In The Name Of Comfort
Shelter Lyrics


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Ideals fall through... and promises too.
We'll skip the test... and settle for less.
Who's been overlooked... and who's been rooked?
Who's left to die... and who's left to cry?
We'll shut our ears... we don't want to hear.
The suffering and pain... it'll bother our brain.
Don't like being disturbed... or even perturbed.
Oh so many hurt for wanting comfort first!

Turn off the brain... to reason is pain.
It's easier to accept... than to question it.
We'll tag and label... and assume when we're able
Lost our common sense... for the sake of convenience
What friends did we abuse... and who did we use?
Which did we choose... and which will we loose?
Well its easier to judge... and hold a grudge.
But left sad and lonely, I relied on comfort only!

And how much will we waste... decorating our space?
A high priced nest... just so we can rest.




A test of sincerity; can we perform the austerity?
Excuses justification for a comfortable situation.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shelter's song In the Name of Comfort convey a message of how human beings often prioritize comfort over justice, and ultimately end up losing their sense of empathy and compassion. The opening lines highlight how our ideals and promises often remain unfulfilled, and how we settle for less rather than striving for true justice. The use of rhetorical questions - "who's been overlooked... and who's been rooked? Who's left to die... and who's left to cry?" - draws attention to the fact that there are people who suffer while we close our ears to their pain in pursuit of our own comfort.


The second verse delves deeper into how we shut off our reason and abandon common sense in favor of convenience. The lyrics suggest that we often use and abuse our friends while holding grudges and isolating ourselves when things get tough. The theme of convenience is reinforced when the singer questions how much we waste on expensive furnishings and decoration simply so that we can rest comfortably. The final line challenges us to reflect on the excuses and justifications we make to maintain our comfortable situations, as if comfort itself is an excuse for neglecting our responsibilities to others.


Overall, In the Name of Comfort is a powerful call to action that urges listeners to prioritize justice and empathy over convenience and comfort. The lyrics speak to the human tendency to avoid difficult truths and cling to self-serving justifications, but also provide a glimmer of hope by suggesting that we can perform the "austerity" necessary to redress the imbalances in our lives and in the world around us.


Line by Line Meaning

Ideals fall through... and promises too.
We often find that our ideals and promises are not upheld, which can lead to disappointment and apathy.


We'll skip the test... and settle for less.
Rather than putting in the effort to achieve our goals, we may choose to take an easier path and accept mediocrity.


Who's been overlooked... and who's been rooked?
Society often disregards those who are marginalized or taken advantage of unfairly.


Who's left to die... and who's left to cry?
There are people in the world who suffer and struggle, without anyone to help or support them.


We'll shut our ears... we don't want to hear.
When we are confronted with difficult or uncomfortable truths, it can be tempting to ignore them in order to maintain our own sense of comfort and security.


The suffering and pain... it'll bother our brain.
Thinking about the pain and suffering of others can be distressing and overwhelming, which may cause us to avoid those thoughts altogether.


Don't like being disturbed... or even perturbed.
We often prefer to live in a state of blissful ignorance, rather than facing the harsh realities of the world.


Oh so many hurt for wanting comfort first!
There are countless people who prioritize their own comfort and convenience over the well-being of others, resulting in widespread suffering and injustice.


Turn off the brain... to reason is pain.
It can be painful and difficult to think critically and logically about complex issues, so we may choose to avoid doing so altogether.


It's easier to accept... than to question it.
Sometimes, it is easier to simply accept the status quo rather than to challenge it or make difficult changes.


We'll tag and label... and assume when we're able.
Society often uses labels and stereotypes to classify people based on superficial characteristics, rather than engaging with individuals on a deeper level.


Lost our common sense... for the sake of convenience.
We may sacrifice our values and beliefs in order to pursue convenience and comfort.


What friends did we abuse... and who did we use?
Sometimes, we may take advantage of our friends for our own benefit, without considering the impact on their feelings or well-being.


Which did we choose... and which will we lose?
Our choices and actions can have significant consequences, which we may not fully consider or appreciate in the moment.


Well its easier to judge... and hold a grudge.
It can be easier to judge and condemn others, rather than trying to understand their perspective or empathize with them.


But left sad and lonely, I relied on comfort only!
When we prioritize our own comfort and convenience over our relationships and connections with others, we may end up feeling isolated and alone.


And how much will we waste... decorating our space?
We often spend significant amounts of time and money on superficial or unnecessary pursuits, such as home decor, rather than investing in more meaningful experiences.


A high priced nest... just so we can rest.
We may prioritize material possessions and luxury over more essential needs, such as rest and relaxation.


A test of sincerity; can we perform the austerity?
Challenging ourselves to live with less or to prioritize our values over our comfort can be a crucial test of our character and sincerity.


Excuses justification for a comfortable situation.
We may make excuses or rationalizations in order to justify our pursuit of comfort and convenience, even if it comes at the expense of others.




Contributed by Eva W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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