Overground
Siouxsie A The Banshees Lyrics
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Got to go up to where the air is stale
And live a life of pleasantries
Mingle in the modern families
Overground--from abnormality
Overboard--for identity
Overground--for normality
This limbo is no place
To be a digit in another space
In another crowd
I'm nameless bound
Overground--from abnormality
Overboard--for identity
Overground--for normality
Overboard--for identity
Overground--I'll be worse than me
Overground--it's clear to me
I'll be worse than me
The lyrics to this song are about breaking free from a stagnant, uninteresting life and entering into a world where things can be challenging and even uncomfortable at times, but ultimately more fulfilling. The "netherworld" referred to in the first line is a metaphor for a stagnant, uneventful existence, and the line "got to go up to where the air is stale" is a way of saying that the character needs to go somewhere where things are more exciting, even if it means enduring some discomfort or inconvenience.
The chorus of the song expresses the idea that sometimes we have to take risks and go a little "overboard" in order to find ourselves and live a more authentic life. The line "for identity" suggests that this process of breaking free from the constraints of a boring life is essential to developing a sense of self or personal identity. The repetition of the "overground" and "overboard" phrases throughout the song reinforces the idea that this is a journey, a process of moving from one way of living to another.
Overall, "Overground" is a song about transformation, about breaking free from the familiar and the comfortable and setting out into the unknown to find something greater. It's a call to live boldly and take risks, even if it means being "worse than me" for a little while.
Line by Line Meaning
Got to give up life in this netherworld
I need to abandon my current existence and move on to something new.
Got to go up to where the air is stale
I need to leave behind the freshness of the current environment and face the stagnancy of reality.
And live a life of pleasantries
I aspire to lead a cheerful and enjoyable life.
Mingle in the modern families
Become part of society and be with others.
This limbo is no place
The current state of being is not acceptable.
To be a digit in another space
It is not desirable to be a small part of something big.
In another crowd
Among others, it is easy to disappear and lose oneself.
I'm nameless bound
I am forced to remain unknown and insignificant.
Overground--from abnormality
Embrace normalcy and leave behind the abnormal.
Overboard--for identity
Risk everything for the sake of discovering oneself and achieving personal growth.
Overground--for normality
Aim to be an accepted and functional part of society.
Overboard--for identity
Risk everything for the sake of discovering oneself and achieving personal growth.
Overground--I'll be worse than me
Even in the pursuit of normality, there is a risk of losing the unique and extraordinary qualities that make me who I am.
Overground--it's clear to me
The choice is plain and simple to see.
I'll be worse than me
Even in the pursuit of normality, there is a risk of losing the unique and extraordinary qualities that make me who I am.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: SIOUX, JOHN GARETH MCKAY, KENNETH IAN MORRIS, STEVEN SEVERIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind