Describing the group Listener, a few years ago, would have involved discuss… Read Full Bio ↴Describing the group Listener, a few years ago, would have involved discussing two guys, a guitar, a macbook, and a washing machine; an explanation that would turn the head of even the most avant-garde fans of music. Listener has now evolved into a full fledged rock and roll power trio with vocalist Dan Smith playing bass and brass, guitarist Christin Nelson behind the monstrous musical arrangements, and drummer Kris Rochelle pounding the skins as if the ghost of John Bonham haunted his dreams. With thought provoking stage banter, music that keeps your mind busy, and words that quickly take hold of your heart, Listener is a near perfect balance of what words and music are supposed to be.

Death By Shotgun
Listener Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

He's been out of work for months, but still dresses for the office and kisses his wife goodbye, and heads for his park bench. Every morning briefcase in hand, just can't seem to tell her, inside he's no longer a man. He looks through the paper convinced that nobody wants him hands to his side in surrender, chest caved in. His eyes half open, not tired, but not awake, and he spends his days hoping for an end to the headache. and he writes it all down, about everything and nothing talks about his kids, and how he wants to leave 'em something. He's got a thing for pain, and blocks it all with his heart, and to keep from going insane, he puts it all in his art. and that eases his mind, but it never lasts long he keeps repeating to himself: you gotta be strong, you gotta be strong. But he just can't seem to put it all together tries to think of the ways that it could all be better. His family and his life no longer compel him he talks to himself, and says: you gotta swim. He's tired of the sickness and begs for the insulin. Tries to keep above water, prays for the will to win. He wants to be a good father, but he knows that he's not one, and dreams of eating a barrel full of death by shotgun.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Death By Shotgun" by Listener paint a vivid picture of a man who is struggling with his sense of worth and purpose in life. Despite being out of work for months, he still dresses in business attire and goes through the motions of heading to work every morning, but inside, he feels like he's no longer a man. He spends his days sitting on a park bench, feeling like he's surrendered to the idea that nobody wants him.

The man writes down his thoughts and feelings, hoping to find some relief from the pain he's experiencing. He talks about his children, recognizing that he wants to leave something for them, but also struggling with the idea that he's not a good father. He has a love-hate relationship with the pain he feels, using his art as a way to express and block it all at the same time.

Throughout the song, the man repeats to himself that he needs to be strong, but he can't seem to put it all together. He dreams of ending his life by suicide, specifically by "death by shotgun," highlighting just how deep his pain and hopelessness runs. The lyrics are powerful and evocative, highlighting the struggles that many people face with mental health issues and the crushing weight of feeling worthless.

Line by Line Meaning

He's been out of work for months, but still dresses for the office and kisses his wife goodbye, and heads for his park bench.
Despite being unemployed for months, he still follows his daily routine of dressing up, saying goodbye to his wife, and going to the park, as if he had to go to work.

Every morning briefcase in hand, just can't seem to tell her, inside he's no longer a man.
He carries a briefcase every morning, unable to express to his wife that he feels like he's lost his sense of manhood.

He looks through the paper convinced that nobody wants him hands to his side in surrender, chest caved in.
As he reads the newspaper, he feels certain that he is unwanted, and gives up with his hands by his side and his chest sunken in.

His eyes half open, not tired, but not awake, and he spends his days hoping for an end to the headache.
He spends his days barely alert, hoping for an end to the pain he feels in his head.

and he writes it all down, about everything and nothing talks about his kids, and how he wants to leave 'em something.
He puts his thoughts down on paper, writing about anything and everything, even his desire to leave something behind for his children.

He's got a thing for pain, and blocks it all with his heart, and to keep from going insane, he puts it all in his art.
He has a tendency to dwell on his pain, but shields himself with his emotions and channels his feelings into his art, to prevent himself from losing his mind.

and that eases his mind, but it never lasts long he keeps repeating to himself: you gotta be strong, you gotta be strong.
Although his art brings him temporary relief, his mindset is still plagued by anxiety, constantly reminding himself that he needs to be strong.

But he just can't seem to put it all together tries to think of the ways that it could all be better.
He struggles to make sense of his situation, attempting to think of ways to improve his circumstances.

His family and his life no longer compel him he talks to himself, and says: you gotta swim.
He no longer feels a sense of purpose and motivation from his family life, and tries to encourage himself to keep moving forward, to 'swim' through his struggles.

He's tired of the sickness and begs for the insulin. Tries to keep above water, prays for the will to win.
Sick and exhausted with his life, he wishes for a cure, striving to stay afloat and praying for the strength to persevere.

He wants to be a good father, but he knows that he's not one, and dreams of eating a barrel full of death by shotgun.
Despite wanting to be a good father, he feels incapable of achieving that goal, and fantasizes about ending his life with a shotgun blast.

Contributed by Maya T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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