A reddit post on r/itsclippingbitch by user pdw1992 details the connections between the song and the novels.
@clppng on Twitter follows Jemisin’s account and has been known to retweet her stuff.
DD: “There’s a whole batch of songs we recorded in New York while I was also doing a play, and so we’d work all day and then I’d go do this show at night. For a long time, there was a version of this one that I couldn’t stand the vocal performance on. It’s obviously a pretty technical song, and I just never nailed it and I sound tired and all of this. So it ended up being the last thing we finished.”
- Apple Music Track-By-Track
Something Underneath
clipping. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the rain beat down, down, down
And the sun beat down, down, down
And beat in the ground, ground, ground
Down, down, down
Down, down
Massacre in the making
Breaking the face of the planet
Waiting for something to shake
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down (shake it down)
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down (shake it down)
Break it down, break it down, break it down (go)
Down, down, down
Down, down
Raise up
How high?
Broken middle finger pointed right up to the sky
Broken fist and hammer hangin' right up in the light
Waiting patient for the signal when the time is right to bring it down
(They ain't ready for it)
Shh, bring it down, bring it down, bring it down (bring it down)
Swing it down, swing it down, swing it down (swing it down)
Break it down, break it down, break it down (go)
Down, down, down
Down, down
Raise up
Birds free, words hang like neck on tree
Or more like secret on country
Au contraire, more like skin on teeth
Thin veil don't tell what it don't see
Many mini things are multiplying at the bottom where the base of everything is from
Hot, hit the core, work on the floor
Don't stop 'til they're strong enough to hold the hordes (oh god)
Air is heavy, you wet, the sweat
Drown, drown, drown (drown)
Nobody better make a sound, sound, sound (shh)
Break it down, break it down, break it down (go)
Down, down, down
Down, down
Raise up
Something is underneath, the weight's off
Birds in the trees don't sing
As if the mountain peaks would break off
Storms overseas forming
It's on the way, maybe a day off
Call it a reborning
Any living thing that could stave off
Surely will be mourning
Core snap like yolk
Floor crack like joke
More cat eye opens
Sky racked like coat
Crust break like bread
Dust spread like butter
Forward, get a hoard to make the enemy suffer
Muscle that was forged up in the center of Mother Earth
Utterly formless pours out from the gutters
And bubbles and sputters into a solid and moves quick
Teeth sharp like collar
Bone hard like dick
Fuck up all obstacle
Obelisk topple, awkward
Down, down, down
And more thick sounding thunder cracks surround the world
With the force to rack brain
Pain vice like grip
They all trip
Struggle down, struggle down, struggle down (struggle down)
Tumble down, tumble down, tumble down (tumble down)
Break it down, break it down, break it down (go)
Down, down, down
Down, down
Raise up
Running through the streets, they don't stop
Cannibal canopy coming to claim the main spot in evolution
Nothing to do with brain
Insane thoughts and sentient ideas
The safety's saying drop that shit (drop that shit)
What's cooler than being cool? (Ice cold)
Freezer gotta feeling to bite
And those spikes
Break it down, break it down, break it down (go)
Down, down, down
Down, down (up)
Falling is the same as
Jumping is the same as
Waiting for the fall
That you all say is coming
You know that you gotta make the call
And if you saying something other than it's time to end it all
Then you were playing silly games like there is nothing there to follow
Wallow in the shallow water where they're dying
All these calls of returning to the birth
Without the comfort of a wall
Inside a womb in Mother Earth
Again she doesn't care
The sprawl of bodies lying on the shore
And they'll make anyone at fault
If there was anyone to see the water
With animals small enough for them to let them be
To feed on pieces of them all
Whatever's left of all the people once they give up on the raw
'Cause that will be a lovely treat to everybody that's involved
Lay it down, lay it down, lay it down (lay it down)
Keep it down, keep it down, keep it down (keep it down)
Break it down, break it down, break it down (go)
Down, down, down
Down, down
Raise up
Something is underneath, the weight's off
Birds in the trees don't sing
As if the mountain peaks would break off
Storms overseas forming
It's on the way, maybe a day off
Call it a reborning
And any living thing that could stave off
Surely will be mourning
The lyrics to clipping.'s "Something Underneath" are raw and intense, with a pounding beat and ominous sound creating an atmosphere of impending doom. The lyrics themselves convey a sense of chaos and destruction, with lines like "Massacre in the making" and "Breaking the face of the planet" painting a picture of violence and upheaval. The repeated refrain of "shake it down" and "break it down" adds to this sense of destruction, as if the song itself is urging listeners to tear everything apart.
As the song continues, the lyrics become more abstract, with references to birds, trees, and Mother Earth. The lines "Birds free, words hang like neck on tree / Or more like secret on country" suggest a sense of freedom and rebellion, with the "secret on country" perhaps implying a hidden resistance movement. The repetition of "down, down, down" throughout the song gives a sense of things spiraling out of control, with no way to stop the impending disaster. In the end, the lyrics seem to suggest that something new is coming, a "reborning," but at a great cost to all living things.
Line by Line Meaning
Raise up out the dirt
Rise up from below, where things are often buried or forgotten
And the rain beat down, down, down
Heavy rainfall, forceful and unyielding
And the sun beat down, down, down
Unrelenting heat, soaking up all moisture
And beat in the ground, ground, ground
Intense pressure on the ground, compacting it
Down, down, down
Repeated metaphorical descent
Down, down
More metaphorical descent
Massacre in the making
Terrible violence is imminent
There's not a place you can take it
Nowhere is safe from the violence
Breaking the face of the planet
The world is being violently destroyed
Waiting for something to shake
Anticipation of a catastrophic event
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down (shake it down)
Demanding that everything be destroyed
Break it down, break it down, break it down (go)
Demanding that everything be dismantled
Raise up
Rise up, like a call to action
How high?
Questioning how far the action will go
Broken middle finger pointed right up to the sky
Defiance and rebellion against authority
Broken fist and hammer hangin' right up in the light
Symbolism of oppression and power
Waiting patient for the signal when the time is right to bring it down
Waiting for the opportune moment to strike
(They ain't ready for it)
Anticipating the overwhelming force and destruction
Shh, bring it down, bring it down, bring it down (bring it down)
Commanding silence while unleashing destruction
Swing it down, swing it down, swing it down (swing it down)
Commanding action to destroy
Birds free, words hang like neck on tree
Freedom is fleeting, and communication is dangerous
Or more like secret on country
Secrets and information are power and control
Au contraire, more like skin on teeth
Something difficult to remove or shake loose
Thin veil don't tell what it don't see
The truth is often obscured and hidden
Many mini things are multiplying at the bottom where the base of everything is from
Things are growing and multiplying from the most basic foundation
Hot, hit the core, work on the floor
Digging deep and working hard at the most fundamental level
Don't stop 'til they're strong enough to hold the hordes (oh god)
Working tirelessly to prepare for a massive onslaught
Air is heavy, you wet, the sweat
Oppressive and uncomfortable conditions
Drown, drown, drown (drown)
Suffocating and drowning in the harsh environment
Nobody better make a sound, sound, sound (shh)
Commanding silence for safety and secrecy
Something is underneath, the weight's off
A force is building below the surface and it's changing things
Birds in the trees don't sing
Nature is sensing the impending disaster
As if the mountain peaks would break off
The land is unstable and ready to fall apart
Storms overseas forming
More chaos is brewing globally
It's on the way, maybe a day off
The disaster is imminent and could happen at any moment
Call it a reborning
The destruction will lead to something new
Any living thing that could stave off
No one is prepared for the coming destruction
Surely will be mourning
Grief and loss will be inevitable
Core snap like yolk
The Earth's core is fragile and could break
Floor crack like joke
The ground will give way and collapse
More cat eye opens
A new perspective is gained through the destruction
Sky racked like coat
The atmosphere is in turmoil
Crust break like bread
The Earth's crust is fragile and unstable
Dust spread like butter
The destruction is widespread and chaotic
Forward, get a hoard to make the enemy suffer
The destruction is aimed at causing suffering to an opposing force
Muscle that was forged up in the center of Mother Earth
A powerful force has been building deep within the planet
Utterly formless pours out from the gutters
This force is shapeless and chaotic, pouring out from the most basic level
And bubbles and sputters into a solid and moves quick
This force is quickly gaining strength and taking shape
Teeth sharp like collar
This force is dangerous and sharp
Bone hard like dick
This force is strong and unyielding
Fuck up all obstacle
This force will destroy anything in its path
Obelisk topple, awkward
Even monumental structures will fall in its wake
And more thick sounding thunder cracks surround the world
The sound of destruction echoes across the globe
With the force to rack brain
The destruction is mentally taxing and overwhelming
Pain vice like grip
The pain and suffering is intense and inescapable
They all trip
Even those who thought they were prepared are overcome
Struggle down, struggle down, struggle down (struggle down)
Even in the face of destruction, people will continue to struggle and resist
Tumble down, tumble down, tumble down (tumble down)
Everything will collapse and crumble
Running through the streets, they don't stop
People are fleeing in panic and desperation
Cannibal canopy coming to claim the main spot in evolution
Anarchy and chaos will reign as those who survive fight for dominance
Nothing to do with brain
This is not a matter of intellect or reason
Insane thoughts and sentient ideas
Emotion and instinct will determine survival
The safety's saying drop that shit (drop that shit)
Those in power are demanding that people surrender weapons or other defenses
What's cooler than being cool? (Ice cold)
A sarcastic response to the demand for surrender
Freezer gotta feeling to bite
The cold and unforgiving environment will be a challenge to survival
And those spikes
Dangerous obstacles lie ahead
Down, down (up)
Repeated image of falling and rising
Falling is the same as
Falling and failing are equivalent
Jumping is the same as
Taking a leap of faith is just as risky
Waiting for the fall
Anticipation of disaster
That you all say is coming
The inevitable disaster has been predicted
You know that you gotta make the call
A call to action in the face of the disaster
And if you saying something other than it's time to end it all
Those who deny the coming destruction are in denial
Then you were playing silly games like there is nothing there to follow
Denying reality and refusing to face the coming disaster
Wallow in the shallow water where they're dying
Those who do not prepare will struggle to survive
All these calls of returning to the birth
Calls to return to the most basic level of existence
Without the comfort of a wall
Without the safety and security of shelter
Inside a womb in Mother Earth
Finding refuge and safety in the depths of the planet
Again she doesn't care
The planet is indifferent to the plight of humanity
The sprawl of bodies lying on the shore
The aftermath of the disaster will be devastating
And they'll make anyone at fault
Blame will be placed on someone for the disaster
If there was anyone to see the water
If anyone was around to witness the disaster
With animals small enough for them to let them be
Survival will depend on small and insignificant creatures
To feed on pieces of them all
Even in the face of disaster, the cycle of life will continue
Whatever's left of all the people once they give up on the raw
The survivors will have to rely on their instincts and basic survival skills
'Cause that will be a lovely treat to everybody that's involved
Sarcasm about the terrible aftermath of the disaster
Lay it down, lay it down, lay it down (lay it down)
Commanding surrender and submission
Keep it down, keep it down, keep it down (keep it down)
Demanding silence and obedience
And any living thing that could stave off
Anything that could survive the disaster
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William Hutson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind