Gap In The Fence by Enter Shikari Lyrics Meaning – A Vivid Dissection of Societal Restlessness
Lyrics
Staring up at the stratosphere
And hoping we’re gonna get out of here
And it seems mad
That we’re born on the doorstep
Of squalor and of pedestals
And I lie here
Surrounded by a range of general anesthetics
To drowse the fact that fumbling insecurity
Is not matched by spreading equalities
In the sunlight
Where you caught us,
Plotting the downfall of hoarders
In the sunlight where you caught us
In the sunlight
Where you caught us,
Plotting the downfall of hoarders
In the sunlight where you caught us
It seems that every gap in the fence
We’ll peak, we’ll scratch, we’ll stretch, we’ll grab anything we can
And if we group together
And made a bigger hope
That just for our children’s hands
But for bigger plans
Yeah if we group together
And made hope
Cause I don’t know about you but I’ve gotta get out of here
I’ve gotta get out of here
I’ve gotta get out of here
I’ve gotta get out of here
I’ve gotta get out of here
I’ve gotta get out of here
Woah
Woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh
I’ve gotta get out of here
I’ve gotta get out of here
I’ve gotta get out of here
Woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh
Woah-oh-oh-oh
Wheeling forth
So turbulently
Accepting all the
Enter Shikari, a band known for their electrifying fusion of post-hardcore and various electronic genres, also carry a torch for reflective and often socio-politically charged lyrics. Their track ‘Gap In The Fence’ from the album ‘Common Dreads’ epitomizes this intrinsic aspect of their musical ethos.
This examination delves into the heart of ‘Gap In The Fence,’ unravelling the essence of the poignant verses these British rockers have embedded within the bounds of their sound waves. It’s a narrative stitched together with threads of existential contemplation and societal observation.
Escaping the Gaze of the Stratosphere: A Cry for Liberation
The song kicks off with a gaze upwards—towards the stratosphere—a universal symbol of looking beyond one’s immediate confines. The desire to ‘get out of here’ is not merely a physical longing but a metaphor for escaping societal and mental constraints. Enter Shikari encapsulates a generation’s yearning for release from the existential squalor lying just outside their mental doorsteps.
Their portrayal of restlessness is palpable, giving voice to an all-too-common inner turmoil. The opening lines set the stage for a narrative about the oppressive feeling of being trapped and the universal need for something more, something beyond the known and the immediate.
A Contrasting World: From Squalor to Pedestals
The juxtaposition of ‘squalor and of pedestals’ paints a picture of the stark socio-economic disparities present in our societies. Enter Shikari doesn’t just describe the scene; they immerse the listener in the heart-wrenching contrast between the underprivileged and the elevated ones standing on their societal pillars.
This imagery is a powerful reminder of the inequalities that pervade modern life. It serves as a stark backdrop to the plea for escape and the fight against the anesthetizing effect of ‘general anesthetics,’ those societal pacifiers that numb the masses to their stagnation and to the inequities surrounding them.
Under the Sunlight: The Plotting Begins
Natural imagery takes the stage—as ‘the sunlight’ becomes a witness to the brewing revolution against the ‘hoarders,’ a clear dig at those who accumulate wealth and power at the expense of others. It’s a call to collective action, striking on the notion that change begins with cognizance in the clear light of day.
The repeated choruses serve as a rallying cry, suggesting that awareness alone isn’t enough—action must follow. The mention of ‘plotting the downfall of hoarders’ is not only about economic justice but also hints at a deeper ideological shift that is required to challenge the status quo.
Bridging the Gaps: The Hidden Meaning of Unity
Each ‘gap in the fence’ represents an opportunity, a chance to reach towards something greater. The lyrics embark on illustrating a collective struggle, clawing for every shred of possibility to rise above the limitations imposed by societal structures.
The song’s hidden meaning is thus revealed as a message of unity and solidarity. It’s an anthem that encourages us to ‘group together and make a bigger hope’—a symbol of shared dreams and the combined efforts needed to achieve them. Enter Shikari doesn’t just want hands reaching for the gaps; they want those hands to join and pull each other through.
Into the Vortex of Change: Memorable Lines That Captivate
The phrase ‘I’ve gotta get out of here,’ recurrent and emphatic, embodies the song’s essence—transcending the fences of circumstance. It’s a memorable line that encapsulates the urgency and desperation of a generation seeking to redefine the parameters of their lives.
Set against the backdrop of turbulent instrumentation, this line becomes more than a sentence; it becomes a chant of defiance. It grows from personal desire to common cause, echoing through the minds of listeners who find themselves in a similar search for meaning and agency in a world where both seem increasingly elusive.
