Mars the God of War
The Beths Lyrics


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Mars, the God of War is watching over me
So passively, from the twinkling scenery
Mars, the God of War, pretending so serene
He's keeping his hands clean
While I make war on this war machine
A careful chosen word, designed to hurt
But will it stir some new philosophy?
Retreat or be defeated, baby

I wish that I could wish you well
I wish that I could wish you well
Instead I'm hitting my head and hitting backspace on
"Can't you just go to hell?"

All of your recall requires optometry (requires optometry)
'Cause what I want to see ('cause what I want to see)
Is you seeing clearly
Tenures of regret and my good memory (my good memory)
Spent under tyranny (spent under tyranny)
It ends tonight in quiet steam
Be careful where you reach for sympathy
'Cause it won't be where you got it before
Retreat, rinse and repeat it, baby

I wish that I could wish you well
I wish that I could wish you well
Instead I'm hitting my head and hitting backspace on
"Can't you just go to hell?" (Can't you just go to hell?)

Position changing, never engaging
It's not just the dawn that's breaking
(It's not just the dawn that's breaking)
I'll keep hating the red star fading
And it's not just the dawn that's breaking
It's not just the dawn that breaks

I wish that I could wish you well
I wish that I could wish you well
Instead I'm hitting my head and hitting backspace on
"Can't you just go to hell?"
I wish that I could wish you well
I wish that I could wish you well




Instead I'm hitting my head and hitting backspace on
"Can't you just go to hell?" (Can't you just go to hell?)

Overall Meaning

In "Mars the God of War," The Beths address the turmoil that ensues after an ended relationship. The track is a discourse between Elizabeth Stokes (the band’s lead vocalist) and the God of War, who Stokes visualizes as watching her passively from a distance, as she self-destructs on the battlefield. In the song, the God of War seems detached from any violence he caused, representing in a way her past lover. Meanwhile, Stokes is fighting a “war machine” while doing her best to avoid the pain, but finding herself unable to do so. She ruminates on her words and actions that are intended to hurt but wonders if this will create a new way of thinking, or if it will result in retreat or defeat.


Stokes' tone is nervous throughout the song. She wants to move on but can't help remembering everything she's gone through in the relationship. The repeated line “I wish that I could wish you well” reveals that she still cares for the person they’re addressing, and realizes that the situation wouldn’t have existed if not for the genuine affection she had for him. Stokes is frustrated with herself for being unable to let go of the relationship, in contrast to her request that he “just go to hell.”


In general, "Mars the God of War" is a powerful song about coming to grips with heartbreak and loss. Stokes’ sweet yet cutting pop-punk vocals convey the emotional rollercoaster that follows a breakup, while the instrumentation evokes feelings of both anger and sorrow.


Line by Line Meaning

Mars, the God of War is watching over me
Despite the violence and destruction around, I believe I'm being protected by Mars, the God of War, who is passively watching me from a distance.


So passively, from the twinkling scenery
Mars is calmly watching and not actively participating in the chaos and violence.


Mars, the God of War, pretending so serene
Mars appears calm and tranquil, even though he is known for his association with war and violence.


He's keeping his hands clean
Although Mars is associated with war and violence, he is not involved in any conflict or destruction happening around.


While I make war on this war machine
I am fighting against the destructive forces and machines of war.


A carefully chosen word, designed to hurt
I am using words as weapons, carefully selecting them to cause maximum pain and hurt to my opponent.


But will it stir some new philosophy?
I hope my words will provoke my opponent to think differently and maybe cause a change in their perspective.


Retreat or be defeated, baby
My opponent has two options - either withdraw from the conflict or face defeat and failure.


I wish that I could wish you well
Despite the conflict and animosity, I genuinely wish my opponent all the best.


Instead I'm hitting my head and hitting backspace on "Can't you just go to hell?"
However, my anger and frustration are getting the better of me, and I end up typing hurtful things out of impulse.


All of your recall requires optometry (requires optometry)
My opponent's memory is flawed and needs correction like one's eyesight, so they can see things clearly.


"Cause what I want to see ('cause what I want to see) Is you seeing clearly
I want my opponent to have a clear understanding of their actions and behavior, so they can learn from their mistakes.


Tenures of regret and my good memory (my good memory) Spent under tyranny (spent under tyranny)
I have spent many years regretting past events and remembering the pain and suffering inflicted by those in power.


It ends tonight in quiet steam
The conflict ends tonight, but it will not end with a bang, with force or noise but in a peaceful and quiet manner.


Be careful where you reach for sympathy
My opponent should be cautious about seeking sympathy from others because it might not come from the same place as before.


'Cause it won't be where you got it before
Sympathy might not be available from the same people or source as it was available before.


Retreat, rinse and repeat it, baby
If my opponent does not learn from their mistakes, they will repeat the same destructive patterns, leading to repetitive conflict.


Position changing, never engaging
In this conflict, I am changing my position and strategy but not actively engaging in fighting, instead using verbal aggression.


It's not just the dawn that's breaking
Something is changing, not just the dawn, but something inside me, and I am starting to see things differently.


I'll keep hating the red star fading
I am still filled with hatred and animosity towards my opponent, but I see that their power is fading.


And it's not just the dawn that's breaking It's not just the dawn that breaks
Something significant is changing, not just the dawn, but the entire situation is shifting and transforming.




Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Elizabeth Barbara Stokes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@lillahsummersdixon4182

i cant put into words how much i love the beths 🥺

@mortifiedgluten7206

the emotion of hearing their music and seeing their videos can only be described as just a cluster of heart emoticons shfjdskh

@criminallettucewraps5207

Same!!! Like it’s one of the very few bands that just makes me want to jump around and dance! I’ve been listening to them since like September 2020 and my god I can stop listening to them. It’s like I’ve just discovered them last week and still can’t take them off repeat.

@ArcVega

Everytime I come back to this song I swear it’s even better.

@ThatGenericCanadian

This song is one of my faves off the new album, the guitar is constantly stuck in my head.

@katiebruell7679

Same!

@namvu2362

Weird thing, but I swear I've seen your comments in the last few videos I've watched that aren't exactly related. Spooky.

@ThatGenericCanadian

@@namvu2362 Im not sure if you're making a joke about your username or not, but I dunno, I tend to watch car videos and tech stuff too

@sphasmxl871

Same

@fionac4008

The 2:09 pigeon shot is everything

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