In Spring of 2010 Unwoman released her fourth full-length self-produced album, Casualties. Its pressing was funded by fans on kickstarter, and its release coincided with a huge bump in her popularity due to several enthusiastic tweets from Amanda Palmer. In September 2011 she released Uncovered Volume 1, an album of dramatic reinterpretations of popular songs written betwen 1980 and 1995, also funded by fans via kickstarter.
Unwoman performs solo, with drummer Felix Macnee as Heavy Sugar Duo, and as a guest in other bands, throughout the US. Unwoman has performed solo at WorldCon (Reno, NV 2011), Steamcon I, II, and III (Seattle), Victoria Steam Exposition (Victoria, BC), Bats Day in the Fun Park (Anaheim, CA), Can't Stop the Serenity (Phoenix, AZ), Nova Albion (SF Bay Area), Fanime (San Jose, CA), and Teslacon (Madison, WI).
Seven Nation Army
Unwoman Lyrics
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A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
They're gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back
And I'm talking to myself at night
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
And the message coming from my eyes
Says leave it alone
Don't want to hear about it
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell
And if I catch it coming back my way
I'm gonna serve it to you
And that aint what you want to hear
But thats what I'll do
And the feeling coming from my bones
Says find a home
I'm going to Wichita
Far from this opera for evermore
I'm gonna work the straw
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
And I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding...
Right before the lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will think no more
And the stains coming from my blood
Tell me go back home
The song "Seven Nation Army" by Unwoman speaks of defiance, determination, and a sense of restlessness. The lyrics imply that the singer is up against numerous adversaries, yet they remain undaunted. The line, "A seven nation army couldn't hold me back," symbolizes that nothing can stand in their way, no matter how many people or institutions may oppose them. The next line, "They're gonna rip it off, taking their time right behind my back," suggests that these opposition forces are constantly trying to undermine and sabotage the singer's efforts.
The lyrics also showcase a conversation of sorts the singer is having with themselves at night. They seem conflicted as they go back and forth in their mind, while holding a cigarette, trying to rationalize their actions. The message coming from their eyes tells everyone to leave them alone, as they don't want to hear about the stories each person has. The line, "And if I catch it coming back my way, I'm gonna serve it to you, and that ain't what you want to hear, but that's what I'll do," indicates that the singer isn't afraid of confronting anyone who comes in their way.
The song's chorus seems to convey a sense of seeking roots and a place to belong. The singer announces their intent to go to Wichita, far from this "opera" for evermore. They're going to work hard and sweat to build a life for themselves. The lines "All the words are gonna bleed from me, and I will think no more, and the stains coming from my blood tell me go back home," suggest that the singer needs to find a way to make peace with their past and find a place they can call home.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna fight 'em all
I will fight against all those who try to hold me back
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
No matter how big the opposition is, I will not be stopped
They're gonna rip it off
The opposition will try to take away what I have achieved
Taking their time right behind my back
They are waiting for the perfect time to strike
And I'm talking to myself at night
I am constantly thinking about my situation
Because I can't forget
I cannot forget about the challenges I am facing
Back and forth through my mind
I am going through different thoughts and ideas
Behind a cigarette
I smoke to calm myself and think about my situation
And the message coming from my eyes
My expression reflects that I want to be left alone
Says leave it alone
I want people to stop bothering me about my problems
Don't want to hear about it
I don't want to listen to anyone else's problems
Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone has their own struggles and experiences
Everyone knows about it
These struggles are known by many
From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell
These struggles affect everyone, from the most powerful to the least powerful
And if I catch it coming back my way
If I encounter similar problems again
I'm gonna serve it to you
I will confront those who caused the problems and make them accountable
And that aint what you want to hear
They don't want to hear the consequences of their actions
But thats what I'll do
I will still stand up for myself and confront them
And the feeling coming from my bones
My whole being tells me to search for a place where I belong
Says find a home
I need to find a place of security and peace
I'm going to Wichita
I'm leaving everything behind and going to a new place
Far from this opera for evermore
I'm leaving the drama and chaos behind me
I'm gonna work the straw
I am ready to put in the hard work and effort necessary
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
I am willing to work very hard
And I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding...
I am in pain and suffering
Right before the lord
I am asking for help from a higher power
All the words are gonna bleed from me
I am about to speak my mind
And I will think no more
I will no longer be held back by my thoughts
And the stains coming from my blood
My physical pain is causing me to feel like I cannot escape my problems
Tell me go back home
I feel like I need to go back to where I came from or find a new home
Writer(s): Jack White Copyright: Peppermint Stripe Music
Contributed by Mason F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.