Pretend
Totem Skin Lyrics
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For reality openly obscene
Taught not to question the roles we are granted
Quelling urges of thoughts any grander
But I guess that it's hard to see
The horizon of a sullied sea
When ocean's stirred and the current wrecks
And shallow waters cover necks
A manufactured permanent consent
A vision in two definitions
Did Fuller's Spaceship Earth crash and burn?
Was Imagine just a song?
Can currents change their paths?
Withered voices given strength
After being kept at length
- For tacit credence cause the end -
And only then may we ascend
Only reaching far behind
Leads to rigid state of mind
It's never-questioned validity
Borders on morbidity
So don't look back but fix your eyes
Towards wherever change may lie
A vision reborn is means to end
But as of now we just pretend
The lyrics of Totem Skin's song "Pretend" speak of the suffocating nature of conformity and how it hinders the ability to critically think and question our roles and lives. The first verse sets the scene by giving a disturbing image of a boot stamping on a face, which represents the oppressive force of reality that is "openly obscene." The next line refers to how we are taught not to question the roles we are given and how we repress any grander thoughts, thus implying that society demands conformity from us. However, the singer also points out the difficulty in breaking free from this cycle, as it can be tough to see beyond the "sullied sea" while we are drowning in its current. The idea of shallow waters covering necks highlights how the cycles mentioned in the first few lines restrain and suffocate people to the point of near-death.
The second verse discusses how we are more prone to blindly accepting the manufactured consent of society. The idea of a "vision in two definitions" is interesting as it implies that society has stereo vision, which blinds people into seeing a simplistic, black-and-white version of life. Furthermore, the lyrics of "Pretend" ask questions about past figures like Fuller, author of the book "Spaceship Earth," and musicians like Lennon who wrote "Imagine." The questions raised by the song imply that their ideas may have failed in the face of society’s control. The chorus highlights the idea that our minds must be freed from repression if we ever hope to "ascend."
Line by Line Meaning
A boot stamping on a face sets (the) scene
A brutal image creates the backdrop for the shocking reality society exposes us to.
For reality openly obscene
The true nature of society is vile, repugnant and loathsome.
Taught not to question the roles we are granted
We're conditioned to submit to the societal norms and never challenge our assigned roles.
Quelling urges of thoughts any grander
Suppressing our aspirations, even if they are capable of of bringing something exceptional to the world.
But I guess that it's hard to see
It's difficult to imagine a world beyond the current system.
The horizon of a sullied sea
A future filled with dirt, pollution and destruction.
When ocean's stirred and the current wrecks
When chaos ensues and the status quo is ruptured.
And shallow waters cover necks
The masses are easily overwhelmed by the sudden change and succumb to the chaos.
A manufactured permanent consent
The society enforces a forced agreement that we comply without any questions.
A vision in two definitions
The vision that the society sells us, and the harsh reality of it, are two distinct things.
Did Fuller's Spaceship Earth crash and burn?
Does the concept of Spaceship Earth - the planet as one living organism - failed to take off and prove to be successful?
Was Imagine just a song?
Is there no basis of truth in the optimistic, somewhat utopian view of the world depicted by the song 'Imagine', by John Lennon?
Can currents change their paths?
Can the society break free of its pre-ordained destiny, can it go against the currents of routine?
Withered voices given strength
The voices that have been suppressed or repressed with age, now have the power to speak up.
After being kept at length
Their voices have been silenced for far too long, but they're only starting to speak up now.
- For tacit credence cause the end -
Silently accepting the prevailing norms shall only lead to an eventual, catastrophic end.
And only then may we ascend
However, speaking up and challenging the status quo shall lead to progress and upliftment.
Only reaching far behind
Sticking to outdated ideas of the past.
Leads to rigid state of mind
Such an adherence to the past leads to a rigid and inflexible state of mind.
It's never-questioned validity
Relying on age-old beliefs whose validity is never scrutinized nor challenged.
Borders on morbidity
It means the stagnation is bordering on death.
So don't look back but fix your eyes
Looking towards the future and keeping your focus on it.
Towards wherever change may lie
Heading where change is possible and can make a difference.
A vision reborn is means to end
Contemplating on a new and better world can be the means of reaching the desired end.
But as of now we just pretend
However, until that new world actually comes into being, we must continue to pretend and go on with our routine lives.
Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AMask ofGreen
My favorite song from this album. It's a shame they broke up.
Timmy Turner
Fuck I was hoping for a new album
CugnoTheSwiss
4:17 For the love of the almighty elders!!! What kind of sorcery is this?
Best punch in my face ever!
Kabelczerwony
KURWA! How good is that!
Gerard Adri
this fucking band is far too underrated
ogg future
too bad they are done :/
Cerra Cerra
Top
Feodorovich18 Stravinsky
c:
TheUmart
ccc,sta ti decko radis
ogg future
lajk, šer end sabskrajb, maj niga niga