-RevHQ
Undercurrents
Smartbomb Lyrics
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So privileged yet so removed
It must be nice not to worry
About your next meal
Or working till your bones
Have turned to dust
But i now something
That you don't know
And the ultimate price
Is our lives
Some of use pay
It all up front
So we succumb to undertow
That flood waters are here
Scratching at your basement door
Ain't it funny
When all is clear
It's too late to turn and run
So you're too smart
To follow the flow
Succumb to undertow
The lyrics to Smartbomb's song Undercurrents allude to the theme of privilege and its detachment from the real struggles of life. The singer juxtaposes their experience of hardship with that of someone who has never experienced it. The use of the phrase 'privileged yet so removed' creates a divide between the two groups. The singer expresses an appreciation for not being like the privileged, unaware group, but acknowledges the absence of luxuries like not having to worry about one's next meal. The sentiments expressed in these lyrics shed light on the struggles the less fortunate experience every day.
The lyrics also delve deeper into the idea of pride and its cost. The singer suggests that pride is a quality that makes them pay the ultimate price, our lives. Some of us pay upfront by succumbing to the undertow, while others succumb to it in different, quieter ways. The undertow, in this context, could represent the struggles and hardships that people face in life. The lyrics' vivid depiction of the 'flood waters' represents the difficulties that keep scratching at everyone's doors.
In conclusion, Smartbomb's song Undercurrents is a statement on privilege, pride and the struggle to keep afloat in the face of ongoing adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm glad i'm not like them
I'm happy that I'm not among the privileged ones who don't really understand the struggles of life.
So privileged yet so removed
Being so lucky in life, they still don't feel the struggles of the poor people around them.
It must be nice not to worry
The privileged ones are so free from economic and social burdens that they don't really have to worry about anything in life.
About your next meal
They don't even fear hunger or scarcity of food or any kinds of basic necessities.
Or working till your bones
The rigorous work, long hours- these are things that are exclusive to the working-class.
Have turned to dust
They don't understand how much hard-work we put in- how much of our own lives, health, and happiness we have to sacrifice just to keep up.
But i now something
We may not have as much wealth, but at least we know something that they don't.
That you don't know
The fact that hard-work, determination, and pride can muster a lot more than wealth and privilege.
It is pride
Our dignity, self-respect, and self-worth may not be reflected in our salaries and earnings- but that doesn't mean they don't exist.
And the ultimate price
The price we pay for preserving our integrity and values amidst hardships, criticism, and oppression.
Is our lives
Our lives, survival, and sustenance are at stake and we have to fight and struggle for them every day.
Some of use pay
Those who understand the value of human spirit, sacrifice their lives for keeping these values alive.
It all up front
We don't just live and survive- we make upfront sacrifices for sustaining the future of our generations.
So we succumb to undertow
We keep struggling every day to keep ourselves afloat amidst the ruthless currents of our society.
That flood waters are here
We are living in an era of challenges, crisis, and social upheavals.
Scratching at your basement door
The intensity of the struggles has increased so much that it has started affecting even the privileged people.
Ain't it funny
It's ironic that the privileged people are now beginning to realize the extent of the struggles of the common people.
When all is clear
When things get bad, only then people start to recognize the problems around them.
It's too late to turn and run
One can't just escape the consequences of their actions and ignorance by turning away from problems.
So you're too smart
The privileged ones often hold themselves responsible for their smartness and privilege, but not for being empathetic.
To follow the flow
They believe in following the mainstream and the popular culture, but they don't understand the essence of life, which is compassion and empathy.
Succumb to undertow
The struggles, challenges, crisis, and social problems are so intense that not everything goes as per plan.
Contributed by Emily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.