The New Zealand rock band have released three albums - 2004's platinum selling 'You Are Here', 2007's multi-platinum selling 'Second Hand Planet', and 2010's 'Until The End Of Time'.
Opshop were winners of the coveted 'Peoples Choice Award' at the 2007 New Zealand Music Awards. Also in 2007 their single “Maybe” achieved the honour of being the biggest song at New Zealand radio ever, holding the #1 most-played spot for 12 consecutive weeks.
Opshop describe their sound like this: "An equal opportunistic grab bag of semi-funkster pop and crackle 'muesli' rock. We like playing music that sounds nice and loud. And dirty and quiet and every nook 'n' cranny in between. If you're not sure what it is. Its likely to be ours".
BEING
Opshop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Locked in a strange town
They'll make room for us somehow
Maybe a cheap caravan on the highest hill
With a view
Where I can float away with you
Away from the insides of this steeple
[Chorus]
And who
Who should come running now
Who would refuse to speak at every letter
You know it's better to move
The air will freeze before it gets better
But I can thaw
I can see the earth is calm but about to roar
From both inside and out my head's up in a rain cloud
And there's not much to laugh about
But then one day
There'll be nothin' but this thing we can't do without
And you
You should come running now
Yeah you
Your time is running out
It's better to lose
You know the air will freeze before it gets better
Hoo… huh…
Ooh… ooh… woah… oh…
And we don't wanna go to war again
Don't wanna go to war again
We don't wanna go to war again
Don't wanna go to war again
We don't wanna go to war again
Don't wanna go to war again… oh…
And you
You should come running now
Yeah you
Who'd refuse to speak at every letter
You know it's better to lose
You know the air will freeze before it gets better
Being
Being left with barbed wire and a shoe-string
We're just being
Being left with barbed wire and a shoe-string
We're just being
Being left with barbed wire and a shoe-string
We're just being
Just being
The song “Being” by Opshop is about the desire to escape a town and the struggles of life. The verses describe feeling trapped in a strange place and longing for a way out, possibly to a higher hill where they can escape with a loved one. The chorus then asks who should come running now, implying the need for someone to help with the escape. The song acknowledges the difficulties of taking action in difficult times, as the air will freeze before it gets better, but also suggests that the singer is ready to fight and see the world more clearly. The bridge describes the singer’s state of mind as cloudy and uncertain, but hopeful that one day they will find something to strive for. The repeated refrain of “being” at the end of the song underscores the idea that life is a continual state of being, even if it’s not always easy.
One interpretation of the song could be that it is about mental health struggles, as the lyrics suggest feeling stuck or trapped in one’s own mind. The idea of being “locked in a strange town” could be a metaphor for feeling isolated or alone within one’s own thoughts, while the desire to escape with a “cheap caravan on the highest hill” may represent the wish to break free from these mental constraints. The suggestion to “move” and not be too attached to material possessions could represent the need to prioritize one’s own well-being over other concerns.
Line by Line Meaning
Locked in a strange town
Trapped in an unfamiliar environment
They'll make room for us somehow
We will find a place to belong
Maybe a cheap caravan on the highest hill
Possibly a modest home in an elevated location
With a view
Overlooking a scenic landscape
Where I can float away with you
A peaceful escape with a loved one
Away from the insides of this steeple
Apart from the restrictive beliefs of society
When and where we're getting old and feeble
In the future, when our bodies weaken with age
And who
Who will come to our aid
Who should come running now
Who is obligated to help us
Who would refuse to speak at every letter
Who would remain silent in times of need
You know it's better to move
It's preferable to take action
The air will freeze before it gets better
The situation will worsen before it improves
But I can thaw
I have the ability to bring warmth and hope
I can see the earth is calm but about to roar
I sense an impending upheaval
From both inside and out my head's up in a rain cloud
My thoughts are clouded and heavy
And there's not much to laugh about
There isn't anything funny in the situation
But then one day
One day in the future
There'll be nothin' but this thing we can't do without
There will be only one thing we cannot live without
Your time is running out
You need to act quickly
And we don't wanna go to war again
We want to avoid conflict
Being left with barbed wire and a shoe-string
Stranded with minimal resources and obstacles
We're just being
We are simply existing
Contributed by Lillian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ngawaka19
Totally brilliant, one of my very most favorite songs that I thrash all the time...... turn it up...............
@buzzbros2002
great song. Thanks for the upload
@dalzone
their best song by far.end of.
@bollocknaked1975
Great song.Looks like Davey klinefelds playing the drums.
@Cartoon_Physics
"And we don't wanna go to Oregon, we don't wanna go to Oregon. We don't wanna go to Oregon, no, we don't wanna go to Oregon!"
I agree. What a dump.
@NattaShahXOX
nawwww ! I know the little girl who starred in that video in the start ! Shes sitting right next to me ! HAAHAHA hi ali !