Crossfire
Nekokat Lyrics


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I got the world against my skin
Doing time for the crimes that I never did
I live with it
I'll miss the streets when we were kids
When the birds on the light covered everything
No sundering

{Pre-Chorus: Jordan}
I put my keys in the cupboard
I never went back, we grew up too fast

{Chorus: Jordan}
Now I'm here, but I don't know how
They found me out
They shut me down
Caught in the crossfire
And now, it's swim or drown
I'm sinking down
Caught in the crossfire

All the hours turned to days
And the months turned to years that we threw away
(Threw, threw away, threw, threw away)
I'm not the sinner or the saint
I'm not the robber or the bank
Tell me the way

{Pre-Chorus: Jordan}
I put my keys in the cupboard
I never went back, we grew up too fast

{Chorus: Jordan}
Now I'm here, but I don't know how
They found me out
They shut me down
Caught in the crossfire
And now, it's swim or drown
I'm sinking down
Caught in the crossfire

{Bridge: Jordan, Cameron}
These prayers, wasted on electric saviors
Asking but they do no favors
Caught in the crossfire
(Caught in the crossfire, caught in the crossfire)
These prayers, wasted on electric saviors
Asking but they do no favors
Caught in the crossfire
(Caught in the crossfire, caught in the crossfire)

{Chorus: Jordan, Cameron}
Now I'm here, but I don't know how
They found me out
They shut me down
Caught in the crossfire
And now, it's swim or drown
I'm sinking down
Caught in the crossfire
Now I'm here, but I don't know how
(Tough love, no help from anyone)
They found me out
(Tough love, no help from anyone)
They shut me down
(I need someone, anyone)
(Caught in the crossfire, caught in the crossfire)
Oh, and now, it's swim or drown
(Tough love, no help from anyone)
I'm sinking down
(Tough love, no help from anyone)
(I need someone, anyone)
(Caught in the crossfire, caught in the crossfire)
Oh, anyone

{Outro: Cameron}
Tough love, no help from anyone
Tough love, no help from anyone
I need someone, anyone
Caught in the crossfire, caught in the crossfire
Oh, tough love, no help from anyone




Tough love, no help from anyone
I need someone, anyone

Overall Meaning

The song "Crossfire" by Nekokat is a powerful ballad about feeling trapped and helpless, struggling with the consequences of one's actions and the judgment of society. The first verse describes the singer as being persecuted unjustly, serving time for crimes they did not commit. Despite this, they live with it and miss the freedom and simplicity of their childhood, when everything was covered by the light and nothing was broken or divided. The pre-chorus gives a hint of regret, as the singer remembers putting their keys away and never going back, a metaphor for abandoning their innocence and youthful dreams. The chorus expresses their current situation, feeling caught in the crossfire of their past and present, unable to escape and being shut down by those who judge them. They are forced to swim or drown, with no option of help or redemption. The bridge talks about the futility of prayer and faith, when there is only electricity and machines to hear them. They need someone to save them, but everyone seems to offer tough love and no mercy. The last part echoes the same sentiment, as the singer pleads for anyone to hear them and help them from the crossfire.


The song deals with themes of guilt, regret, imprisonment, and isolation, using powerful metaphors and emotional lyrics. The use of electric saviors and tough love suggests a modern setting where technology and indifference rule over compassion and empathy. The chorus is repeated twice, emphasizing the desperation and hopelessness of the situation. The outro by Cameron echoes the same sentiment, highlighting the lack of support and the need for someone, anyone to reach out and break the crossfire.


Line by Line Meaning

I got the world against my skin
Feeling like the world is against me


Doing time for the crimes that I never did
Being punished (emotionally) for things I did not do


I live with it
Having to deal with the consequences of false accusations


I'll miss the streets when we were kids
Longing for a simpler time


When the birds on the light covered everything
Recalling a peaceful moment


No sundering
There was no conflict


I put my keys in the cupboard
I left my past behind


I never went back, we grew up too fast
I didn't dwell on the past because time moves quickly


Now I'm here, but I don't know how
Feeling lost and unsure of how I got to my current circumstances


They found me out
Being exposed for something that is not true


They shut me down
Being silenced and not allowed to defend myself


Caught in the crossfire
Being caught up in a conflict that is not my fault


And now, it's swim or drown
Having to fight for my survival


I'm sinking down
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless


All the hours turned to days
Time passes quickly


And the months turned to years that we threw away (Threw, threw away, threw, threw away)
Realizing that time has passed and things were not accomplished


I'm not the sinner or the saint
I'm not all good or all bad


I'm not the robber or the bank
I'm not in the business of stealing or lending money


Tell me the way
Asking for guidance


These prayers, wasted on electric saviors
Turning to technology or false idols for help


Asking but they do no favors
Not getting the help or answers I need


Oh, and now, it's swim or drown
Needing to survive on my own


I need someone, anyone
Desperately needing support or help


Tough love, no help from anyone
Having to deal with harsh realities and no assistance


Caught in the crossfire, caught in the crossfire
Feeling trapped in the middle of a conflict




Contributed by Josiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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