While musically this is sure to please fans of Righteous Jams and the aforementioned, Byrd usually employs a more gravelly, garbled bark rather than a straightforward yell. Think Kill Your Idols' Andy West, but a bit more comprehensible in Byrd's case.
What seems to be holding the record back is the band's thus underdeveloped sense of modest anthem. Set to Explode are already writing songs with a raw base in place necessary to help shift focus to the message; expansion on the other parts would likely result in a more memorable record, however, and do wonders for them overall.
Not to disspell the band, Set to Explode are definitely channeling the earlier years of their hometown in a way many are likely to believe wasn't still possible (or in the least, still relevant).
Walking Dead
Set To Explode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Barriers begin to fill your head
Ambition killed the time
Become society's walking dead
So what's with being free?
In mental slavery
Surrender all you can
Your plans are what they wish for
Living someone else's dream
Play along for another day
A part of their business machine
Surrender! Surrender!
Aren't you tired of living this way?
Heart of gold, your days are young
Barriers begin to fill your head
Ambition killed the time
Become society's walking dead
Your dead, You're dead
Welcome to society's walking dead!
In the song "Walking Dead" by Set To Explode, the lyrics tell a story of a person with a heart of gold and youthful days, but as the years go by, they become a victim of society's expectations and pressures. The first few lines convey a sense of innocence and optimism, with the heart of gold and capability of achieving great things. However, the barriers that start filling their head signify the obstacles that come with growing up and realizing the harsh realities of the world. Ambition, which should drive people towards achieving their goals, instead leads this person down a path where they are now part of society's walking dead.
The next few lines talk about the concept of being free but trapped in mental slavery. It is a metaphor for societal norms and expectations that limit people's choices and abilities to live their lives on their terms. The lines "Surrender all you can/ Fit into the corporate scam" alludes to the idea of working for a corporation and fitting in with their values and goals, often at the cost of one's own well-being and personal aspirations. The chorus calls out to this person to surrender, to give up the life they are living, where they are a part of somebody else's dream, and are simply playing along with the business machine.
In conclusion, the lyrics of the song implore people to break out of the mold of society's expectations and become their version of successful. It delves deep into the psyche of individuals and how they often fall prey to societal pressures and end up living a life they never wanted. The song warns people to not become society's walking dead and instead choose a life that makes them happy and fulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
Heart of gold, your days are young
You have a pure heart and your life is just beginning.
Barriers begin to fill your head
Obstacles and challenges make you feel trapped in your own mind.
Ambition killed the time
Your strong desire for success has consumed all of your time and energy.
Become society's walking dead
You are now just a shell of a human being, controlled by societal pressures and expectations.
So what's with being free?
You question the concept of freedom when you are trapped in a mental prison.
In mental slavery
You are held captive by the toxic thoughts and beliefs that society has imposed on you.
Surrender all you can
You give up everything, including your own dreams, to fit into the mold created by society.
Fit into the corporate scam
You conform to the expectations of the corporate world, sacrificing your individuality and creativity.
Your plans are what they wish for
You are living someone else's version of success and not your own.
Living someone else's dream
You are not pursuing your own passions and ambitions, but instead living out someone else's vision for your life.
Play along for another day
You continue to go through the motions of what is expected of you, day after day.
A part of their business machine
You have become a cog in a larger system, serving the interests of others instead of your own.
Surrender! Surrender!
The song calls for you to wake up from your mental slavery and break free from the control of society.
Aren't you tired of living this way?
The lyrics ask if you are tired of living a life that is not true to who you are.
Your dead, You're dead
You have lost your sense of self and individuality as you conform to the demands of society.
Welcome to society's walking dead!
The song title is repeated, emphasizing the idea that many people have lost their true selves to societal pressures and expectations.
Contributed by Wyatt S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.