Oh-way-oh-a-whoa

We were born in the desert,
we were reared in a cave..
We conquered in the sun,
but we lived in the shade
Yeah baby we were savage..
we existed to kill..
Our history is damaged,
at least it was a thrill!

But now we can see!
Now that our vision is strong,
we dont have to admit we were wrong!
Now we can see,
but the images don't stick!
Our enemies lay dead on the ground,
and still we kick!

Oh-way-oh-a-whoa

Now we can see!
The warnings and the signs..
Reading between the lines like writing on the wall!
Now we can see!
What do we need?
We should need nothing, nothing at all!

We were born on an island,
we grew out of the sand..
Never saw another creature,
never knew another man..
Yeah baby we were nothing,
we existed for less!
Our present was empty,
our history a mess!

but now we can see!
Now we do as we please!
Now we do away with our disease!
Now we can see!
Now the image sticks!
We still need the medicine quick!
We still take the pill,
but only for the fix!

Now we can see!
The warnings and the signs..
Reading between the lines like writing on the wall!
Now we can see!
What do we need?
We should need nothing, nothing at all!


Oh-way-oh-a-whoa

Yeah now we can see!



Lyrics submitted by Emergency&Me

Track duration: 03:32


Now We Can See song meanings
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16 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:this song is clearly celebratory, folks.

    it's a discourse on the evolution of both the cultures/civilizations who conquer (those evil imperialists!) and those who are conquered (those lazy, uncivilized savages).

    both can move on from their 'shameful' pasts (as either violent brutes or loincloth-wearing simpletons) into the knowledge of the present.

    the point--all of us can rise above our genetic/national/religious pasts. we are blessed to be able to see clearly now.
    Flag tippitaon September 02, 2012   Link
  • +1
    Lyric Correction:"oh way ahhoh waoh"

    This may not be right but it's much better than the translation above. By the way, I want to go to a dance party that plays this song... any recommendations?
    Flag StevieBoy83on March 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:actually, on second thought, it's mostly about each new civilization thinking they know the truth.

    the Greeks, Romans, Americans, they all had history to see not to make the same mistakes as the last, yet they keep making those same basic mistakes that lead to the fall of their empires.
    Flag liberandonon January 19, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Along those lines, but I don't think it's a reference to Adam & Eve, just a commentary on human nature.

    From the first neanderthal to modern man there's been almost no evolution in the way we treat each other or resolve conflicts.

    but I think the writer of the song has an optimistic view of what humans can do in the future, since we're more connected as a species.

    or he's being sarcastic and saying we're fucked.
    Flag liberandonon January 17, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:I actually think this is an allusion to Adam & Eve. I mean, they ate the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and after that, it says in the Bible that "their eyes were opened". And the line "now we can see" could mean just that. I mean, after Adam and Eve ate the fruit, they knew good and evil, which God didn't want them to know before. ("Now we can see/The warnings and the signs")

    Also, they were the only two humans alive at the time. ("never knew another man..") And Adam was made out of the dust of the ground. ("we grew out of the sand..")

    --

    This is just my interpretation, haha. I'm not trying to enforce Christianity on anyone; I'm not even Christian myself, lol, but in my English class, we're studying biblical allusions, and I'm focusing on allusions to Adam and Eve, which are more abundant than I thought!
    Flag natashatamashaon November 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I think it's a sarcastic remark about imperialism. And the "American" was of thinking. It mocks the stereotype that "we need nothing, nothing at all" because we just think we're so awesome. It's generally what other countries think of the US. The "kicking someone while their down" makes me think they aren't saying how great this is.
    Flag chimo92on September 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I get all my good tunes from Sirius ^ ;) LoL!
    yeah good song. I agree imperialism sounds right.
    I think it implies that it was better back then,
    and now we are over using and over doing things.
    Like the medicine -drugs- how people really
    abuse and take advantage of modern technology..
    Flag Udahoon August 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Sirius radio gives them loads of play. I love it!
    Flag Llij27on July 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song... A Lot! I just discovered The Thermals a few days ago & now I have most of their music! Yay!
    Flag Ali1WhenItSizzleson May 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this kind of reminds me a little bit of plato's allegory of the cave. how he's saying now we can see. except in this song it seems like once you get out of the cave things aren't that great. you still kick your dead enemies, you still need the medicine "but only for the fix."
    it's awfully catchy too. but i think the lyrics are quite meaningful.
    Flag jowrites365on April 29, 2009   Link

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