Repeater

Fugazi's song 'Repeater' delves into the dehumanizing aspects of modern life, particularly focusing on the reduction of individuals to mere numbers in a system that values profit over personal identity. The lyrics open with a defiant stance against societal expectations, as the protagonist asserts their independence by claiming to have their own business. However, this assertion is quickly undercut by the realization that in the grand scheme of things, they are just another cog in the machine, reduced to a number: '1 2 3 repeater.' This repetition underscores the monotonous and cyclical nature of their existence, where individuality is lost in the grind of daily life.

The song also touches on themes of alienation and disconnection. The line 'Did you hear something outside? It sounded like a gun' suggests a world where violence is a distant, almost abstract concept, something that happens to 'others' and is only known through media reports. This detachment is further emphasized by the line 'Only about ourselves and what we read in the paper,' highlighting a society more concerned with superficial information than with genuine human connection. The metaphor 'ink washes out easier than blood' poignantly contrasts the transient nature of news with the lasting impact of real-life violence, suggesting that society prefers to ignore the latter.

Fugazi's punk ethos is evident in the song's raw, confrontational lyrics and its critique of consumer culture. The repeated refrain 'Repeater' serves as a powerful indictment of a system that commodifies human lives, reducing them to mere statistics. The song challenges listeners to recognize and resist this dehumanization, urging them to reclaim their individuality and humanity in a world that seeks to strip them away.