Hands in the Sky
Straylight Run Lyrics
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Tear it out of these open pages
Women and kids of all ages
Millions of men with blank faces
Italicized lies, headlines bold type
Living lives just like deer in headlights
Terrified, blind, and wait to die
I wonder when they'll come get me
We want you, have to, need you and
We'll tell you when they're hungry again
We'll tell you when they're hungry again
It never ends, never ends
We want you, have to, need you and
We'll tell you when they're hungry again
We'll tell you when they're hungry again
It never ends, never ends, never ends
Big shot screaming put your hands in the sky
He says "Give it up boy, give it up or you're gonna die
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck
In the back of the neck
Right between the eyes
The lyrics to Straylight Run's song "Hands in the Sky" express a deep-seated fear and mistrust of authority and societal structures. The first stanza is a damning critique of the media and the way it presents information to the public. The open pages referred to are likely newspapers, and the italicized lies and bold headlines suggest that the media is manipulating the truth to fit their own agenda. The millions of men with blank faces could refer to the masses of people who are blindly accepting what they're being told, without questioning or investigating the information they receive. The obliviousness to the truth is compared to deer in headlights- they are living life in a state of fear and paralysis, merely waiting for their demise. The repetition of the phrase, "I wonder when they'll come get me" highlights the paranoia and fear the singer is feeling about authority figures.
The second stanza is more overt in its political messaging. The "we" who want, have to, and need the listener refers to the government or other authoritative powers, who are using fear tactics and empty promises to maintain control over the masses. The promise to "tell you when they're hungry again" suggests that the people are being kept in a state of perpetual need, so that they will continue to be reliant on their leaders. The repetition of "never ends" at the end of each stanza drives home the feeling of hopelessness and perpetuity of the situation.
The chorus of the song takes a menacing turn, as a "big shot" screams for the listener to put their hands in the sky. The use of the phrase "big shot" suggests a person with a lot of power, potentially a law enforcement official or representative of the government. The threat of death is palpable, as the person is told to give up or "get a bullet in the back of the neck, right between the eyes." The chorus is a direct representation of the fear and lack of trust in the systems that are supposed to protect us.
Line by Line Meaning
Tear it out of these open pages
We need to take a closer look at the reality of the world instead of relying on what's presented on the surface.
Women and kids of all ages
Everyone is affected by the horrors of the world, regardless of age or gender.
Millions of men with blank faces
So many people are resigned to their fates that they've lost all sense of emotion and personality.
Italicized lies, headlines bold type
The media manipulates us with both obvious and subtle messaging to convince us of their contrived messages.
Living lives just like deer in headlights
So often, we live our lives passively, either by choice or out of fear of what our own agency might bring.
Terrified, blind, and wait to die
We don't recognize the danger or oppression around us, and we don't realize our full potential to resist or change it.
I wonder when they'll come get me
Everything can feel so out of control that we often feel like we're waiting for the inevitable - whatever that might be.
We want you, have to, need you and
The people in charge manipulate and control us, convincing us that we're essential cogs in their machine.
We'll tell you when they're hungry again
They'll let us know when they need something from us - which will be often - and we'll follow their lead.
It never ends, never ends
This cycle of manipulation and control repeats itself infinitely.
Big shot screaming put your hands in the sky
The powerful continue to assert themselves while demanding our obedience and submission.
He says "Give it up boy, give it up or you're gonna die
The consequences of resisting or refusing their control is dire - do what they say or face their violence.
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck
These repercussions can often come when we least expect it or from forces beyond our control.
In the back of the neck
Violence and retribution will come quickly, ruthlessly, and with no mercy.
Right between the eyes
We'll be caught unaware and attacked where we're most vulnerable, directly and ruthlessly.
Lyrics Β© CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
GarageBarn3
Tearing out all these open pages,
Women and kids of all ages,
Millions of men with blank faces,
Italicised lies, headlines, bold type
Living lost just like deer in headlights,
Terrified, blind, and wait to die,
I wonder when they'll come get me,
I wonder when they'll come get me:
We want to, have to, need to:
And we'll tell you when their hungry again,
And we'll tell you when their hungry again,
It never ends, never ends:
We want to, have to, need to:
And we'll tell you when their hungry again,
And we'll tell you when their hungry again,
It never ends, never ends, never ends:
Big shot screaming, "Put your hands in the sky, "
He says, "Give it up boy, give it up or your gonna die,
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck,
In the back of the neck right between the eyes."
Big shot screaming, "Put your hands in the sky, "
He says, "Give it up boy, give it up or your gonna die,
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck,
In the back of the neck right between the eyes."
Big shot screaming, "Put your hands in the sky, "
He says, "Give it up boy, give it up or your gonna die,
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck,
In the back of the neck right between the eyes."
Big shot screaming, "Put your hands in the sky, " (Tearing out all these open pages)
He says, "Give it up boy, give it up or your gonna die, (Women and kids of all ages)
You'll get a bullet in the back of the neck, (Millions of men with blank faces)
In the back of the neck right between the eyes." (Italicised lies, headlines, bold:)
Tearing out all these open pages,
Women and kids of all ages,
Millions of men with blank faces,
Italicised lies, headlines, bold type
PAUL DAVIS
I have to thank SOA for showing me this song - as usual they keep pushing me to new and amazing artists over the years.. I re-watched this eppie last night - and man, forgot how much it rules!
Joshua Phillips
I also have to thank SOA! Just started watching it in 2022 lol!
Jeff
@Joshua Phillips you're gonna love it, it's so good
Brady Mcneese
Loved that scene. The song just made it that much more badass
Prison Mike
I grew up on tbs, and then found soa, but it took me til 2016 to realize it was straylight..I'm ashamed
Thanksbutnothanks
SOA, Game of Thrones and The Office are my top three TV shows ever. SOA is so good. I just absolutely hated the ending.
Paige S
I remember when I was a teen randomly seeing this video in the middle of the night on fuse more than a decade ago. It's been a favorite since then. Art at its finest. Also I feel old.
Jeremy James
I had this album on a burned cd from limewire so it's ok
Smokingun08
ahh yes good ol' Fuse. One of the main reasons why I love Coheed and Cambria so much. I was first introduced to The Suffering on fuse, that orangeish color and scoripionman lol and Claudios falsetto. fucking loved all of it.
Joshua Phillips
It's funny how our age just slaps us in the face at random moments huh!