The John Steel Singers is an Australian indie band

The band comes fr… Read Full Bio ↴The John Steel Singers is an Australian indie band

The band comes from Brisbane, and is made up of Scott Bromiley (vocals, guitar, keyboards, trumpet, bass), Tim Morrissey (vocals, guitar, keyborads), Ross Chandler (drums, cowbell, glockenspiel), Pete Bernoth (vocals, keyboards, trombone), and Luke McDonald (guitar, keyboards, vocals) .

Great Divided Self
The John Steel Singers Lyrics

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Stare at the ceiling of an unkempt room
Humming a tune
I was happy ′till my options came
And severed my brain
To assess my limitations made
Keep me at bay
Or else you'll see me in the Overlook Maze
Blind and insane

Blind and insane
Blind and insane

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The John Steel Singers's song "Great Divided Self" delve into the internal struggles and conflicts that arise within one's own mind. The opening line sets the scene of a disheveled room, with the singer staring at the ceiling. They find solace in humming a tune, suggesting a sense of contentment or inner peace. However, this state of happiness is disrupted when their options come into play, causing a division within their own thoughts.

The phrase "severed my brain" signifies the impact of these conflicting options and how they have disrupted the singer's state of mind. They feel compelled to assess their limitations and keep themselves restrained, likely in order to maintain some semblance of stability. The mention of the "Overlook Maze" alludes to the maze-like nature of their thoughts, where they risk becoming blind to reason and driven to insanity if they do not find a way to navigate through their internal struggles.

The repetition of the phrase "Blind and insane" suggests a growing fear or awareness of the consequences of allowing these conflicts to persist. It conveys a sense of being trapped within one's own mind and losing sight of rationality. Overall, the lyrics of "Great Divided Self" explore the struggle between the various aspects of one's own psyche and the potentially detrimental effects of not finding a resolution.

Line by Line Meaning

Stare at the ceiling of an unkempt room
Gaze upwards at the neglected, disordered space around me

Humming a tune
Creating a melody with my voice

I was happy ′till my options came
I was content until choices presented themselves

And severed my brain
And divided my thoughts and emotions

To assess my limitations made
To examine the boundaries of my capabilities

Keep me at bay
Restrict me from approaching or getting too close

Or else you'll see me in the Overlook Maze
Otherwise, I'll be trapped in a confusing and overwhelming labyrinth

Blind and insane
Unable to see and mentally unstable