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".
Big Energy In Little Spaces
Opshop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a despot
He's livin' on borrowed time
In what looks like it once was a parkin' lot
He's thinkin' inside the square
Doesn't care what the square thinks of him
It doesn't have to be like that
With big energy in little spaces
[Chorus]
We'll get to our place
Someday, someday
We won't talk of rain around here
Oh
We'll get to our place
Someday, someday
We'll get our heads out of the sand
But until then
There's still waves rollin'
Backwards into the dark
As far as the eye could see
Mind controllers and wind farms
I saw tragedy
A million doves stuck up in a tree
It doesn't have to be like that
It doesn't have to be, oh
With big energy in little spaces
We'll get to our place (ah…)
Someday, someday
We won't talk of rain around here
Oh-woah
We'll get to our place (ah…)
Someday we'll get there
We'll get our heads out of the sand
Until then…
'Til then…
Oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh
[Music]
We'll get to our place (ah…)
Maybe someday, someday
We won't talk of rain around here
Oh-woah
We'll get to our place (ah…)
Someday we'll get there, we'll
We'll get our heads out of the sand
We'll get our heads out of the sand
We'll get our heads out of the sand
But until then
In "Big Energy In Little Spaces," Opshop sings about a despot in a crowded room who is living on borrowed time in what was once a parking lot. He is thinking inside the box and doesn't care what the box thinks of him. The song suggests that it doesn't have to be like that and we can bring big energy in little spaces. The chorus talks about reaching a place where we won't talk about rain and getting our heads out of the sand, but until then there are still waves rolling backwards into the dark as far as the eye could see, mind controllers and wind farms, and tragedy where a million doves are stuck up in a tree.
The lyrics of this song are open to interpretation and can mean different things to different people. However, one of the clear messages of the song is about pushing beyond boundaries and thinking creatively to make a positive impact. It's about using whatever energy you have, regardless of how small it may seem, to make a difference. The song reminds us that change is possible and to keep pushing towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere in a crowded room
In a room full of people, there is someone, a despot.
There's a despot
Amid this crowded space, there is an individual who wields absolute power and control over others.
He's livin' on borrowed time
This despot is living on borrowed time, which implies that his power is not sustainable in the long run.
In what looks like it once was a parkin' lot
This despot could be in a space that was once a parking lot, indicating how space and location could be transformed and repurposed.
He's thinkin' inside the square
This despot thinks inside the square, which means his thoughts and ideas are still limited by traditional approaches.
Doesn't care what the square thinks of him
Regardless of what people think of him, the despot does not care, implying that he is confident in his power and is willing to assert it regardless of other people's opinions.
It doesn't have to be like that
Despite the current situation, the lyrics suggest that it does not have to be this way, creating a sense of hope.
With big energy in little spaces
The lyrics propose that significant change can be made with even the smallest resources and opportunities, indicating the power of collective action and innovation.
[Chorus] We'll get to our place...
The chorus represents a vision for the future, where there is an ultimate goal or destination while acknowledging the current situation and the need for action.
There's still waves rollin'...
The lyrics create a vivid image of backflowing waves and upsetting natural balances, representing the negative impacts of human activity on nature.
As far as the eye could see...
The language used in this line emphasises how severe the negative effects are and how widespread they have become.
Mind controllers and wind farms
The lyrics touch on technological and psychological manipulation and the potential dangers of relying on technology too much.
I saw tragedy...
This line portrays a deep emotional response to the current state of affairs, suggesting that the issue is not only a matter of facts and figures but also how people perceive and experience it.
A million doves stuck up in a tree
The image of doves stuck in a tree is a metaphor for how societal structures and power dynamics can trap individuals and harm groups of people.
With big energy in little spaces
This line is repeated, reinforcing the message that change can still happen even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
[Chorus] We'll get to our place...
The chorus repeats, emphasising the vision for a better future and the continued need for action.
Until then...
This phrase creates a sense of urgency and calls on listeners to take action now, rather than waiting for change to happen on its own.
Contributed by Samantha N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.