☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are about the destruction and effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
- The little things reveal the damage and true feelings.
- Hopelessness and loss are emphasized in such disasters.
- The lyrics also express the desire for recognition and admiration.
- The levees that broke during the hurricane led to even more destruction and chaos.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "The Little Things Give You Away" by
Linkin Park are about the destruction and effects of a natural disaster, particularly Hurricane Katrina that occurred in New Orleans in 2005. The lyrics describe the chaos and devastation caused by the floods and how the little things ultimately reveal the damage.
The song begins with the description of the gray water rising through the windows and stairs. The rains are compared to an ocean spreading everywhere. These images convey the magnitude of the destruction and chaos.
In the chorus, it becomes clear that the little things expose the damage. The singer feels ignored and insignificant to someone. He says, "I mean nothing to you, the little things give you away." This refers to how the small signs and details show how someone truly feels and how much something means to them.
The lyrics also speak of the levees that broke during the hurricane, leading to even more destruction and chaos.
The song also emphasizes the hopelessness and loss that come with such catastrophes. "Hope decays, generations disappear" and "washed away as a nation simply stares."
The lyrics also express the desire for someone to look up to and admire. "All you ever wanted was someone to truly look up to you." However, this desire is literally buried by the devastation and sinking underwater.
Overall, the lyrics of the song "The Little Things Give You Away" by Linkin Park are about the destruction and effects of a natural disaster, the feeling of hopelessness and loss, as well as the desire for recognition and admiration. The little details and signs reveal the true feelings and meanings.