A five track release showcasing what the band does best - distinctly dreamy and uplifting electronica; with moments of vocal fragility and dense clouds of synths, juxtaposed against system shaking subs and bass growls.
Powerless
Lilt Lyrics
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As they hammer us all out of our homes again
And I feel like I don't know where to begin
Cause your drunken words will never be enough
You're so powerless
They beat you down to your bones
You feel dangerous
It's so fearless
It's just how the world goes
You're so powerless
Powerless
They're digging up your grave again
As they set you up and sell your name again and again
And I feel like nothing's where it should be
Cause your drunken hate will never be enough
You're so powerless
They beat you down to your bones
You feel dangerous
They break all that you know
It's fearless
It's just how the world goes
You're so powerless
Powerless
([?])
(Nobody's ready
Nobody's ready)
You're so powerless
(Nobody's ready)
They beat you down to your bones
(Nobody's ready)
You feel dangerous
(Nobody's ready)
They break all that you know
(Nobody's ready)
It's all fearless
It's how the world goes
You're so powerless
Powerless
The song "Powerless" by Lilt is a reflection of the power dynamics that exist in society. The lyrics speak of the helplessness felt by those who have been uprooted from their homes due to the construction work going on around them. The feeling of being overwhelmed is further accentuated by the fact that the singer cannot even begin to describe the chaos that surrounds her because the words of the drunken cannot be trusted. The sense of powerlessness is further amplified by the fact that this mayhem is nothing new and will continue to happen in the future, as "it's just how the world goes".
The second verse of the song references the selling of identities and their commodification by the media. The repetition of "they're digging up your grave again" conveys a sense of loss of self and a feeling of being trapped in a system that profits from the exploitation and misidentification of individuals. Once again, the sense of hopelessness is underlined by the singer's feeling that nothing is where it should be and that the hatred of the drunken will never be enough to bring forth any real change.
The chorus of the song deals with the idea that those who have been oppressed and exploited for too long eventually become powerless to fight back against their oppressors. The lyrics suggest that this powerlessness is not just a physical state of being but an emotional and psychological one too. Despite the feeling of being trapped, the song conveys a sense of resilience and determination that suggests that even though some may feel powerless, they are not defeated.
Line by Line Meaning
They're digging up the roads again
The roads are being dug up once more
As they hammer us all out of our homes again
People are being forced out of their homes through the act of relentless hammering
And I feel like I don't know where to begin
I feel lost and helpless, unsure of how to proceed
Cause your drunken words will never be enough
Your inebriated speech is not adequate to address the situation at hand
You're so powerless
You lack the power to effect change
They beat you down to your bones
They have crushed you, both physically and emotionally
You feel dangerous
You may take rash or harmful action, feeling pushed to your limit
They break all that you know
The familiar structures and systems that you rely on are dismantled
It's so fearless
Those with power are not afraid to exert it in a harmful way
It's just how the world goes
Unfortunately, this is the reality of the world we live in
They're digging up your grave again
Your fate is sealed and you are being dug up for the second time
As they set you up and sell your name again and again
You are being exploited by those in power who are selling your identity for profit multiple times
And I feel like nothing's where it should be
Things are disordered and chaotic and I feel lost in the midst of it
Cause your drunken hate will never be enough
Your anger, fueled by alcohol, will not be an effective tool for change
It's all fearless
The powerful continue to exert their power without fear of consequence
You're so powerless
Your lack of power and influence in this situation is palpable
Contributed by Zachary N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.