Unending Ache
Ghostlimb Lyrics
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slowly by the businesses sprang up and preyed upon
the postwar surplus crumpled in our gloves
oh what a glorious experience
an ineffable gift
your eyes and ears constantly barraged
and smeared shut with shit
we are happy to fuel a culture industry
when a flash in the pan misses the synapse of appeal
way up in the ether of simulation and the real
until my overloaded ears close shut
and my heat dissipates just enough
I'll have the same unending ache
I'll have the same unending ache of dissent and disgust
Context:
Unending Ache
After World War II, a growing economy helped produce a new youth culture eager to spend their disposable income. Fortunately, the 60-year business grab known as "the music industry," which arose to manipulate and take advantage of this, has hit a figurative brick wall. The use of different media outlets has allowed a more horizontal situation to develop where people can bypass a large portion of the smarmy bastards who continue to control the garbage foisted upon us as music. Hopefully, the continuity of cooperation, direct control and participation will keep the supportive network alive the world over.
The lyrics of Ghostlimb's song Unending Ache offer a poignant critique of the consumer culture that emerged in the postwar period. The song highlights the proliferation of businesses that prey upon the surplus created by the war and presents the experience of this consumer culture as both glorious and ineffable. However, the lyrics also emphasize the constant barrage of sensory input that accompanies this culture, ultimately leading to a feeling of dissent and disgust.
The song suggests that the music industry is a key player in this culture, fueling a need for ever new products to keep up with the pace of consumption. However, the lyrics also suggest that this industry is hit by a figurative brick wall, as people are now able to bypass the smarmy bastards who continue to control the garbage foisted upon us as music, thanks to the use of different media outlets. The song highlights the importance of direct control and participation in keeping the supportive network alive and continuing to resist the forces of consumerism and conformity.
Overall, Ghostlimb's Unending Ache is a powerful statement on the dangers of consumer culture and the importance of dissent and resistance in the face of these forces.
Line by Line Meaning
As time went by
As the days, months, and years passed
slowly by the businesses sprang up and preyed upon
The music industry began to emerge and exploit
the postwar surplus crumpled in our gloves
People had more money to spend and disposable income
oh what a glorious experience
This seemed like a wonderful thing at first
an ineffable gift
A seemingly indescribable present
your eyes and ears constantly barraged
Bombs of media are constantly thrown at you
and smeared shut with shit
The media is nonsense and is full of lies
we are happy to fuel a culture industry
The music industry is happy to support itself
in need of new product
It always needs something new to sell
when a flash in the pan misses the synapse of appeal
When something doesn't catch fire fast enough
way up in the ether of simulation and the real
In the realm of the artificial and the genuine
until my overloaded ears close shut
Until I can't take the noise anymore
and my heat dissipates just enough
And my anger cools slightly
I'll have the same unending ache
I'll still have the same sense of dissatisfaction
I'll have the same unending ache of dissent and disgust
My sense of dissent and disgust will remain perpetual
Contributed by Benjamin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.