Abacab (Live from N.E.C., Birmingham, 23rd December 1981)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of pervasive unease and hidden flaws. The narrator points to a series of disquieting observations: a crack in the mirror, a hole in the window-pane, and a feeling of being blamed. These aren't grand pronouncements, but small, unsettling details that suggest something is fundamentally wrong, even if it's not immediately obvious. The central tension seems to revolve around accountability and exposure. The narrator repeatedly asks, "Now do you think I'm to blame?" and "don't you think they'll find out?" This suggests a fear of discovery, perhaps for actions taken or for a perceived lack of presence. The chorus, with its cryptic "Abacab," reinforces this sense of something elusive or absent, a state that "isn't anywhere" and "doesn't really care." The imagery of being "covered in cellophane" is particularly striking, evoking a sense of being preserved but also trapped and artificial. This ties into the idea of "illusion" and "a game," where appearances are deceptive. The repeated phrase "there's a hole in there somewhere" acts as a persistent motif, underscoring the idea that despite efforts to conceal, a fundamental flaw or emptiness will eventually reveal itself. Ultimately, the lyrics resonate through their creation of a palpable atmosphere of suspicion and impending revelation. The fragmented observations and insistent questions create a feeling of anxiety, suggesting that the polished surface of things is about to shatter, revealing the "hole" that lies beneath.