Two Tribes (808 State Remix)

Song Meaning

The lyrics immediately plunge into a stark, critical vision, declaring a land where "sex and horror are the new Gods." This provocative opening establishes a world driven by base instincts and sensationalism. Amidst this backdrop, a repetitive, urgent warning rings out: when "two tribes go to war," any perceived victory is fleeting and ultimately meaningless. The central tension revolves around the relentless, cyclical nature of conflict. The phrase "When two tribes go to war" is repeated with an almost hypnotic insistence, suggesting an inescapable pattern of human aggression. The immediate follow-up, "A point is all that you can score," strips away any grandeur from battle, reducing it to a trivial gain. This perceived victory is instantly negated by the emphatic "Score no more! Score no more!", creating a profound sense of futility and despair. The repetition hammers home the idea that these struggles are ultimately self-defeating. The lyrical craft hinges on this powerful repetition, which mimics the exhausting, circular nature of conflict itself. The insistent rhythm of the refrain makes the message feel inescapable, almost a chant of resignation. Adding to this bleak vision is the cryptic line, "Working for the black gas." This phrase, appearing twice, acts as an ominous undercurrent, suggesting a hidden, destructive force or a grim, exploitative labor that fuels this pointless tribalism, further deepening the sense of societal decay.