No One
State of Being Lyrics
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Don't taste life for 21 years
In your yuppie dream world you sit at home
Watching TV there all alone
No one really dies like on TV
We'll all live 'till eternity
I'd say it's time to wake up and see
What's really going on, on your planet's dream
They're gonna make you no one
They want you no one
They're gonna make you no one
They want you no one
They're gonna make you
They're gonna take you
No one (no identity)
No one does drugs they ain't real
And from your house we never will steal
And all hungry people eat big meals
And companies always make fair deals
If you weren't so blind you'd understand
Life is real: look at your hands
Raise for raise: higher wage in time
If you screw your boss sex is divine
See no evil
Hear no evil
Speak no evil
No evil : no evil : no evil
The lyrics of State of Being's song "No One" are a critique of modern society and the way people are living their lives. The first stanza advises us to cover our eyes, ears, and taste buds for 21 years, referencing the way we have become complacent in our comfortable lives, watching TV as an escape from reality. The following line mentions how death is never quite the same as it is on TV and that we'll all live until eternity, yet we remain in a dream state, oblivious to what is going on around us. The lyrics suggest that it is time to wake up and see the reality of the situation, to truly understand what is going on and not live in a state of ignorance.
The chorus warns us that society is trying to make us into "no one." The second verse dissects several common myths and misconceptions about society. It references the belief that people who do drugs are not real, the notion that we would never steal anything from someone else's home, and the idea that all hungry people eat big meals and that companies always make fair deals. These are illusions that people believe, to ignore the reality that society is not perfect. The following lines implore us not to be so blind and pay attention to what's happening around us. Finally, the song ends with the refrain to hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil, as if to suggest that we must be silenced and subjugated to live in this society.
Line by Line Meaning
Cover your eyes and cover your ears
Close yourself off from reality and ignore the truth
Don't taste life for 21 years
Live a sheltered life without any real experiences
In your yuppie dream world you sit at home
You live in a bubble, isolated from the real world
Watching TV there all alone
You distract yourself from reality by watching television
No one really dies like on TV
Death is not portrayed accurately on television
We'll all live 'till eternity
Our mortal existence is not eternal. However, we can leave a legacy to extend our legacy beyond death
I'd say it's time to wake up and see
It's time to awaken to reality and face the truth
What's really going on, on your planet's dream
What's truly happening in the world, despite your perceived 'perfect' reality
They're gonna make you no one
They want to strip you of your identity
They want you no one
They want you to become anonymous and insignificant
They're gonna make you no one
They're going to deprive you of your individuality
They want you no one
They desire for you become a faceless, nameless entity
They're gonna make you
They will alter your being
They're gonna take you
They will steal your essence
No one (no identity)
They want to erase who you are
No one does drugs they ain't real
Drug use is not illustrated accurately in the media
And from your house we never will steal
You won't lose anything material. Our efforts are directed towards your essence
And all hungry people eat big meals
People are not always as fortunate as you
And companies always make fair deals
The business world is not always fair
If you weren't so blind you'd understand
If you faced the truth, you would comprehend
Life is real: look at your hands
This is real life, tangible and palpable
Raise for raise: higher wage in time
We deserve compensation for our labor and effort
If you screw your boss sex is divine
Exerting power and control over others leads to a false sense of invincibility
See no evil
Ignore any negative occurrences
Hear no evil
Refuse to listen to warnings or criticism
Speak no evil
Avoid speaking about anything wrong or immoral
No evil : no evil : no evil
Living in a state of denial and ignoring the prevalence of evil in the world
Contributed by Bentley Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.