Birth of Tension
Overkill Lyrics

you're killin'me, your mouth is movin'
The singer is being overwhelmed by the words of the person they are talking to.

but I cannot hear you speak
Despite the person talking, the singer is not receiving any important or useful information.

life's a tragedy. go on livin'
The reality of life is difficult and negative, but the singer expresses acceptance to keep going regardless.

in a world not for the weak
The artist acknowledges the harshness and unfairness of the world they live in, which often requires strength and resilience to survive in.

keep your dreams inside your heart
The artist encourages keeping personal goals and aspirations in mind, even when it is difficult to make them a reality.

never let the pressure tear you apart
The singer warns against allowing the stresses of life to affect one's mental or emotional stability.

truth is whispered on a breath
The most honest statements are sometimes only said in a soft or quiet tone.

loud enough to cover the smell of death
This line reiterates that the truth can be difficult or painful to acknowledge, which can cause people to ignore or overlook it.

never thought too important to mention
The artist reflects on a lack of attention or thought to a specific topic earlier.

livin' through the birth, the birth of tension
The artist describes the experience of being alive during high-stress situations that can breed anxiety or unease.

livin' with the tension, tension, tension.
The repetition of 'tension' suggests that the singer is consistently surrounded by difficult, uncomfortable situations.

don't you understand too much tension, snap
The artist expresses concern that too much stress can be the cause of a breakdown or collapse.

where you lose your grip
When people are overwhelmed, they may lose control or stability in their lives.

too many demands start at birth, snap
The pressure and expectations put on people often start at a young age and can eventually lead to a person feeling overwhelmed or breaking down.

from the bomb you're ripped
The devastation of these expectations can feel like a significant explosion or a heavy weight pressing down on oneself.

leave your dreams inside, behind
The artist suggests that it may be necessary to let go of some personal goals in order to survive in a difficult environment.

never had a reason that you'll never find
The artist acknowledges that there may be no clear explanation or justification for the harshness of life and the pressures that come with it.

tension builds another way
The singer hints that the tension they experience may not be easy to identify or define, but instead may manifest in unexpected ways.

gonna make you all go away
This line is somewhat unclear but suggests that the tension and stress of life can cause some people to 'fade away' or disappear.

too much tension, all around
The pervasive and overwhelming nature of tension is emphasized in this line.

too much tension, bring you down
The artist warns that too much stress can negatively impact one's mental and physical well-being.

all the pressures in the narrow mind
The artist suggests that many of the expectations and pressures people face may be narrow-minded or limited in their scope or reach.

all the reasons you'll never find
The singer expresses that it may be difficult or impossible to fully understand or come to terms with the pitfalls and stressors of life.

did you kill your father, sleep with your mother
The artist lists provocative and taboo actions that might suggest an unusually difficult or complex life experience.

idolize your sister, jealous your brother
The singer suggests that even more 'common' or acceptable emotions like admiration and jealousy can be amplified or distorted due to the pressure of life.

did ya kick the dog, were you beat a strap
The singer implies that abuse and harm can also occur in one's past or present, further adding to the difficulty of life.

were you really be abused, were you fakin'
The singer suggests uncertainty or confusion over whether the abuse experienced was genuine or not.

all that too tense
The chorus briefly summarizes the various ways in which life can be difficult and stressful, seemingly emphasizing that too much of it can be overwhelming.

you're killin' me so many ways
The artist is again feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by the difficulty of life.

so little time to think
The singer expresses a sense of urgency or a feeling of being rushed to process the stresses and strains of life.

life's catastrophe, my glass empty
The singer compares life to a catastrophe (likely a natural disaster), and further implies that their own resources or strength are depleted like an empty glass.

and I really need a drink
The artist suggests that they require some sort of relief or 'escape' from the stress of life, possibly through alcohol or other means.

movin' all so very quick
The speed and pace of life continue to exhaust and stress the artist.

movin' so fast that it makes me sick
The feeling of movement and change in their life is causing physical discomfort and nausea.

let me outta here
The singer expresses the desire to escape from their difficult surroundings or to find some sort of reprieve from the tension.

livin' ain't livin' with the tension and the fear
The artist concludes that life is difficult and unenjoyable when consumed by stress and anxiety.