Above

Song Meaning

The lyrics to "Above" paint a stark picture of internal emptiness and a fading sense of self. Phrases like "Inside I'm gone" and "color fading is all the way to grey" immediately establish a mood of resignation and loss. There's a palpable sense of being trapped, unable to "get away" despite a desire for distance. A core tension emerges from the collective self-assessment in the chorus: "We are strong but we're dumb." This isn't just a lament; it's a critical, almost cynical, observation about human nature. It suggests an inherent capability or resilience ("strong") undermined by a fundamental lack of wisdom or critical thought ("dumb"), leading to a repetitive, almost instinctual response to external forces. The "plastic bag image" is a particularly striking piece of craft. It evokes a sense of being weightless, disposable, and at the mercy of unseen currents, mirroring the feeling of fading agency described elsewhere. This mundane object becomes a powerful metaphor for a loss of control, amplified by the narrator's observation that "The one reaction is only to obey," further cementing a sense of passive existence. The effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw, unvarnished honesty and the stark contrast they present. The repeated plea to "look above" isn't necessarily hopeful; instead, it seems to stem from this acknowledged "dumbness," a desperate, almost reflexive search for answers or guidance when internal resources feel depleted. This creates a compelling portrait of human vulnerability, where strength exists alongside a profound, almost willful, ignorance.