Shinedown’s “Planet Zero” Lyrics Meaning

The writers of “Planet Zero”, Shinedown’s Eric Bass and Brent Smith, have offered plenty of backdrop behind its meaning, since it is the title track to an album. But as far as the lyrics go, what the vocalist is most noticeably speaking to is cancel culture. In other words, people like to idealize themselves as a generally-unified front – that is until someone in the fold disagrees with the prevailing ideology. Then, as revealed in the second verse, said individual runs the risk of being ostracized.

This entire piece was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and how, as implied by Smith in his own words, certain media outlets proceeded to cap concerning the matter at hand. So imaginatively reading in between the lines, it can be said that the vocalist is akin to an anti-vaxxer. 

The prevailing debate concerning the pandemic has been whether or not to get vaccinated, with the mainstream media espousing the latter. So when the vocalist sings about alluding to being cast aside for not following the herd, then it is theoretically possible that he is referring to someone who for example refuses to get vaccinated despite the massive external pressure. 

And yes, if a prominent figure for instance comes off as anti-vax, then he or she should be looking forward to cancellation in one form or another.

Title (“Planet Zero”)

Then concerning the title of the song, Eric Bass went on to further explain that believing one stance or the other, as provided by the media, should not be something that causes beef between us. And that’s because, well the term “Planet Zero” points to, in part, the idea that we don’t have any place to go but Earth. Therefore it would be more beneficial if we treated each other productively as opposed to hating based on something you read on social media.

Then Bass offered a more specific explanation as to what the word “zero” means in context. And in that regard, without beating around the bush let’s just say that he feels the masses are stupid and hardheaded. Or going back to the example of the vaccine debate, it’s like nobody these days is really considerate of the other side’s feelings or argument. And even then, when one side or other proves correct, it’s like there’s no accountability to those who were at fault.

Takeaway

Really, you’re not likely to get all of the above simply from the lyrics of the song “Planet Zero” (though the album will likely expound on these ideas). But it is obvious, taking the chorus into the consideration, that the vocalist has a lot on his mind. 

We can conclude by saying that the main talking point of this song is cancel culture. However, there is also an expressed and related concern as to where we, as a race you can say, are headed. But here, the existential threat, if you will, is not presented as climate change or a meteor or anything like that. This threat is rather the harrowing prevalence of intolerance.

Shinedown and “Planet Zero”

“Planet Zero” is the title track from Shinedown’s 2022 album. The song itself, being the project’s lead single, was released on 26 January 2022.

Shinedown is from the Floridian locality of Jacksonville, which is actually one of the biggest cities in the United States. Their first album, “Leave a Whisper”, came out in 2003. “Planet Zero” marks their seventh studio album. The four released prior to this one all scored within the top 10 of the Billboard 200.

Shinedown members Brent (vocalist) and Eric (who is in fact the bassist) wrote this piece. Eric also holds the song’s production credits.

For the record, their current bandmates are

• drummer Barry Kerch
• guitarist Zach Myers