The discography of Helmet boasts eight studio albums and two compilation albums. Following their initial release, "Strap It On" (1990), through Amphetamine Reptile, Helmet inked a deal with Interscope Records, leading to three albums under the label, notably the highly successful "Meantime" (1992). While their subsequent works, "Betty" (1994) and "Aftertaste" (1997), achieved considerable success, they fell short of matching the critical and popular acclaim garnered by "Meantime." After disbanding in 1998, Helmet regrouped in 2004 and has since presented four additional albums: "Size Matters" (2004), "Monochrome" (2006), "Seeing Eye Dog" (2010), and "Dead to the World" (2016). Currently, the band is actively engaged in the creation of their ninth studio album.
Discography
Strap It On (1990)
Meantime (1992)
Betty (1994)
Aftertaste (1997)
Size Matters (2004)
Monochrome (2006)
Seeing Eye Dog (2010)
Dead to the World (2016)
Monochrome
Helmet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like reading your mind
Everybody's got opinions,
Well I know I've got mine
We're running in place, ain't you tired?
Just make up your mind there
We're only running in place
I know you don't deserve it
You needed someone to love
One more opportunity for somebody to love
We're running in place, ain't you tired?
Just make up your mind there
We're only running in place
Hey, are you tired?
Will you disappear when the world is here?
Will you run for cover?
Have you taken aim, found someone to blame?
Does it make it feel better?
You're alright now, you're better
Whatever
We're running in place, ain't you tired?
Just make up your mind there
We're only running in place
Hey, are you tired?
We're running in place
Just make up your mind there
We're only running place
Hey, are you tired?
You're my monochrome
Yes, my monochrome
The lyrics of the song "Monochrome" by Helmet feature a recurring theme of feeling stuck in a repetitive cycle. The first few lines of the song indicate that the singer is able to understand the thoughts and opinions of another person, suggesting a close relationship or at least a strong sense of empathy. However, despite this connection, the singer seems to recognize that everyone is trapped in their own mental loops, with the repetition of the phrase "running in place" serving as a metaphor for this feeling of stagnation.
The chorus poses the question "ain't you tired?" which can be interpreted in a few ways. On one level, it's a genuine inquiry about the other person's well-being - are they physically exhausted from all the running in place they're doing? But it can also be seen as a commentary on the futility of the situation. If we're all just running in place, aren't we bound to get tired of it eventually?
The final verse of the song has a slightly different tone, with the singer asking if the other person will "disappear when the world is here." This line suggests a fear of abandonment or isolation, with the idea that the other person only exists when there's something external (like "the world") to validate their existence. The verse ends with a somewhat resigned tone, acknowledging that blaming others for our problems might feel satisfying but it doesn't actually accomplish anything.
Overall, the lyrics of "Monochrome" paint a picture of mental and emotional stagnation, with the singer highlighting the repetitive cycles that we all fall into as we try to navigate our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I can fill in your blanks here
I understand you completely
Just like reading your mind
I can anticipate your thoughts and feelings
Everybody's got opinions,
People have differing thoughts and feelings
Well I know I've got mine
And I have my own beliefs about things
We're running in place, ain't you tired?
We're not really moving forward, don't you feel exhausted?
Just make up your mind there
Decide on what you want
We're only running in place
We're not making any real progress
Hey, are you tired?
Don't you feel exhausted from all of this?
I know you don't deserve it
I know you don't deserve to be unhappy
You needed someone to love
You just needed someone to show you love and attention
One more opportunity for somebody to love
I'm offering myself as that person
Will you disappear when the world is here?
Will you hide away when things get tough?
Will you run for cover?
Will you try to avoid dealing with things?
Have you taken aim, found someone to blame?
Have you found someone else to blame for your problems?
Does it make it feel better?
Does blaming others make you feel good?
You're alright now, you're better
You're okay and improving
Whatever
I don't care either way
You're my monochrome
You're the only one for me, in all your simplicity and uniformity
Yes, my monochrome
Yes, I'm sure of it
Contributed by Callie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.