Waves
Man-To-Man Lyrics
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But if we get to digging to the bottom of the stack
We'll sell it to the youth and you never know, maybe
You'll get back home and you'll see your baby, oh
We'll just act like we care
All we're needing is a reason, it don't need to be clear
Someone's got to die and you don't have to love him
But the military's still got more in its budget, oh
We always need more next year
No one cares about the waves
At the bottom of the ocean
And at the bottom of the ocean
It's always blue
No one will remember
'Cause nothing lasts forever
And everybody's looking
For somebody to use
When you don't bring them home and the war hasn't ended
There's still money there and that money needs spending
The powers that be, we got to do what we do
If they never know it then they'll never feel used, oh
Like I often do
To all the pretty girls out there looking for heartache
Crying, "All I wanted is to be your baby"
And all the pretty girls out there living with heartache
Crying 'cause they're never going to see their baby, oh
We just act like we care
No one cares about the waves
At the bottom of the ocean
And at the bottom of the ocean
It's always blue
No one will remember
'Cause nothing lasts forever
And everybody's looking
For somebody to use
No one will remember
'Cause nothing lasts forever
The world is always changing
And it's always blue
And it's always blue
The lyrics to Man-To-Man's song "Waves" are a poignant commentary on the senselessness of war and the way in which those in power use young soldiers and manipulate public sentiment to perpetuate an endless cycle of conflict. The first verse sets up the idea that when there is no clear enemy to fight, those in power will create one and manufacture a reason to go to war, all the while presenting a façade of caring about the wellbeing of soldiers and their families. The second verse speaks to the fact that once the war is underway, the public is fed stories and images designed to elicit fear and support the efforts of the military. The chorus drives home the idea that in the end, nobody cares about the devastation that war brings and that it is always the innocent who suffer.
The repeated imagery of waves at the bottom of the ocean underscores the message of impermanence and futility. It suggests that just like the waves that crash and dissipate, so too do the lives lost in war and the stories of those affected by it. The line "everybody's looking for somebody to use" speaks to the idea that in a capitalist society, even war and conflict can be commodified and used to enrich those in power.
Overall, the song's message carries a sense of resignation and disappointment that the cycle of war seems difficult to break. The repeated refrain of "we just act like we care" underscores the emptiness and hypocrisy of political rhetoric around war and serves as a reminder that the human cost of conflict is always staggering.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't fight a war with nobody to fight back
Wars are only possible when there is someone to fight against.
But if we get to digging to the bottom of the stack
If we investigate deeply enough, we may find hidden motivations for war.
We'll sell it to the youth and you never know, maybe
We can use propaganda to convince young people to support the war effort, even if they don't fully understand it.
You'll get back home and you'll see your baby, oh
The end goal of a soldier fighting in a war is to return home to their loved ones.
We'll just act like we care
Those in power may pretend to care about the soldiers and their families, but it is often just a facade.
All we're needing is a reason, it don't need to be clear
Those in power only need a vague justification for war, no matter how flimsy or uncertain it may be.
Singing songs to the news, it can play to their fears
The media can be manipulated to spread fear and convince people to support a war effort.
Someone's got to die and you don't have to love him
Casualties are inevitable in war, and soldiers may not even know the people they are fighting against.
But the military's still got more in its budget, oh
War is expensive, and there is always a desire for more money to fund the military.
We always need more next year
The military-industrial complex is always pushing for more funding and greater resources, regardless of the consequences.
No one cares about the waves
The consequences of war, like the waves at the bottom of the ocean, are often ignored and forgotten.
At the bottom of the ocean, It's always blue
The problems caused by war are always present, even if they are not immediately visible.
No one will remember 'Cause nothing lasts forever
The true cost of war is often not realized until long after it has ended.
And everybody's looking For somebody to use
Those in power are always looking for groups or individuals to exploit in order to further their goals.
When you don't bring them home and the war hasn't ended
When soldiers are left overseas and the war is ongoing, there is always money to be made by those in charge.
There's still money there and that money needs spending
Even after the fighting has stopped, there may be financial incentives to keep the war going or to allocate funds to other military endeavors.
The powers that be, we got to do what we do
Those in charge will always do what they feel is necessary to maintain their power and control.
If they never know it then they'll never feel used, oh
If people don't realize that they are being exploited, they can't feel deceived or used.
Like I often do
The singer may feel used or deceived by those in power, as well.
To all the pretty girls out there looking for heartache
There are always vulnerable individuals, like these girls, who can be coerced into supporting a war effort.
Crying, 'All I wanted is to be your baby'
These girls may be promised love, attention, or support in exchange for their loyalty.
And all the pretty girls out there living with heartache
The consequences of war are often felt by those who are left behind, like these girls.
Crying 'cause they're never going to see their baby, oh
The ultimate price of war is the loss of loved ones, and these girls may never see their loved ones return.
No one will remember
The sacrifices made by soldiers, loved ones, and others are often forgotten or ignored.
The world is always changing
The world, like the waves of the ocean, is perpetually in motion and changing, regardless of the cost of war.
And it's always blue
No matter what happens, the world and its problems will always be there, just like the blue of the ocean.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ASA TACCONE, BRIAN BURTON, MATTHEW COMPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind