Checkerboards
Tiles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the meaning is we're bleeding
Moving the checkers on the board
Chasing our selfish benefit
In the hallowed halls of avarice
King us on the checkerboard
Scattering checkers on the floor
Scattering checkers on the floor
Thinking in the past
Of all the things which didn't last
Dispel the stress of compromise
Uncertain aims were no surprise
As the path played out ahead
And condescending words were said
I know the will was mine
A future dreamt within my mind
The purpose has meaning
But the meaning is we're bleeding
Moving the checkers on the board
Chasing our selfish benefit
In the hallowed halls of avarice
King us on the checkerboard
Scattering checkers on the floor
Scattering checkers on the floor
Can we define what's right
Fighting ourselves with all our might
Thoughts and strategies are terms
To reject upon the urge
Can't deflect impending shame
By passing on your shame of the blame
Weapons rust in the rain
The same mistakes will strike again
The purpose has meaning
But the meaning is we're bleeding
Moving the checkers on the board
Chasing our selfish benefit
In the hallowed halls of avarice
King us on the checkerboard
Scattering checkers on the floor
Scattering checkers on the
I am sitting in the crowd
Unresponsive to the voices that I hear
Shouting out can't catch my ear
I am thinking with furrowed brow
Wondering why we foster
Nurture all our fears
Enemies ever oh so near
Always knowing the answer
Always knowing what is best
Disrupting the balance of nature
Neglecting our cause and effect
I am waiting patiently
Ignoring forces hoping to take hold of me
When will this distance set me free?
I am sorry once again
Disruptions claim my inner thoughts
I do not speak
Uncommon sense just out of reach
Social structure with order
Socially separate we discover
Traits of distinction denied
Mistaking our heritage for pride
Disruptions fuel the motion
Conflict feeds our institutions
Right and wrong defy description
Freedom without restitution
Is all life based on illusion?
Left is right?
But right is wrong?
Peers dictating who belongs
Thrill to the kill
As we kill what we fear
What we don't understand
And what isn't clear
The purpose has meaning
But the meaning is we're bleeding
Moving the checkers on the board
Chasing our selfish benefit
In the hallowed halls of avarice
King us on the checkerboard
We don't know we're losing
Euphoric we're choosing
Falling off the checkerboard
The lyrics to Tiles's song Checkerboards are a commentary on the current state of society, particularly on the self-centered behavior of individuals and the lack of unity in social order. The checkers on the board represent the people who are making moves and trying to advance themselves without much regard for the greater good. The hallowed halls of avarice symbolize the corrupt institutions and the individuals who are blinded by their own greed. The lyrics suggest that people are chasing their personal interests to the point of bleeding, and ultimately falling off the checkerboard.
The second verse reflects on the past and the compromises made that have led to uncertain aims. The singer asserts that the will to achieve goals was his own but wonders whether the same applies to others. The tone is regretful and reflective, depicting how easily people become swept up in their own ideas and desires, even when it leads them astray.
The third verse asks whether it is possible to define what is right when people fight so hard against themselves. The lyrics caution against deflecting blame or shame and suggest that mistakes will repeat themselves unless changes are made. The chorus repeats, emphasizing that people are chasing their selfish benefit and that this pursuit can lead to dangerous consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
The purpose has meaning
There is intention and significance behind our actions
But the meaning is we're bleeding
However, our actions are causing harm and pain
Moving the checkers on the board
We are taking actions to achieve our goals
Chasing our selfish benefit
We are primarily focused on our own gain
In the hallowed halls of avarice
We are driven by greed and desire for wealth
King us on the checkerboard
We are promoting ourselves to a higher status through our actions
Scattering checkers on the floor
Our actions have caused chaos and disorder
Thinking in the past
Reflecting on previous experiences
Of all the things which didn't last
Remembering things that didn't work out
Dispel the stress of compromise
Trying to alleviate the pressure of making concessions
Uncertain aims were no surprise
Not being entirely sure of our goals is expected
As the path played out ahead
Looking ahead at the course of action
And condescending words were said
Experiencing judgmental and patronizing comments
I know the will was mine
I am aware that I am responsible for my actions and decisions
A future dreamt within my mind
I had an envisioned plan for the future
Can we define what's right
Is it possible to determine what is morally correct?
Fighting ourselves with all our might
Struggling with internal conflict and contradiction
Thoughts and strategies are terms
Concepts and plans are just words
To reject upon the urge
We may feel compelled to disregard them
Can't deflect impending shame
We can't evade the inevitable sense of guilt or humiliation
By passing on your shame of the blame
Blaming others for your own mistakes won't ease your own culpability
Weapons rust in the rain
Violent actions lose their effectiveness over time
The same mistakes will strike again
Making the same errors is inevitable if we don't learn from them
I am sitting in the crowd
I am an observer in a group of people
Unresponsive to the voices that I hear
I am not reacting or responding to the opinions of others
Shouting out can't catch my ear
Even loud and forceful communication can't grab my attention
I am thinking with furrowed brow
I am contemplating with a concentrated expression
Wondering why we foster
Questioning why we nurture or cultivate certain things
Nurture all our fears
We are fostering our anxieties and insecurities
Enemies ever oh so near
Feeling like danger or opposition is always close by
Always knowing the answer
Having excessive confidence in our own expertise or knowledge
Always knowing what is best
Thinking that we always have the ideal solution or answer
Disrupting the balance of nature
Upsetting the equilibrium of the natural world
Neglecting our cause and effect
Ignoring the consequences of our actions
Ignoring forces hoping to take hold of me
Deliberately disregarding influences that could manipulate or control me
When will this distance set me free?
When will I be detached or liberated from these pressures?
Disruptions claim my inner thoughts
Mental disturbances are distracting and affecting my thinking
I do not speak
I am choosing not to express myself
Uncommon sense just out of reach
Having a perception or awareness that is not innate, but difficult to attain
Social structure with order
Organized and structured grouping of people
Socially separate we discover
Being kept apart, we identify
Traits of distinction denied
Attributes that differentiate are being refused or denied
Mistaking our heritage for pride
Confusing our lineage or history with boastful sentiments
Disruptions fuel the motion
Upheavals or disturbances encourage us to take action
Conflict feeds our institutions
Struggles and battles support or sustain the foundations of our society
Right and wrong defy description
It's difficult to clearly and precisely define morality
Freedom without restitution
Liberty without compensation or reparation
Is all life based on illusion?
Is everything we perceive and believe simply a product of our own imagination?
Left is right?
Our perception of good or bad is misguided?
But right is wrong?
However, bad behavior is rationalized or justified?
Peers dictating who belongs
Those around us declaring who is allowed and who isn't
Thrill to the kill
Enjoyment of causing harm to others
As we kill what we fear
Eliminating what scares us
What we don't understand
What we find complicated and incomprehensible
And what isn't clear
And what lacks definition or is ambiguous
We don't know we're losing
We are unaware that we are failing or being defeated
Euphoric we're choosing
Feeling extreme excitement or pleasure in our decisions
Falling off the checkerboard
We are deviating from the original course of action
Contributed by Claire T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.