The Race Is About to Begin

black midi's song "The Race Is About to Begin" is a chaotic and surreal narrative that delves into themes of existentialism, societal critique, and the absurdity of life. The song opens with a stark observation about the infinite nature of idiocy and the limited number of thinking individuals, setting a tone of disillusionment and cynicism. This is not a new revelation, but a reminder of the world's persistent flaws.

The narrative then shifts to a race, introducing a cast of eccentric characters like Tristan Bongo, Lucky Star, and Mrs. Gonorrhoea. These names and their actions paint a vivid picture of a society obsessed with superficial pursuits and gambling, where people place their hopes and money on fleeting chances. The race itself becomes a metaphor for life's unpredictable and often futile nature. The imagery of hypodermic needles and sweaty wise-guys hints at the darker underbelly of this spectacle, suggesting corruption and desperation.

As the song progresses, it becomes more introspective and abstract. The protagonist reflects on the passage of time, the repetition of daily life, and the sense of being stuck in a perpetual cycle. The lyrics evoke a sense of isolation and existential dread, with references to a log cabin, skeletons, and a lack of meaningful connections. The song's climax is a philosophical musing on the nature of existence, where all distinctions and meanings dissolve into nothingness. The repeated lines about the clown, the whore, and the hack transforming into something divine suggest a blurring of moral and social boundaries, emphasizing the fluidity and absurdity of human experience.

"The Race Is About to Begin" is a complex and thought-provoking piece that challenges listeners to confront the chaos and meaninglessness of life, while also finding moments of beauty and transcendence in the mundane and the absurd.