Set The Woods On Fire

Art In Manila's "Set The Woods On Fire" is a haunting exploration of the duality of human experience, where the desire for improvement is often accompanied by the creation of new challenges. The lyrics open with a reflection on how efforts to make things better can simultaneously make them harder, suggesting a cycle of struggle and growth. The imagery of a "shelter of sorrow" growing in the dark evokes a sense of hidden pain and unresolved emotions, symbolized by the "haunted pines" under which the soul must survive.

The chorus, "Set the woods on fire," serves as a powerful metaphor for a desire to break free from these burdens. Fire, in this context, represents both destruction and renewal, a cleansing force that can eradicate the old and make way for the new. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes a sense of urgency and a longing for transformation. The song suggests that sometimes, drastic measures are necessary to escape the confines of one's own mind and circumstances.

The lyrics also touch on themes of guilt and endurance, as seen in the line "You're not guilty, but you're doing time." This could be interpreted as a commentary on the internalized pressures and expectations that weigh heavily on the soul, even when one is not at fault. The song's conclusion, with its repeated call to "set the woods on fire," leaves listeners with a sense of unresolved tension, highlighting the ongoing struggle between dreams and reality, and the perpetual quest for inner peace.