Shoot Your Gun

The song 'Shoot Your Gun' by 22-20s delves into the emotional complexities and inner turmoil of a person who seems to have lost their way. The lyrics are a poignant exploration of emotional detachment, self-destruction, and the desperate need for validation. The narrator is trying to understand the actions of someone who treats their relationships with a cold, almost calculated precision, likened to shooting a gun with deadly accuracy. This metaphor suggests a sense of control and detachment in their interactions, which the narrator finds incomprehensible.

The repeated plea for the person to cry and show some vulnerability indicates a deep yearning for emotional connection and authenticity. The narrator is desperate to see some sign of humanity, some evidence of pain or regret, behind the person's hardened exterior. This is further emphasized by the lines, 'Show me there are some tears behind your eyes' and 'Cry for all the things you'll never be,' which suggest a recognition of lost potential and unfulfilled dreams.

The song also touches on themes of familial relationships and love, questioning whether the person can feel love or empathy for others, including their family. The lines 'Don't you see your father? Don't you feel the love?' and 'Could you be a mother? Could you ever find the love?' highlight the narrator's concern about the person's ability to form meaningful connections. The repeated question, 'Why'd you have to kill to feel alive?' underscores the destructive behavior that the person engages in, possibly as a misguided attempt to feel something real or to assert control over their life. The song is a powerful commentary on the emotional struggles and the often-destructive ways people cope with their inner pain.