Minimal Compact were a new wave band, formed in 1981 in Israel by the artis… Read Full Bio ↴Minimal Compact were a new wave band, formed in 1981 in Israel by the artists Sami Birnbach (lyrics and vocals), Berry Sakharoff (guitar), and Malka Spiegel (who learned to play bass guitar after joining the band). At first the band operated under the name S.O.B, and later (joined by Rami Fortis and Max Franken) become one of the very first artists signed to the Belgian Crammed label. the band gained fame in the Indie Rock scene, releasing several albums (some produced by Colin Newman of Wire, Speigel's husband). their song "When I Go" appears on the "Wings of Desire" soundtrack by Wim Wenders.

After the group disbanded in 1988, Fortis and Sakharoff came back to Israel, releasing several albums (some together, some solo) and became main figures in the Israeli rock scene.

Is It So?
Minimal Compact Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We live, we love we don't know what to be
Walking through this desert called reality
And I wonder if we see the sky?
If the well of hope is running dry
We push, we fall, we don't know where to be
Walking and stumbling through reality
But I wonder if we see the sky?
If we see the creatures crawl and fly?

How to see it? How to be it?
Is it simple? I think we should know by now

Where are you going? What are you knowing?
Is it simple? I think we should know by now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Is It So?" by Minimal Compact convey a sense of confusion and existential uncertainty. The opening lines suggest a feeling of aimlessness and lack of direction that plagues human existence, with the repeated phrase "we don't know what to be" indicating a search for purpose and identity. This search is further emphasized by the metaphor of "walking through this desert called reality," suggesting that life can be barren and desolate without a sense of something greater to strive for.

However, the song does not offer any clear answers, instead opting to present more questions and doubts. The singer wonders whether we are even aware of the world around us, asking if we see the sky and the creatures that inhabit it. The line "if the well of hope is running dry" further adds to a sense of despair, hinting that even the possibility of something better may be fading away.

The chorus then asks the ultimate question: how do we find meaning in this chaos? Is it something simple that we should have figured out by now? This question is left unanswered, inviting the listener to contemplate their own search for meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it.

Line by Line Meaning

We live, we love we don't know what to be
We exist, we have affection, but we are uncertain about our purpose

Walking through this desert called reality
Navigating through life, which can feel like a barren wasteland

And I wonder if we see the sky?
Questioning if we're truly present and aware of the world around us

If the well of hope is running dry
Uncertainty about whether we can maintain optimism and positivity

We push, we fall, we don't know where to be
Struggling and experiencing obstacles along our path with a lack of direction

Walking and stumbling through reality
Continuing to move forward, even with difficulty and imperfection

But I wonder if we see the sky?
Reiterating the question of whether we're truly conscious and engaged with the natural world

If we see the creatures crawl and fly?
Questioning if we recognize and appreciate the diversity of life on Earth

How to see it? How to be it?
Asking how to truly observe and understand our surroundings and how to embody positive attributes and behaviors

Is it simple? I think we should know by now
Wondering if the answers to these questions are straightforward and if we should have already figured it out

Where are you going? What are you knowing?
Asking ourselves what our goals are and what knowledge we've gained

Is it simple? I think we should know by now
Repeating the question of whether the path forward can be easily discerned and if we should have already recognized it

Contributed by Hunter S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS