Underground
Redlight King Lyrics


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Stare at the gates there's a time and place
When the lions arrive and they're comin' your way
Outback in the corner of a crooked town
Duck down better hit the ground

This ain't no sunset cruise
No hope in hell someone's helpin' you
These hard knock streets ain't paved with gold
They were built by skin and bones

When it all comes tumblin' down
And the gear is in your heart
For a moment that you fell
Don't let it fall apart

Welcome to the underground
There's no way to turn back now
I'll show you what it's all about
Follow me, I'll take you down to the underground

If death's gonna deal you one more try
Then stare his stone cold in the eye
Don't be denied just don't show your guard
Or the sweat and the panic starts

If you've been knocked out behind closed doors
Then come through the desert and name your horse
Rebuild the course and rewrite all the rules
'Cause we weren't born to lose

When it all comes tumblin' down
And the gear is in your heart
For a moment that you fell
Don't let it fall apart

Welcome to the underground
There's no way to turn back now
I'll show you what it's all about
Follow me, I'll take you down to the underground

They'll hang you up, they'll bleed you dry
The hand that feeds you might rob you blind
For all you're worth, just one last chance
Hold on tight because you're not dead yet

Welcome to the underground
There's no way to turn back now
I'll show you what it's all about
Follow me, I'll take you down to the underground

They'll hang you up, they'll bleed you dry
Welcome to the underground




They'll hang you up, they'll bleed you dry
Welcome to the underground

Overall Meaning

The Redlight King's song "Underground" is a song about perseverance, survival, and not giving up even when the odds are against you. The song begins with a somber tone, the singer tells us to "stare at the gates" and brace ourselves for the arrival of "lions." The lions represent the difficult times that we must face in life, and "outback in the corner of a crooked town" represents the environment in which we find ourselves struggling to survive. The singer advises to "duck down better hit the ground," indicating that a fight is about to erupt. There is no hope that someone is going to help you in this environment, so you have to learn to fend for yourself. The streets are not paved with gold, but rather built by "skin and bones." This represents how the singer has witnessed the hard work and determination of those who have come before him, people who have toiled and shed blood, sweat, and tears to survive.


The chorus serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement. The singer tells us not to let our hearts falter when everything seems to be falling apart. He invites us to join him in "the underground," a place where we can learn to fight back and stand up for ourselves. He emphasizes that there is "no way to turn back now," but that he will guide us and help us navigate through the treacherous landscape. In the second verse, the lyrics focus on dealing with death, and how we must confront it head-on. The singer advises us to not "show your guard" because once we do, panic sets in. He encourages us to "come through the desert and name your horse," which means to take control of your own destiny and create your own path to success.


The bridge of the song emphasizes the struggles and challenges that we will face, and how sometimes the people we rely on will turn on us. But this should not discourage us, we should hold on tight and keep fighting. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "welcome to the underground" as if to say that we have arrived at a place where we must struggle, but that we can do it, with perseverance and determination.


Line by Line Meaning

Stare at the gates there's a time and place
There are times and places where you need to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.


When the lions arrive and they're comin' your way
When you're faced with a fierce and daunting challenge or opponent.


Outback in the corner of a crooked town
In a remote and seedy location within a dishonest and corrupt community.


Duck down better hit the ground
Get out of sight and take cover.


This ain't no sunset cruise
This is not a leisurely or carefree endeavor.


No hope in hell someone's helpin' you
You cannot rely on anyone else to rescue or assist you.


These hard knock streets ain't paved with gold
Life in this rough environment is not easy or glamorous.


They were built by skin and bones
The people who inhabit these streets and created this world did so through their hard work and struggles.


When it all comes tumblin' down
When everything falls apart or fails.


And the gear is in your heart
When you feel everything is riding on your passions and emotions.


For a moment that you fell
For a brief moment of weakness or failure.


Don't let it fall apart
Don't let everything crumble and disintegrate.


Welcome to the underground
Welcome to the gritty and harsh world that exists outside of the mainstream.


There's no way to turn back now
Once you're in, there's no way out or going back to your previous life.


I'll show you what it's all about
I'll reveal the true nature and experience of this underground life.


Follow me, I'll take you down to the underground
If you trust and follow me, I'll guide you through this subterranean world.


If death's gonna deal you one more try
If life is giving you one more chance despite your previous mistakes or failures.


Then stare his stone cold in the eye
Then face your fears and doubts head-on with unwavering determination.


Don't be denied just don't show your guard
Don't let yourself be defeated, but also don't overprotect or hide yourself from the world.


Or the sweat and the panic starts
Or you'll succumb to feelings of fear and anxiety.


If you've been knocked out behind closed doors
If you've been defeated or oppressed in a hidden or secretive manner.


Then come through the desert and name your horse
Then overcome your struggles and hardships, and claim your own success and destiny.


Rebuild the course and rewrite all the rules
Rebuild your life and start fresh with your own rules and guidelines.


'Cause we weren't born to lose
Because we have the potential and the drive to succeed and triumph in life.


They'll hang you up, they'll bleed you dry
They will exploit and mistreat you for their own gain at your expense.


The hand that feeds you might rob you blind
The people or entities that are supposed to support and provide for you might betray your trust or take advantage of you.


For all you're worth, just one last chance
Despite all your difficulties and failures, you still have an opportunity to prove yourself and succeed.


Hold on tight because you're not dead yet
Hold on tightly to your dreams and goals because you're still alive and have a chance to achieve them.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARK KASPRZYK, ALEXANDER FRANCIS BARRY, WALTON STEVEN GAGEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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