Unwound are an American post-hardcore band based in Olympia, Washington, Un… Read Full Bio ↴Unwound are an American post-hardcore band based in Olympia, Washington, United States. They were formed in 1991 by Justin Trosper (guitars and vocals), Vern Rumsey (bass), and Brandt Sandeno (drums), all of whom had previously been in a band called Giant Henry. Brandt Sandeno quit Unwound in 1992 and was replaced by Sara Lund. This lineup would remain in place until the band's dissolution in 2002. The group was strongly associated with the label Kill Rock Stars throughout the 1990s. Unwound was sharply dissonant and angular, often resorting to unusual guitar tones, and associated with post-hardcore and noise rock. The band toured frequently, preferring "all ages" clubs and are noted for their strong DIY ethic. The group spawned numerous side projects.

In July 2022, Unwound announced reunion shows set for 2023, featuring Jared Warren of Melvins and Big Business on bass, replacing Vern Rumsey who sadly passed away in 2020.
http://www.unwoundarchive.com

Swan
Unwound Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Art wrong, swan song, no fun in sun, cake walk, fake talk, burn hot, bad plot, sick thought, fucked up, what now? satan, burning, sun tanned rock fan, plastic, violent, rising.
For what i see is the end is the end
And what i see is the end is the end of the end.
What i see is the end is the end
And what i see is the end is the end of the end.
Too long, god's song, swan dive, my life, sore eyes, dead flies, my soul, white lies.
For what i see is the end is the end
And what i see is the end is the end of the end.

What i see is the end is the end

And what i see is the end is the end of the end.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Unwound's song "Swan" paint a picture of a bleak and nihilistic world. The use of contrasting images, such as "no fun in sun" and "sun tanned rock fan," creates a sense of dissonance and confusion. The mention of Satan and violent imagery suggests a feeling of danger and impending doom. The repeated refrain of "what I see is the end is the end" emphasizes the theme of finality and the idea that all is lost.

Overall, "Swan" seems to explore the idea of existential despair and the feeling of being trapped in a hopeless and bleak world. The imagery used throughout the song suggests a sense of suffocation and hopelessness, highlighting the futility of trying to escape. The line "Too long, god's song, swan dive, my life" suggests a desire for release from the pain and misery of existence, even if it means taking a fatal plunge.

Line by Line Meaning

Art wrong, swan song, no fun in sun, cake walk, fake talk, burn hot, bad plot, sick thought, fucked up, what now?
The art is failed, the farewell is happening, there is no joy in success, everything is easy and artificial, trying to impress, it's intense and unpleasant, the story is hopeless, the idea is twisted and messed up, what is the next step?

satan, burning, sun tanned rock fan, plastic, violent, rising.
Evil, destruction, fan of superficial rock culture, fake and materialistic, aggressive, on the rise.

For what i see is the end is the end
The singer is making a clear statement that their perception of things is that the end is coming.

And what i see is the end is the end of the end.
The singer is emphasizing the finality and inevitability of the end that they foresee.

Too long, god's song, swan dive, my life, sore eyes, dead flies, my soul, white lies.
It's been too drawn out, a religious message that doesn't resonate, self-destructive behavior, a reflection on a troubled life, a painful realization, things that were once alive and now dead, the essence of the singer, the lies they've told themselves.

Contributed by Eliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS