The Dark Message

Big Lokote's song 'The Dark Message' delves into the transformation of an individual's ideals and beliefs over time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who once held strong convictions about love, music, and the evils of money, only to become disillusioned and cynical. The repeated phrase 'Big Shot In The Dark' symbolizes this shift from being a guiding light or 'candle in the wind' to becoming lost in the darkness of materialism and conformity.

The song's narrative begins by contrasting the protagonist's past and present. Initially, they believed in the power of love and music, viewing money as the root of all evil. This idealistic perspective is shattered as they grow older, and they start to see love as a 'big question mark' and become obsessed with wealth. The metaphor of the 'chessboard' and 'pawns wanting to be king' highlights the protagonist's previous disdain for societal games and their current obsession with winning at all costs.

The lyrics also explore the theme of lost innocence and the abandonment of one's true self. The protagonist used to 'laugh at the men on the chessboard' and 'refuse to play that game,' but now they are fully immersed in it. The imagery of 'swimming upstream' versus 'going with the flow' further emphasizes this shift from rebellion to complacency. The repeated line 'You had it right the first time' serves as a poignant reminder of the protagonist's lost ideals and the purity of their original beliefs.

'Big Shot In The Dark' is a powerful commentary on the corrupting influence of materialism and the loss of youthful idealism. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of abandoning one's principles for the sake of success and conformity.