Mandragore

In '!distain's' song 'Mandragore,' the lyrics delve into the themes of societal expectations and the masks people wear to conform. The opening lines, 'It is said man hides behind a beard / Why do women use make-up,' suggest that both men and women adopt certain appearances to fit into societal norms. This raises the question of whether these actions are driven by the pressures of 'the big life' or simply by fear. The song challenges listeners to consider the reasons behind these facades and the impact they have on individual identity.

The chorus, 'Something must break / Don’t let them break you,' serves as a powerful call to action. It encourages resilience and resistance against the forces that seek to mold individuals into something they are not. This message is particularly poignant in the context of the modern world, where people often feel like cogs in a machine, as illustrated by the lines 'Working night and day / Working the assembly line / A factory called planet earth.' The metaphor of the world as a factory underscores the dehumanizing effects of relentless work and the pursuit of material success.

The song's reflective tone is evident in the lines 'I have seen it all before / But now being confrontated to it all / I can not cope / I don’t know why.' This suggests a sense of disillusionment and existential crisis. The repeated question, 'What are we working for,' encapsulates the central theme of the song: a quest for meaning in a world that often feels devoid of it. '!distain' uses 'Mandragore' to provoke thought and inspire listeners to seek authenticity and purpose beyond societal expectations.