Gonna Get Ugly
Shorebirds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
just from living day to day.
Can't you tell it's gonna get ugly?
Just from living day to day.
Took a walk down to the station.
Going to the big city.
Where they keep on building buildings.
The noise is almost deafening.
and keep pretending we don't know what's going on.
Took a long walk through the city.
Saw people profit from decay.
And they'll just keep on making new laws
to make the violence all okay.
So let's all keep faith in the lord
and try to justify the excess
that's killing off the world.
The opening lyrics of Shorebirds' song "Gonna Get Ugly" describe the overwhelming feeling of simply existing in the face of modern society. The song explores the tension between the individual's desire for comfort and ease, and the destructive consequences of economic growth and societal decay. The repetition of "just from living day to day" emphasizes the sense of bewilderment and weariness that the singer feels. Despite the chaos of everyday life, the singer recognizes the inevitability of things "getting ugly."
The lyrics then describe a trip to the city, where the singer witnesses the endless construction and noise pollution that comes with it. Shorebirds' choice to focus on the environment's intrusion through auditory means such as excessive noise helps add to the song’s nihilistic despair. The imagery of "people profit[ing] from decay" suggests that the system itself is rotten and corrupt, and that its success depends on exploiting others. The singer notes that laws are being created to justify violence and excess, and even suggests a sense of fatalism in the face of this global destruction by saying things like “keep faith in the lord” and justifying the excess.
Overall, "Gonna Get Ugly" paints a bleak picture of modern society, pointing out that our consumption habits and acceptance of corruption have destructive consequences beyond what we realize. It's a song that encapsulates the slow and painful realization of the horrors of modernity and human greed.
Line by Line Meaning
It's enough to break your brain
The overwhelming stress of daily life is a ticking time bomb on one's mental health
just from living day to day.
Merely existing in the current state of society poses a threat to one's sanity
Can't you tell it's gonna get ugly?
The future looks bleak and uninviting
Took a walk down to the station.
Went for a stroll towards the train terminal
Going to the big city.
Heading towards the metropolis
Where they keep on building buildings.
An industrial hub that never seems to cease its construction projects
The noise is almost deafening.
The sound pollution in the city is almost unbearable
So let's keep buying new cars
The consumerist culture drives us to continuously purchase new vehicles
and keep pretending we don't know what's going on.
Ignorance is our coping mechanism
Took a long walk through the city.
Went on an extended stroll through the urban landscape
Saw people profit from decay.
Observed individuals who benefit from societal degradation
And they'll just keep on making new laws
Government legislation will continue to change to suit their needs
to make the violence all okay.
To cover up or justify the brutalities that occur
So let's all keep faith in the lord
Maintain our belief in a higher power
and try to justify the excess
Rationalize our excessive lifestyles and consumption habits
that's killing off the world.
Our way of life is slowly deteriorating the planet
Contributed by Savannah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
keith henderson
Wow.... found this on a whim and thank you for posting it.
shauny sins
this is amazing
BootlickerCemetery
30 seconds in and I was on fuckin board! This rules so much
Schnitzl
For anyone that wants/is interested in associated bands; rvivr, latterman, hooky, lightnin’ round, and erica freas