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.

My Will
Minimal Compact Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't tell you how things should be
how to feel or who to see
I just watch your eyes full of sand
nowhere to crawl nowhere to run
all night I sat by your side
drunk with sadness out of mind
alright I've told a few lies
animating you to call

oh-ah... my will is stronger than me
oh-ah... my will is stronger than me

Broken promises, hearts for sale
dinkey showrooms, pricate hells
certain truths that stay locked, concealed
many mouths that won't hold still
your pride took you for a ride
laughed in your face shook you down
more lies so name your choep price
didn't you say just a while ago

oh-ah... my will is stronger than me
oh-ah... my will is stronger than me

Lyrics from : Amit Kapeta

Overall Meaning

The song "My Will" by Minimal Compact seems to be a reflection on the singer's inability to control the circumstances around them. The lyrics suggest that the singer recognizes that they cannot dictate how others should feel or act, and instead can only observe their actions. The line "I just watch your eyes full of sand" paints a picture of someone who is tired and worn down, perhaps from the struggles of everyday life. The phrase "nowhere to crawl nowhere to run" highlights that feeling of being stuck in a difficult situation.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer has also been struggling, possibly with addiction or depression. They describe themselves as "drunk with sadness out of mind," suggesting that they have been using substances to numb their pain. The line "alright I've told a few lies animating you to call" implies that they have been trying to manipulate someone into reaching out to them. This could be seen as a cry for help, or simply a way of trying to feel less alone.

The chorus, which repeats the phrase "oh-ah... my will is stronger than me," seems to be both an acknowledgment of the singer's weaknesses and a statement of determination to overcome them. The rest of the song highlights the ways in which people can be deceitful and untrustworthy, but in the end, the singer seems to be focusing on their own power to change their circumstances.

Overall, "My Will" is a thought-provoking song that touches on themes of vulnerability, addiction, and the limits of personal agency. Its complex lyrics can be interpreted in a variety of ways, and the emotional intensity of the music perfectly matches the gravity of the subject matter.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't tell you how things should be
I am not capable of advising you on how things should be in your life.

how to feel or who to see
I cannot guide you on how to feel or whom to seek for help.

I just watch your eyes full of sand
I see the sorrow in your eyes and how it’s difficult for you to cope with the struggles of life.

nowhere to crawl nowhere to run
Feeling bound and trapped in the situation, not able to move forward or seek a way out.

all night I sat by your side
I stayed with you for hours supporting you through the tough time.

drunk with sadness out of mind
Overwhelmed by the emotions of sadness, feeling lost in the moment and not thinking straight.

alright I've told a few lies
I admit to having misled you in certain situations.

animating you to call
I encouraged you to reach out to someone, to ease your suffering and share your burden.

oh-ah... my will is stronger than me
I am finding it hard to do what's best for you, as my own will and desires are holding me back.

Broken promises, hearts for sale
People tend to break their promises and sell their emotions just for materialistic benefits or personal gains.

dingy showrooms, pricate hells
There are places that may seem picture-perfect but are actually very dark and shadowy from the inside.

certain truths that stay locked, concealed
There are certain harsh realities that we deliberately choose to keep hidden and never express openly.

many mouths that won't hold still
Many people cannot keep secrets and tend to gossip or reveal confidential information without thinking about its impact on others.

your pride took you for a ride
Your self-respect and ego have made you go down a path that’s harmful or undesirable for you.

laughed in your face shook you down
People may mock or ridicule you when you are down, taking advantage of your weakness or misfortune.

more lies so name your choep price
People may continue to deceive and mislead you in exchange for something they want from you.

didn't you say just a while ago
I remind you of something you had mentioned previously, to show that you are contradicting yourself now.

Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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