The Things We Do to Each Other

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a stark observation: fear and hate are dangerously close. They quickly outline how easily collective fear can be manipulated, needing only "one small twist" to escalate into something more volatile. This sets a tone of urgent warning. The core tension lies in the precariousness of control. The narrator suggests hate can be managed, but "only for so long." This implies a ticking clock, a fragile peace that inevitably shatters, leading to the ominous "when you lose control, oh man." The exclamation hints at the devastating consequences. A key craft element is the mechanical imagery used to describe emotional shifts. Phrases like "kick it up a gear" and "notch it up a gear" depict the transition from fear to hate as a deliberate, almost effortless act of acceleration. This contrasts sharply with the deeply human, destructive outcome implied by "The things we do to each other," making the escalation feel chillingly efficient. The lyrics are effective in their shift from general observation to a deeply personal lament. The repeated refrain, "The things we do to each other," coupled with the direct address "Oh, my sister" and "Oh, my brother," transforms a societal warning into a heartfelt plea. It grounds the abstract dangers of fear and hate in the intimate, painful reality of human conflict, making the message resonate with a profound sense of regret and shared vulnerability.