Williams has published four books of poetry: "The Seventh Octave", "S/he", ",said the shotgun to the head." and "The Dead Emcee Scrolls"; and released six albums: Amethyst Rock Star, the self titled Saul Williams, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation Of Niggy Tardust, Volcanic Sunlight, MartyrLoserKing and most recently, Encrypted & Vulnerable.
Banged and Blown Through
Saul Williams Lyrics
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Burst wide open, smashed and bent
Not what you'd expect
From these city streets
Who serves to protect
The orchestra in me?
I feel electricity
Conductor, conductor
Can you bring out the song in me?
Instruments, instruments, instruments
Banged and blown through
Instruments, instruments, instruments
Banged and blown through
Instruments, instruments, instruments
Banged and blown through
Instruments, instruments
Instruments, instruments
We are broken instruments
Burst wide open smashed and bent
Not what you'd expect
From these city streets
Who serves to protect
The orchestra in me?
Instruments, instruments, instruments
Banged and blown through
Instruments, instruments, instruments
Banged and blown through
Instruments, instruments, instruments
Banged and blown through
Instruments, instruments, instruments, instruments
Conductor, conductor
Conductor, conductor
Can you bring out the song in me?
The song "Banged and Blown Through" by Saul Williams speaks of the brokenness and vulnerability of individuals, likening them to broken instruments that have been burst wide open, smashed, and bent. The lyrics suggest that these broken instruments are not what one would expect from the city streets. The song then asks who serves to protect the orchestra in the singer, questioning who is responsible for bringing out the song within the singer.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "instruments, instruments, instruments, banged and blown through," emphasizing the metaphorical brokenness of individuals living in the city. The singer then calls out to the conductor, asking if he can bring out the song in him.
The lyrics are a poignant commentary on the effects of living in a harsh and broken world. The song seeks to remind us that even in our brokenness, we all have a song waiting to be played, and that it is up to us to find a conductor who can bring it out in us.
Line by Line Meaning
We are broken instruments
Our human forms have been damaged and are no longer functioning properly
Burst wide open, smashed and bent
We've experienced trauma and significant force that has caused us to break apart and be deformed
Not what you'd expect
Our current state is not what most people would anticipate or assume based on our outward appearance or surroundings
From these city streets
Despite our current location, we are still affected by the chaos and harsh environments of the urban area we inhabit
Who serves to protect
There's nobody who is taking responsibility to prevent our worsening condition or to safeguard us from further damage or harm
The orchestra in me?
The greater potential we possess for something beautiful and harmonious, despite being broken and in disarray
Conductor, conductor
Addressing a musical director who may have the power to guide and govern a performance
I feel electricity
A potential for growth, power, or inspiration within oneself
Can you bring out the song in me?
Asking for guidance or encouragement to reach full potential and create something beautiful, despite current challenges
Instruments, instruments, instruments
Reinforcing the idea that we are human 'instruments' being referred to metaphorically
Banged and blown through
Our instruments have been subject to severe impact and even violent treatment
Instruments, instruments
Once again emphasizing the idea that we are broken and damaged 'instruments'
Conductor, conductor
Returning to the idea of addressing a musical director who may be the key to guiding and directing our potential
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SAUL WILLIAMS, TRENT REZNOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind