Discography:
1995 - Sleater-Kinney (Chainsaw)
1996 - Call the Doctor (Chainsaw)
1997 - Dig Me Out (Kill Rock Stars)
1999 - The Hot Rock (Kill Rock Stars)
2000 - All Hands on the Bad One (Kill Rock Stars)
2002 - One Beat (Kill Rock Stars)
2005 - The Woods (Sub Pop)
2015 - No Cities to Love (Sub Pop)
2019 - The Center Won't Hold (Mom+Pop)
2021 - Path of Wellness (Mom+Pop)
Wilderness
Sleater-Kinney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Transmission's shot, no back up plan
Will they hitch a ride?
Or get into a fight?
Moved to the West Coast
Packed up their things
The winters are gray
They tried, to make it all right
All our little wishes have gone dry
Made it to the water, waded in the lies
When we felt the heat
Couldn't turn it into fire
Too caught up in our own desires
Said "I Do" in the month of May
Said "I Don't" just the very next day
Will they try again?
Or is it doom for them?
Moved to a city
Where hippies run wild
Everything's white
Now so are the smiles
They tried, to fight the good fight
We're split right in half
It's making me crazy
A two-headed brat
Tied to the other for life
A family feud
The red and the blue now
It's truth against truth
I'll see you in hell, I don't mind
The song "Wilderness" by Sleater-Kinney paints a picture of two couples navigating the challenges of life on the West Coast. The first couple, Kenny and Linda, are on their way to Chelan but encounter a setback with their broken transmission, leaving them to wonder if they should fight or hitch a ride. The second couple made it to their new home in the city, but the constant gray winters and the overwhelming whiteness of the environment cause their dreams to turn gray as well. They tried to make things right, but their efforts were not enough to escape the "wilderness" of their situation.
The lyrics delve into the consequences of our own desires, providing a commentary on the pursuit of happiness and the disillusionment that follows. The lines, "All our little wishes have gone dry, made it to the water, waded in the lies, when we felt the heat, couldn't turn it into fire, too caught up in our own desires" speak to our tendency to lose sight of what really matters when we're too focused on chasing our own dreams, only to find disappointment instead of the fulfillment we were promised.
The song also touches on the themes of love and commitment. The couple who said "I do" in the month of May quickly said "I don't" the very next day, leaving us to wonder if they will try again or succumb to their doomed fate. The line "A two-headed brat tied to the other for life" demonstrates the metaphor of a two-headed monster, both sides pulling in opposite directions, unable to escape their familial bond.
Overall, "Wilderness" is a powerful song that explores the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of finding happiness in a world where it seems just out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Kenny and Linda on the way to Chelan
Kenny and Linda are travelling to Chelan
Transmission's shot, no back up plan
Their car has broken down and there is no alternative way to get there
Will they hitch a ride?
Are they going to ask someone for a lift?
Or get into a fight?
Will their situation cause an argument between them?
Moved to the West Coast
They have relocated to the west coast of America
Packed up their things
They have put all their belongings into boxes and moved them to their new location
The winters are gray
The winters in their new location are depressing
Now so are the dreams
Their aspirations and hopes have also become bleak
They tried, to make it all right
They attempted to improve their situation
All our little wishes have gone dry
Their wishes and dreams have faded away
Made it to the water, waded in the lies
They reached their goal but were deceived by the outcome
When we felt the heat
When pressure was on
Couldn't turn it into fire
They failed to rise to the challenge
Too caught up in our own desires
Their own needs and wants were their main priority
Said "I Do" in the month of May
They got married in May
Said "I Don't" just the very next day
They divorced soon after their wedding
Will they try again?
Are they going to attempt another relationship?
Or is it doom for them?
Is their future filled with misery?
Moved to a city
They have relocated to a new city
Where hippies run wild
The city is known for having a free and loose way of life
Everything's white
Their life is all about appearance
Now so are the smiles
Their happiness is also just for show
They tried, to fight the good fight
They struggled to do what's right and just
We're split right in half
Their relationship is divided and separated
It's making me crazy
Their situation is driving them insane
A two-headed brat
Their relationship is like two children arguing
Tied to the other for life
They will be connected forever
A family feud
Their conflict is like a family quarrel
The red and the blue now
Their different opinions and sides are clear
It's truth against truth
Both sides believe they are right
I'll see you in hell, I don't mind
They are willing to continue the fight even if it leads to their downfall
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CARRIE RACHEL BROWNSTEIN, CORIN LISA TUCKER, JANET LEE WEISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind