I've Seen

by Confusions

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about

We were trying to capture the sense of urgency felt in this country for positive change. The lyrics are meant to be a contribution to the discourse. The lofi aspects of the soundscape represent reality. The one in which Eurocentric, patriarchal institutions have historically and continue to systematically work against people of color, women, and LGBTQ communities. A line that traces white male fragility to subsequent racism, xenophobia, toxic and contradictory illusions of masculinity, and sexism is drawn in this song. This is a conversation Yates’ inspired us to take part in, to do our own work, and to echo his research. We don’t wish to speak for anyone, but we feel our music has an imperative to join in on the conversation and say that these injustices are facts. Poet Claudia Rankine said in an NPR interview that she wants her work to “have people join in on the same reality” rather than “educate” them. We have a similar goal with this song.

The bridge in this song may musically act as a breath for the listener, a chance to meditate and reflect on the chaos and inequality of the modern day and to encourage change. It also calls out history books used in schools for their inaccuracy and portraying awful people as heroes. This was influenced by a book called Lies My Teacher Told Me by James L. Loewen, Ben’s wife was reading and talking about with him. It is very clear that we cannot sustain until more individuals start seeing the truth.

We want people to be able to dance to a song that makes them think about the institutions they are a part of, and to hit home with these realities.

lyrics

I’ve Seen

You’re burning the bridge
You live in a dream (I’ve seen)
Gone are the nineteen-fifties (I’ve seen)
I tell you I’ve seen

I’ve seen protectors
Hurt the ones they prize
I’ve seen these cloth cuts
Draped on some old lies

I’ve seen racist killers in the news
End the black life, but you like the blues
Lock the border, but you eat the food

You’re burning the bridge
You live in a dream (I’ve seen)
Gone are the nineteen-fifties (I’ve seen)
I tell you I’ve seen

I’ve heard you captains
Say you sail your own way
I’ve seen you actors
Dock in the same bay

The books don’t say it goes down this way
Tell the kids that you raise

That I’ve seen
You trample women
Trample on their views
And you think that you have paid your dues
All because you’re scared of something new

You’re burning the bridge
You live in a dream (I’ve seen)
Gone are the nineteen-fifties (I’ve seen)
I tell you I’ve seen

Gone are the nineteen-fifties (I’ve seen)
I tell you I’ve seen

credits

released November 2, 2020
Ben Turner (Guitar, Vocals, Synths, Drums, Studio)
Jake Summers (Drums, Vocals, Guitar, Studio)
Eric Stratton (Bass)

Mastering: Brendan Youngquist @brendyoungquist
Producer: The_Confusions_ @the_confusions_
Engineer: The_Confusions_
Mixing: Dorian Gehring @dorfg

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Earth Libraries Birmingham, Alabama

Covering the other-wordly sounds of punk, noise, garage, psych, lofi modern, and the experimental.

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