In February 2009, she officially changed her stage name to Santigold as a result of infomercial jeweller Santo Gold threatening legal action against White and her label Downtown Records.
White was lead singer of the Philadelphia-based punk rock band Stiffed, but while in the band, she was offered a solo contract. Working with fellow Stiffed member John Hill as co-producer, she recorded her debut album, Santogold, which was released in April 2008. Upon the change of her stage name, her label Downtown Records issued this press release:
"Change the graffiti on the bathroom wall, get your tattoo fixed, get your T-shirt airbrushed and change the name on your year-end list: Santogold is now Santigold. She's not telling you why, that's just how it is."
Outside The War
Santigold Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All he sees, the throne, seize the bone
That child is born again
Throw it away, they throw it away
I tried to warn, say, I tried to warn, say
We're going to war if you throw it away
I tried to warn, say, you'll bring it home
bring it home again
And we gonna waste away, we gon' waste away
We gon' waste away
And we gonna waste away, we gon' waste away
We gon' waste away
Outside the war
Outside the war
Outside the war
Outside the war, don't bring it home
This dike is 'bout to break
And the sea is flowing, I see it coming
That fright is moving in
Hold it at bay, I hold it at bay
I tried it on today, was like I was born again
To the core, cold as the day
I tried to warn, say you'll bring it home
Bring it home again
And we gonna waste away, we gon' waste away
We gon' waste away
And we gonna waste away, we gon' waste away
We gon' waste away
Outside the war
Outside the war
Outside the war
Outside the war, don't bring it home
I tried to warn
Don't want to see it come in
Then there won't be anything
Outside the war
Outside the war (then there won't, then there won't)
Outside the war (then there won't)
Outside the war, don't bring it home
Outside the war (see you're a window)
Outside the war (it blows through the window)
Outside the war (see you're a window)
Outside the war, don't bring it home (see you're a window)
And we gonna waste away, we gon' waste away
We gon' waste away (outside the war)
And we gonna waste away, we gon' waste away
We gon' waste away
Outside the war
Outside the war, not anymore
Outside the war
Outside the war
Outside the war
Outside the war, not anymore
Outside the war
Outside the war
The lyrics of Santigold's "Outside The War" discuss the consequences of wasted energy and the need to avoid war. The song features several metaphors to represent the potential danger of ignoring warnings and allowing conflict to escalate. The striker mentioned in the first verse refers to a labor union leader who, for financial gain, is willing to lead workers into destructive actions against their own interests. The child born again referring to the cycle of violence that continues when we ignore the lessons of the past. The dike being about to break is a metaphor that describes a situation that is becoming more unstable and dangerous, and we need to find a way to stop it before it's too late. The energy in the song builds towards a plea to avoid the conflict and not to bring it home.
Santigold delivers a powerful message with this song, emphasizing the devastating consequences of war and the importance of addressing conflicts before they escalate. The song reminds us that we can't continue to waste energy and resources on conflicts, and that we need to work towards solutions that promote peace and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
The striker's on the take
The person in a position of power is accepting bribes
All he sees, the throne, seize the bone
He is only focused on maintaining power and control, by any means necessary
That child is born again
A new generation is born, with the potential to change things for the better
Throw it away, they throw it away
Those in power are actively discarding any potential for positive change
I tried to warn, say, I tried to warn, say
The artist has tried to raise awareness and prevent negative consequences
We're going to war if you throw it away
If the opportunity for positive change is discarded, conflict is inevitable
you'll bring it home bring it home again
The negative consequences of inaction will ultimately affect those in power as well
And we gonna waste away, we gon' waste away
Continuing on this path will lead to destruction and decay
Outside the war
There is hope for a better future outside of the cycle of conflict
This dike is 'bout to break
The current system is at its breaking point
And the sea is flowing, I see it coming
The negative consequences of inaction are gathering force and momentum
That fright is moving in
Fear and anxiety are spreading
Hold it at bay, I hold it at bay
The singer is trying to prevent the negative consequences from taking hold
I tried it on today, was like I was born again
The singer has had a transformative experience and feels renewed determination
To the core, cold as the day
The singer's determination is absolute and unyielding
Don't want to see it come in
The artist wants to prevent the negative consequences from taking hold
Then there won't be anything
If action is not taken, there will be nothing left to save
see you're a window
The singer is addressing the listener, encouraging them to see beyond their narrow perspective
it blows through the window
The outside world cannot be contained or ignored
Outside the war, not anymore
The artist is urging a departure from the cycle of conflict, and a new way forward
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Santi White, Jeffrey Washington, Martin Mckinney, Rostam Batmanglij, Ian Longwell, Chris Basham, Tashfiq Patwary
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MonsterHunterMalek
One of my favorites on the new album. We are truly lucky to have an artist like Santigold on this planet. I don't know where I would be without her music :)
@infocrack8809
+MonsterHunterMalekSo stoked music like this is (still) being made. Original artist! i LOVE her.
@EveryoneWantsYou
She is shockingly versatile, adept at so many genres and styles.
@Serenity-sg4jf
Lmfao! Not her music, not her voice.
@catherinechase5858
This song is infectiously addictive and so beautiful. It's going to be a hit at halloween parties with its ghost like ethereal vocalizations and juicy drum and bass. It's so spooky and and dark and the instrumentals make me feel like I'm wandering around in some unknown, foreboding and dangerous place. Had to play it twice it was so good. Thank you for making such hauntingly beautiful melodies. This may be my new top favorite song since Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus.
@craighayes9673
Thank you for putting into words exactly what I was thinking. I'll have to check out goodbye horses.
@jhonen32629
This song is pretty incredible. The lyrics are fantastic, and Santigold's vocal delivery makes for a chilling listen. The beat at the end of the song is a awesome touch, love it.
@MusicLatte
This is better than 99.9% of any mainstream music currently killing our ears and taste!
@africamonton936
Yy
@africamonton936
==j