Steven Wilson – Objects Outlive Us Lyrics
[Part 1: No Monkey’s Paw]
[Verse 1]
I incline myself to space
There was no ghost on the moor
No open window
No monkey’s paw
There in the mist, you asked me
“Did you forget I exist?”
I said, “Yes”
‘Cause you played too hard to get
[Part 2: The Buddha of the Modern Age]
[Verse 2]
The Buddha of the modern age
Is barely paid minimum wage
To dole out truth and healthy karma
The same he gave to our forefathers
When once we reached to touch the sky
Now we have no need to try
The blurrеd photos of ghosts of men
Such permanencе we don’t comprehend
Slaughter the sacred cow
To stuff our stupid mouths
Already fit to burst
Through the insatiable thirst
To kill over and over
We interlopers the inferior species
Wallow in our own feces
Gazing down at our navels
And no longer able
To find some kind of perspective
Of us, all the invective
Glory in pathways of dopamine
Until time intervenes
Ramble struck down deeding
Share all over goats stampeding
But he has no need to try
[Part 3: Objects: Meanwhile]
[Verse 3]
Her shopping bag broke sending eggs and flour crashing
Down to the ground, just like star clusters smashing
But, no one will give her a glance
They just shuffle on home in a trance
The tiniest lives fill their hives up with worry
To make it to church, well, she’ll need to hurry
When late, she will bow down contrite
While a meteor turns out the light
[Chorus]
And there, in an ordinary street
A car isn’t where it would normally be
The driver in tears, ’bout his payment arrears
Still, nobody hears when a sun disappears
In a galaxy afar
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 4]
First day of the new job, and he was so nervous
The suit and the platitude, “Can I be of service?”
His boss made him clean all the cars
While he wondered, “Is there life on Mars?”
And meanwhile, the stars line themselves up in order
While we bicker on with our fences and borders
But best not think about that
It’s better to live without facts
And now in her old wedding bed
A lady will dream that her husband is dead
Of course he’s alive, he’ll be home around five
Still, silence arrives, when a nebula dives
Into our Milky Way[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 5]
The thunder and rain start, the paving stones melt
And oddly the first spots make Orion’s belt
As you queue at the bank for an hour
‘Cause a solar flare blew out the power
The nurse in the care home now empties a bath tub
The water will spiral, a galaxy’s vast hub
Is draining away as we speak
But she loses her job there next week
[Chorus]
And there with his first telescope
A teenager stands full of hormones and hope
As he squints at the night, like a painting of light
He doesn’t suppose that a black hole implodes
In a trillion tears from now
[Part 4: The Cicerones/Ark]
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 6]
Back then, in time, we spoke, before, the Earth
The truth, it moved, burning, our hearts, their words
We used, our love, to break, or kill, this spell
Only, to warn, to track, the dark, that fell
And now, we wait, be there, few there, survive
The once, the new, the bad, in-out, bright-side
Burning, always, there were, should be, burning
The way, it was, just stay, a strip, other
Each off, the source, just work-ing out, dying
Each of, the stars, just one, did not, dry out
[?], the void
But still, right there, in dust, the Earth, destroyed
[Verse 6]
Back then, in time, we spoke, before, the Earth
The truth, it moved, burning, our hearts, their words
We used, our love, to break, or kill, this spell
Only, to warn, to track, the dark, that fell
And now, we wait, be there, few there, survive
The once, the new, the bad, in-out, bright-side
Burning, always, there were, should be, burning
The way, it was, just stay, a strip, other
Each off, the source, just work-ing out, dying
Each of, the stars, just one, did not, dry out
[?], the void
But still, right there, in dust, the Earth, destroyed
[Part 5: Cosmic Sons of Toil]
[Instrumental]
[Part 6: No Ghost on the Moor/Heat Death of the Universe]
[Verse 1 Reprise]
I incline myself to space
There was no ghost on the moor
No open window
No monkey’s paw
There in the mist, you asked me
“Did you forget I exist?”
I said, “Yes”
‘Cause you played too hard to get
[Instrumental]
Objects Outlive Us by Steven Wilson
“Objects Outlive Us” is a thought-provoking song by British musician Steven Wilson, featured on his album “The Overview,” released in 2023. Known for his introspective lyrics and progressive rock sound, Wilson delves into profound themes that resonate with listeners on multiple levels.
Quick summary
The song reflects on existential themes, emphasizing the insignificance of human concerns against the backdrop of the vast universe, while also critiquing modern society’s preoccupation with trivial matters.
In-depth lyrics analysis
The lyrics of “Objects Outlive Us” present a poignant exploration of existentialism and the human condition. The opening lines set a contemplative tone, inviting listeners to reflect on the nature of existence. Wilson contrasts the fleeting nature of human life with the permanence of objects, suggesting that while people may come and go, the things they leave behind endure. This theme resonates throughout the song, as it highlights the emotional detachment that often accompanies modern life.
As the song progresses, Wilson critiques the trivial concerns that dominate human attention. He paints a picture of a society fixated on mundane worries, such as material possessions and social status, while larger cosmic events unfold unnoticed. This juxtaposition serves to underscore the insignificance of these concerns in the grand scheme of the universe. The repeated chorus reinforces this idea, evoking a sense of forgetfulness and emotional distance in relationships, as individuals become consumed by their own trivial pursuits.
The imagery in the lyrics further enhances the song’s themes. Wilson employs metaphors that evoke a sense of vastness and emptiness, contrasting the smallness of human worries with the grandeur of the universe. This creates a melancholic atmosphere, inviting listeners to confront the fragility of existence and the indifference of the cosmos.
In the latter part of the song, Wilson’s introspective tone deepens, as he reflects on the emotional disconnect that often characterizes human relationships. The lyrics suggest that, in the face of life’s transience, people may struggle to form meaningful connections, leading to a sense of isolation. This emotional detachment is a recurring motif, emphasizing the challenges of navigating relationships in a world that often feels overwhelming and indifferent.
Ultimately, “Objects Outlive Us” serves as a meditation on the human experience, urging listeners to consider the weight of their concerns in the context of the universe. Wilson’s poignant lyrics and evocative imagery create a powerful commentary on the nature of existence, leaving a lasting impression on those who engage with the song.
