The Gash
The Flaming Lips Lyrics


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Is that gash in your leg
Really why you have stopped?
'Cause I've noticed all the others
Though they're gashed, they're still going
'Cause I feel like the real reason
That you're quitting
And admitting that you've lost
All the will to battle on

Will the fight for our sanity
Be the fight of our lives?
Now that we've lost all the reasons
That we thought that we had

Still the battle that we're in
Rages on till the end
With explosions, wounds are open
Sights and smells, eyes and noses
But the thought that went unspoken
Was understanding
That you're broken, still the last
Volunteer battles on

Battles on




Battles on
Battles on

Overall Meaning

The Flaming Lips's song The Gash is a melancholic and introspective piece of music that reflects on the nature of life in a seemingly endless battle. The opening lines of the song ask whether the injury on the singer's leg is the reason why they've stopped fighting, implying that there's more to the story than meets the eye. The song slowly unravels, as the lyrics reveal that the singer has lost the will to battle on despite the injuries they've sustained. The song then goes on to ask whether the fight for sanity is the fight of our lives and whether the reasons we thought we had for fighting were worth it. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer acknowledges their brokenness but still fights on as a volunteer.


The lyrics of The Gash are open to interpretation, but it can be seen as a commentary on the challenges of life and how it can impact our mental health. The use of the word "gash" can be seen as a symbol for the wounds we all carry, both physical and emotional. The singer's struggle to continue fighting despite their wounds and the loss of motivation can be seen as a reflection of the daily battles we all face. The song also reflects on the concept of sanity and how it can be a constant struggle to maintain amidst the chaos of life.


Line by Line Meaning

Is that gash in your leg
Are you really giving up because of that injury?


Really why you have stopped?
I'm confused as to why you're giving up now.


'Cause I've noticed all the others
I see that even though others are also injured, they're still fighting.


Though they're gashed, they're still going
Despite their injuries, they continue to move forward.


'Cause I feel like the real reason
I believe the true reason for your surrender is...


That you're quitting
You're giving up.


And admitting that you've lost
You're acknowledging defeat.


All the will to battle on
You've lost the drive to keep fighting.


Will the fight for our sanity
The struggle to maintain our mental health...


Be the fight of our lives?
...is it the biggest battle we'll ever face?


Now that we've lost all the reasons
Since we've lost all the motivating factors...


That we thought that we had
...that we thought we had to keep going.


Still the battle that we're in
However, we're still in the midst of this fight.


Rages on till the end
It continues until its natural conclusion.


With explosions, wounds are open
It's a fight with emotional and physical injuries.


Sights and smells, eyes and noses
It's a fight that assaults all the senses.


But the thought that went unspoken
The underlying concern that wasn't voiced...


Was understanding
...was understanding why you've given up.


That you're broken, still the last
That you're emotionally shattered, but you're the only one left...


Volunteer battles on
...and you choose to keep fighting anyway.


Battles on
Continuing the fight.


Battles on
Pressing forward despite the odds.


Battles on
The struggle continues indefinitely.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL IVINS, STEVEN DROZD, WAYNE COYNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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