Suuns have no doubt ingested a lot of art rock, the Montreal group's minima… Read Full Bio ↴Suuns have no doubt ingested a lot of art rock, the Montreal group's minimalist rhythms are equally informed by Joy Division, Suicide and Can, often wrapped in a noisy squall of droning guitars and pulsing synths. Add to this Ben Shemie's breathy, paranoid sing/speak, and there are times that it seems like Suuns are about to drive over a sonic cliff. But there's actually a great sense of restraint at play. We were enveloped in Suuns' dark and thrilling post-punk from the first listen, never to return.

Powers of Ten
Suuns Lyrics

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Together
[?] read in the paper
[?] stranger
[?] stranger and stranger
[?] you don't understand it
[?] you can't, [?] stand it
The sooner or later, [?] or later
You try to explain but you don't wanna wake her

Not only don't you know, no, you don't understand it
[?] if know it you don't understand it

[?] to the east
[?] the sinner
[?] together
[?] in the eye
Year after year
Forever and ever
Not only [?], no, you [?] it
[?] if know it you [?] it

[?] of ten
Powers of ten
I wish [you were?] my friend
[?] a machine
[?] it was older than me
Your hand

Forever and ever
And ever and ever

Overall Meaning

The song "Powers of Ten" by Suuns is a cryptic composition that could be interpreted in different ways. The opening lines suggest a sense of confusion and perplexity towards certain news that was read in the paper. The singer grapples with understanding this information that seems to become stranger and stranger. The singer appears to be in a state of cognitive dissonance, caught between trying to explain the news to someone else and being apprehensive of their reaction. The repetition of 'not only don't you know, no, you don't understand it' emphasizes the level of bewilderment and frustration the singer is experiencing.

The middle section of the song is even more enigmatic. The lines 'east to the west, the sinner, stay together, catch it in the eye' are open-ended and leave the listener with no clear reference point. The singer alludes to something they want to last forever, but again, the message is muddled. There is a hint of hopelessness and resignation as the singer concludes that, 'not only don't you know, no, you don't get it if know it you don't understand it.' The final lines underpin the theme of eternal and unyielding perseverance, with the repetition of 'forever and ever' emphasizing this sentiment.

Line by Line Meaning

Together
Starting the song, the vocalist expresses their desire to talk about something to someone else.

[?] read in the paper
The vocalist is referring to some information they came across in a newspaper that is not explicitly stated here.

[?] stranger
The vocalist is talking about a stranger who might be related to the information they read in the paper.

[?] stranger and stranger
The stranger's behavior or actions keep getting more mysterious or suspicious.

[?] you don't understand it
The vocalist doesn't quite comprehend the information they read or how it relates to the stranger.

[?] you can't, [?] stand it
The situation is becoming increasingly unbearable for the vocalist as they struggle to understand and cope with it.

The sooner or later, [?] or later
At some point in time, the situation is going to come to a head and the vocalist will have to make a decision.

You try to explain but you don't wanna wake her
The vocalist attempts to describe what is happening, but perhaps doesn't want to upset someone by revealing the full truth.

Not only don't you know, no, you don't understand it
The vocalist is not only unsure about the situation, but they are unable to make sense of it as well.

[?] if know it you don't understand it
Even if someone were to clearly explain the situation to the singer, it may not necessarily make sense to them or ease their confusion.

[?] to the east
The vocalist is giving the listener directions of some sort - this is not specified further.

[?] the sinner
The identity of the sinner is unknown to us, but the vocalist is locating or perhaps accusing them of something.

[?] together
Despite the mysterious nature of the situation and the people involved, the vocalist is grouping them together for some reason.

[?] in the eye
The singer is perhaps trying to confront or challenge someone with this line.

Year after year
Time keeps passing but the situation doesn't seem to change or resolve itself.

Forever and ever
The situation may extend indefinitely or feel like an eternity - this is not necessarily positive.

Not only [?], no, you [?] it
The situation is not only confusing for the vocalist, but also emotionally or mentally challenging as well.

[?] if know it you [?] it
Even if the vocalist were to be given further information about the situation, it may not alleviate the difficulty or distress it is causing them.

[?] of ten
This phrase is the title of the song and could evoke a sense of larger forces or cosmic power at play.

Powers of ten
Reiterating the title, the vocalist may be reminding themselves or someone else of these larger forces at work.

I wish [you were?] my friend
The vocalist is expressing a desire for a sense of closeness or companionship in the midst of this trying situation.

[?] a machine
This phrase could imply that the situation or people involved feel cold, unfeeling, or robotic in some way.

[?] it was older than me
Referring to something else of unknown identity or relevance, it is suggested that it predates the vocalist in some way.

Your hand
This phrase is not given contextual information, but it could be emphasizing the need for outside help or support.

Forever and ever And ever and ever
Repeating a phrase from earlier in the song, the situation may be ongoing and endless.

Writer(s): Benjamin Shemie, Francis Liam O'neill, Max Henry, Thomas Joseph Yarmush

Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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