Wasteland
Marginal Man / Artificial Peace Lyrics
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Ignoring everyone I meet
Won't speak to them, they can't see me
In isolated apathy
We've got two cars and four T.V.s
My whole life is planned out for me
I'll get a job and get a wife
In the wasteland I'll spend my life
Sterile walls close in on me
Pre-fab junkyard, suburban wasteland
I can't get out, I can't get free
I'll see my shrink three times a week
And lean on him, so I stay weak
And if I find I still can't cope
I'll tranquilize myself with dope
The song "Wasteland" by Marginal Man / Artificial Peace is a commentary on the emptiness of suburban living in America. The lyrics describe a person walking down a darkened street, ignoring everyone they meet, and existing in an isolated apathy. The reference to two cars and four T.V.s highlights a culture where material possessions are prioritized over genuine human connection and emotional fulfillment. The singer's life is planned out for them, with the expectation of getting a job and a wife, but it's clear that this existence is devoid of any meaning or purpose. The suburban wasteland is depicted as a sterile, pre-fab junkyard that closes in on the singer, trapping them in a life they can't escape from.
The line "I'll see my shrink three times a week and lean on him, so I stay weak" speaks to the culture of overmedication and the tendency to use therapy as a crutch rather than a tool for self-improvement. The reference to tranquilizing oneself with dope highlights the desperation of this existence and the need to numb oneself to the emptiness that surrounds them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walking down a darkened street
I'm navigating my life's uncertainty
Ignoring everyone I meet
I'm afraid of social bonds
Won't speak to them, they can't see me
I'm striving to remain indifferent
In isolated apathy
I've lost the ability to express emotions
We've got two cars and four T.V.s
Materialism defines our social status
My whole life is planned out for me
My future lies in society's expectation of me
I'll get a job and get a wife
Conventional route to so-called success in life
In the wasteland I'll spend my life
The ordinary, unfulfilling lifestyle instilled by society
I'm living in a suburban wasteland
My existence is trapped in the suburban community
Sterile walls close in on me
The lack of vibrancy or liveliness is suffocating
Pre-fab junkyard, suburban wasteland
With repetitive, dull architecture choking my dreams
I can't get out, I can't get free
The feeling of being trapped with no way out
I'll see my shrink three times a week
Therapy to alleviate the void in me
And lean on him, so I stay weak
I'm vulnerable and dependent on outside help
And if I find I still can't cope
As a desperate measure to survive
I'll tranquilize myself with dope
I'll abuse substances to numb my misery
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL LAYUS, JARED PALOMAR, JOSIAH ROZENCWAJG, JUSTIN SOUTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind