Machine
Surrounded by Lions Lyrics

Illumination, you light up my world
The singer is grateful for the inspiration and light shed by someone in their life.

With your imagination
The person's imaginative spark is infectious and helps fuel the singer's own creativity.

No scientists just people from the future
The source of this illumination is not rooted in formal education, but rather appears to be individuals with an esoteric kind of insight about the world.

Who are confused as the rain beats with his scratching through the ceiling
The illuminators are experiencing uncertainty and chaos, possibly a metaphor for being unsure about the future or how to solve larger global issues.

Oh no! All the vultures on the radio!
The radio broadcast is a source of negativity and death, symbolized by the scavenger bird vulture. This is a jarring interruption to the inspiring environment of the previous lines.

Illumination, I light up your world
The singer reciprocates the kind of inspiration that was previously given to them.

With my imagination!
The singer's own creativity is their unique offering and response to the illuminator's previous influence.

You were in my dream, just now
The artist is reminiscing about a dream where they encountered the person who inspires them, but it was not a satisfying experience.

But you didn't recognize me
The artist notes that even in a dream state, the object of their inspiration does not relate to the artist in the same way as the artist does to them.

Well I guess two's just not working tonight! Oh!
The idea of synergy, or the two individuals collaborating effectively, is not currently possible in the current scenario. This is a source of frustration for the artist.

I'll just ask where to send future mail!
The singer jokes that if collaboration isn't working now, they will facetiously switch to communicating via mail in the future with the illuminator.

I'll just ask where to send your mail!
A restating of the previous line, with emphasis on the individual receiving mail rather than writing it.

Because, what this is, is not what you think it is...
The singer implies that there is a deeper truth or complexity to their relationship and the current situation that isn't evident from surface appearances.

Everything was so alive, before it all started to die
The world was once full of vitality and possibility, but now it seems to be losing that spark and energy.

For the last species, endangered are human beings
A commentary on the plight of humanity, and the idea that human existence is on shaky ground in modern times.

For the last species, endangered are human
A restating of the previous line with slightly different phrasing.

All She hears are these vultures on the radio! Radio! Radio!
The radio broadcast from earlier is still negatively affecting the artist, but now it is also clear that the artist is female.

All She hears are these vultures on the radio! Radio!
A restating of the previous line with less repetition.