Birds by Death Grips Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Cryptic Allegory of Existence
Lyrics
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
I got tomorrow coming
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
In
Birds
Fuck you
I’ve got a bluebird
It might die
It got wetted
I stayed dry
I’m not trying to use my mind
I got that attitude at all times
I’ve got this attitude at all times
I got a black cat
It might live
It’s got a black hat
It goes big
I had a bluebird
Now it’s dead
one, two, three, four
One bird, two birds, three birds, four
Five birds, six times life is war
One bird, two birds, three birds, four
Fuck you think I fuck this for
I got tomorrow coming
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
In
I got tomorrow coming
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
In
I got tomorrow coming
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
I got tomorrow coming
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
I got tomorrow coming
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
I got tomorrow coming
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
In
Fuck you
I got you now in my way
I got right now between my legs
I put right now between your legs
I got today shoveling graves
I got tomorrow turning in your grave
I got Jesus, he got saved
I got power, it’s so cheap
Fuck this bird, bitch, drink this bleach
one, two, three, four
One bird, two birds, three birds, four
Five birds, six times life is war
One bird, two birds, three birds, four
Fuck you think I fuck this for
I got higher
I got fake
I got higher
I got fake
I got higher
I got fake
I got higher
I got
Birds
Birds
I got tomorrow coming
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
I got tomorrow coming
I got, got, I got
I got tomorrow coming
In
Birds
Fuck you
Amidst the chaotic sonic landscape that defines Death Grips, the track ‘Birds’ emerges as a perplexing enigma, a fusion of aggressive electronic beats and cryptic lyricism. The song is a concatenation of abrasive textures and foreboding messages that seem to rebel against the norms of music and, perhaps, life itself.
On the surface, ‘Birds’ could easily be misconstrued as a barrage of nonsensical lines, but a deeper dive reveals layers of introspection on impermanence, self-identity, and the futility of human struggles. Amidst Stefan Burnett’s growling exhales of ‘I got tomorrow coming,’ there lies an existential narrative that beckons for a closer inspection.
The Discordance of Destiny: Tomorrow’s Uncertain Promise
Repeated like a mantra, the line ‘I got tomorrow coming’ is less a statement of hope than a relentless acknowledgement of the inescapable march of time. This fatalistic acceptance runs counter to the more common aspirational perspective on the days ahead. Death Grips injects a potent realization that tomorrow is not necessarily a bearer of good tidings but an unyielding force, indifferent to human desires.
The repetitive nature of this line throughout the song could be interpreted as the monotony of existence, where every day feels indistinguishable from the last, and the promise of ‘tomorrow’ carries with it no real sense of progression or change. It’s a grim commentary on the ceaseless, often redundant cycle of life.
Ornithological Symbolism: Death, Life, and the In-Between
Birds traditionally symbolize freedom and transcendence, but in Death Grips’s hands, they become a vessel for existential dread and uncertainty. ‘I’ve got a bluebird, It might die’ – these lines signify the fragility of life and perhaps, the precarious nature of hope. In contrast, ‘I got a black cat, It might live’ reflects a darker resilience in the face of adversity.
The dichotomy of the living black cat and the dead bluebird suggests a subverted relationship with superstition and the randomness of fate. While one might expect the ominous black cat to bear misfortune, it thrives, and the typically auspicious bluebird succumbs. The arbitrariness of survival in a capricious world becomes a central theme.
A Hidden Meaning Unearthed: The Mocking of Material Pursuits
By injecting the phrase ‘Fuck this bird, bitch, drink this bleach,’ Death Grips seems to mock the absurdity of the human condition, where obsessions with power and control lead only to self-destruction. This provocation could be interpreted as dismissing the importance we place on transitory, materialistic pursuits that ultimately leave us hollow.
Stefan Burnett’s expression of disillusionment with societal values might as well be delivered with a sneer. The abrasive language and jarring visual of ‘drink this bleach’ push the listener to confront the toxicity that comes with blind adherence to social norms that dictate one’s purpose and aspirations.
Memorable Lines That Cut Deep: Elevated Distress Signals
‘I got today shoveling graves, I got tomorrow turning in your grave’ – this couplet captures the existential angst that pervades the song. The image of ‘shoveling graves’ suggests a daily routine of burying dreams, loves, or aspects of oneself, while ‘turning in your grave’ conjures the restless disquiet of those who came before, perturbed by the current state of affairs.
The use of these lines underscores the band’s ability to craft striking imagery that imparts a resonating emotional and intellectual impact. The nihilistic overtone serves as a distress signal, a poignant remark on the nature of existence that is continually beset by struggle and loss.
The Counting Of Birds: A War Cry Against Complacency
The numerical counting of birds followed by ‘life is war’ likens existence to a battlefield, where each moment is survival amidst chaos. The count becomes more than just a simplistic tally; it’s a call to arms against the meditative complacency of modern life, shaking the listener to remain vigilant and tenaciously alive.
In this light, the count could also be seen as a metaphor for personal challenges or conquests. Each bird represents an obstacle faced or a victory claimed in the ongoing struggle of life. These lines resonate with the ferocity of a war cry, reminding us that to exist is to fight ceaselessly, against both external circumstances and inner demons.
