Waiting for Black Metal Records to Come in the Mail
Have a Nice Life Lyrics
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Is that, the stars can swim a thousand dark miles
Before they ever see the floor again
With their backs against the wall on these last days
But then, we knew that would happen anyway
You drop that pitch-black pall
Over us, one and all, again
To propel your national machines
A thousand tiny lives
Disappear into the black stretch
I guess I thought I'd feel something but I didn't
Yes, that's a myth
I would give anything
For a cool glass of water
Without this poisonous oil
No
It's never going to be good enough
There's no air anywhere
It's all money now
Wouldn't you do the same?
"Waiting for Black Metal Records to Come in the Mail" is a melancholic and introspective song about the state of society and the individual's place in it. The first few lines paint a picture of a world that has lost its sense of direction and purpose, with "all ceilings, all skies" representing the universal nature of this feeling. The following lines use the image of stars swimming in darkness to convey a sense of hopelessness, as if even the celestial bodies are lost and have no clear way of finding their way back.
The next lines suggest a sense of impending doom or collapse, as the singer notes that "we knew that would happen anyway" in response to some unspecified event. The metaphor of a "pitch-black pall" being dropped over everyone evokes a sense of suffocation or despair, as if everything has suddenly become darker and more oppressive. The reference to national machines and diseases suggests that this darkness may be the result of human actions, with governments and corporations prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of the people.
The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is resigned to this state of affairs, recognizing that it is "all money now" and that there is no escaping the corrupting influence of power and wealth. The rhetorical question of "Wouldn't you do the same?" suggests that the singer understands why people act in self-interested ways, even while lamenting the consequences of those actions.
Line by Line Meaning
What has become of all of us, all ceilings, all skies
Reflecting on the state of the world and how it has affected every aspect of our lives.
Is that, the stars can swim a thousand dark miles
Stars can travel a long distance in the darkness before they are seen again.
Before they ever see the floor again
Before they can return to the ground.
With their backs against the wall on these last days
Facing a difficult situation in the final days.
But then, we knew that would happen anyway
Acknowledging that this outcome was expected.
You drop that pitch-black pall
Referring to the darkness and negativity surrounding us.
Over us, one and all, again
Continuously affecting all of us.
To propel your national machines
Serving the interests of the nation at the expense of the people.
Giving us all the disease, but not the vaccine
Giving us the problem without the solution.
A thousand tiny lives
Referring to the loss of life caused by the negative impact on the environment.
Disappear into the black stretch
Disappearing into the darkness of the unknown.
I guess I thought I'd feel something but I didn't
Feeling numb to the situation despite expecting a stronger emotional response.
Yes, that's a myth
Acknowledging that certain beliefs or expectations are not accurate.
I would give anything
Desperately wanting to change the situation.
For a cool glass of water
Longing for something simple and pure amidst the chaos.
Without this poisonous oil
Without the negative impact of pollution and destruction caused by the oil industry.
No
Realizing that this is not possible.
It's never going to be good enough
Feeling like nothing will ever be able to truly improve the situation.
There's no air anywhere
Feeling suffocated and trapped in a negative environment.
It's all money now
Recognizing that monetary gain takes precedence over the well-being of individuals and the environment.
Wouldn't you do the same?
Questioning whether others would make the same choices given the opportunity.
Contributed by Ava N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.