TW//
This song has a lot of heavy topics including, The Syrian Civil War, mental institutions, depression and suicidal thoughts, dying refugees, if any of that sounds like it could trigger a reaction I recommend you don't read this week
Didn't Know What I was in for - Better Oblivion Community Center
Hello everyone sorry for being so late but it's here Scout's Song of The Week! This time I bring to your attention a little number called "Didn't Know What I was in for" By the band Better Oblivion Community Center a band comprised of the two artist Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst
This song tackles a lot all the way from fake people to insane asylums to the tragedy that is dying refugees most likely referring to the 2011 Syrian Civil War. And for the sake of not belittling or making light of the situation I'm not going to be making any jokes or comments about that.
Ee=veryone looks happy with each other 'Til they step away and say the thing they really meant
This song starts off talking about the narrators summer job, she works at the pool and hears everyone's conversations or more accurately, the fakeness that goes on with them. Where they'll say one thing but when that person steps away say "What they really meant." implying that a lot of people nowadays are two faced.
Says she cries at the news but doesn't really 'Cause it's too much fun, there's too much time And too much plastic money to be made
And it reinforces that with the next line talking about a girl they know in the city who takes advantage of people who are slow to trends for profit
It then starts a recurring theme of powerlessness, where the singer tries to do things that will help the world but in reality those things hardly help. It really shines a light on how easy it is to feel powerless, trapped, or unable to change your surroundings. It's a really scary thought.
I didn't know what I was in for When they took my belt and strings They told me I'd gone crazy
Cut to the singer in a mental institution where they're labeled crazy and put into a straightjacket, preventing them from even trying to help or change anything.
I didn't know what I was in for When I laid out in the sun We get burned for being honest I've really never done anything, for anyone
Now the last one, it seems to me this one is about running yourself thin, but still not effecting anything. As the singer said they've never really helped anyone but they've been burned for what they have done
To fall asleep I need white noise to distract me Otherwise I have to listen to me think
And the last lyrics is pretty dark honestly It's about the singers trouble sleeping. Doesn't sound dark? That's because the trouble sleeping isn't the dark part! It's the thing keeping them awake:D
The actual line is about your own thoughts keeping you awake. Happens to everyone yes? Well yeah but depending on who you are being alone with your thoughts is scary and because of how this part ends, I'm lead to believe this person suffers from suicidal thoughts, the white noise isn't to help them sleep it's to drown out their own awful thoughts.
Otherwise I pace around, hold my breath, let it out Sit on the couch and think about How living's just a promise that I made
Oh god sorry I did not mean to do a whole essay but the words just kept coming anyway yes challenges readers! I want you to go out and find a piece of literature that tackles on of the themes mentioned here, unless it would be unsafe for you.
Writers I didn't forget about you this one is a bit more simple but I think it should make some interesting pieces I just want you to look up the lyrics to this song, pick your favorite line, (or lines) and use that as a base for something, poem, short story, hell write a novel if you want as long as one or more lines from this is the base.
I'm honestly not sure when I'll be back but this is Scout g off for the week
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