Substitute
Red Cell Lyrics


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I can't raise my voice
until I understand
what is under the bottom
what's in your hand
and my conscious sleep
is awakened away
I am conscious, sleeping
here to stay

I can taste my tear
it's a shallow drop
what is under the bottom
it's over the top
and my conscious fear
will never learn
I am conscious, bleeding
will always yearn

I live my life
on the sharpest knife
and the day I fall
I will land my strife
I will always yearn for a future
and in the day it comes
it will be my land

I can't raise my head
it's so hard to feed
and this isolation
what do I need
I'm awakened and
I am here to stay
feel a serpent tongue
woke up, on my skin
like a broken tone
that glows within
I will never learn
I will always yearn

I live my life
on the sharpest knife
and the day I fall
I will land my strife
I will always yearn for a future




and in the day it comes
it will be my land

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Red Cell's song "Substitute" seem to be exploring the themes of understanding oneself, fear, and the struggle to discover one's purpose. The lines "I can't raise my voice until I understand what is under the bottom, what's in your hand" suggest that the singer is trying to understand the deeper meaning and motivations behind their actions and the actions of others. They are also struggling with fear and the fear of not being able to learn from their mistakes, as evidenced by the line "and my conscious fear will never learn".


The singer also seems to be struggling with feelings of isolation and a sense of not belonging. The line "this isolation, what do I need" suggests that they are searching for connection and meaning in their life.


The chorus, with its repeated phrases "I will always yearn for a future, and in the day it comes, it will be my land," suggests a sense of determination and hope for the future. The singer is acknowledging the difficulties and struggles they are facing, but they are still hopeful that they will find their place and purpose in life.


Overall, the lyrics of "Substitute" are quite introspective and thought-provoking, exploring themes that are relatable to many people.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't raise my voice
I cannot speak up


until I understand
unless I comprehend


what is under the bottom
what lies beneath the surface


what's in your hand
what you hold in your possession


and my conscious sleep
my subconscious state


is awakened away
suddenly brought to attention


I am conscious, sleeping
mentally alert but physically resting


here to stay
not leaving anytime soon


I can taste my tear
feeling my sadness


it's a shallow drop
barely scratching the surface of my emotions


what is under the bottom
what is hidden below the surface


it's over the top
excessive or exaggerated


and my conscious fear
my aware anxiety


will never learn
it will never go away


I am conscious, bleeding
mentally alert but emotionally suffering


will always yearn
will always long for something more


I live my life
I experience my existence


on the sharpest knife
living on the edge


and the day I fall
when I fail


I will land my strife
I will overcome my struggles


I will always yearn for a future
I will persistently seek a better tomorrow


and in the day it comes
when it finally arrives


it will be my land
I will claim it as my own


I can't raise my head
I cannot lift my gaze


it's so hard to feed
I find it difficult to nourish myself


and this isolation
this disconnectedness


what do I need
what am I missing


I'm awakened and
I am now alert


I am here to stay
I am not leaving anytime soon


feel a serpent tongue
sensing something deceitful or malicious


woke up, on my skin
felt it physically


like a broken tone
like an out-of-tune note


that glows within
radiating from the inside




Contributed by Maya R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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