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I will lead a wallpaper life
Or run away to the foreign legion
I will lead a wallpaper life
Or run away to the foreign legion
And as the tanks roll into town
As the tanks roll into town
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
As the tanks roll into town
As the tanks roll into town
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
I don't know why I feel so skinned alive
Run until your lungs are sore
Until you cannot feel it any more
Run until your lungs are sore
Until you find an open door
I build you up to pull you down
Tie you to your feet, and watch you drown
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
I build you up to pull you down
Tie you to the stake and watch you burn in hell
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
I don't know why I feel so skinned alive
I'll find another skin to wear
I'll find another skin to wear
Or run away to the foreign legion
I will lead a wallpaper life
Or run away to the foreign legion
And as the tanks roll into town
As the tanks roll into town
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
As the tanks roll into town
As the tanks roll into town
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
I don't know why I feel so skinned alive
Run until your lungs are sore
Until you cannot feel it any more
Run until your lungs are sore
Until you find an open door
I build you up to pull you down
Tie you to your feet, and watch you drown
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
I build you up to pull you down
Tie you to the stake and watch you burn in hell
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
I don't know why I feel so skinned alive
I'll find another skin to wear
I'll find another skin to wear
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"I will live a wallpaper lie
Or run away to the foreign legion
I want to be in the wallpaper
Or run away to the foreign legion"
People trying to escape the current regime, running away to the foreign legion to start the struggle to set them free (fleeing from the capital to other parts of the country to prepare for the struggle).
"And as the tanks roll into town
As the tanks roll into town
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you"
This is pretty much where we're at now. The current regime is trying to hold on to its power and is trying to crush the rebels (the military approaching Bengasi at the moment). The knowledge they have had and have gained is too much and it will destroy them because they have become a threat to the current regime. This could also be interpreted as an interesting link to the whole Wikileaks thing. The new knowledge the citizens in many Middle-Eastern countries gained lead to the dethroning of the presidents in Egypt and Tunisia.
"I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
I don't know why I feel so skinned alive"
The people have been tongue-tied for too long (no free speech, limited opportunities to participate in politics and so on). Many have been skinned alive under cruel dictatorships and that process is still in action in many Middle-Eastern countries at the moment. It's of course currently most evident in Libya.
"Run until your lungs are sore
Until you cannot feel it any more
Run until your lungs are sore
Until you find an open door"
The civilians have been under the influence of the dictatorship for so long. They have ran and ran but it doesn't solve anything. Now they have found an open door. Encouraged by the other revolutions in the Middle-East the domino effect is starting to gain momentum. In terms of the things happening in Libya in the past few days the open door could also mean the UN approved intervention to help the rebels who are currently fighting a losing battle.
"I built you up to pull you down
Tie you to your feet, and watch you drown
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
A little bit of knowledge will destroy you
I built you up to pull you down
Tie you to the stake and watch you burn in hell"
The dictators have built up the countries and lifted many people to power and wealth but have also forgotten of the less fortunate. Now when they are being openly critised and oppressed, they are willing to do anything to stay in power, even to kill their own citizen and destroy towns and buildings.
"I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
I don't know why I feel so skinned alive
I'll find another skin to wear
I'll find another skin to wear"
In the end when the revolution indeed comes or it's crushed by the sheer military power of the regime the people will need to find their place in society again. If the revolution goes all the way, the people should end up enjoying new freedoms and gain access to things formerly forbidden. If the revolts are crushed then the citizens might end up being tortured or worse...
I find it interesting how a song released in 2001 can describe current events so perfectly. I think the lyrics could also be applied to almost any revolution or uprising in the world.
"I don't know why I feel to torn tight, I don't know why I feel so skinned alive"
Leading the wallpaper life is watching life pass you by as you do nothing, because of your insecurities. Your insecurities eventually overwhelm you and you run away.
The tanks are you, destroying yourself and those around you because you cannot just get over your insecurities. A little bit of NOISE will destroy you, if you would just make an effort to speak and communicate you could get past all of this.
The chorus is stating the problem, you feel skinned alive because of all the damage you cause yourself from just constantly having these insecurities and not overcoming them.
Run away until you get tired of running and your ready to face your fears, or you find a way.
The build you up to pull you down is playing games with people, starting something with them, engaging them and then just ignoring them, throwing them away. Its a shitty place to be, to put yourself out there and receive nothing from the other person because they are so insecure.
You find another skin to where when you get tired of indulging in your fears and playing these games. Knives Out is essentially saying you have to sever all of this shit from yourself because it will get you nowhere, you have to forget your past and move on.