Obsolete

In the song "Obsolete" by Of Mice & Men, the lyrics delve into the profound fear of becoming irrelevant and forgotten. The imagery of vultures circling overhead and the weight of the world pushing the narrator into the soil below paints a vivid picture of despair and hopelessness. The desert sun and the futile attempt to drink water from a stone symbolize the harsh and unyielding nature of the world around them. Despite these overwhelming feelings, the narrator expresses a desire to not die alone, indicating a lingering hope for connection and meaning.

The chorus, with its plea to be woken from sleep and shown that this is just a dream, reflects a deep-seated anxiety about the future. The transformation from a scream to a whisper signifies a loss of voice and power, encapsulating the fear of becoming obsolete. This fear is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "becoming obsolete," driving home the central theme of the song.

The second verse introduces the idea of a frozen frame and a glitch in consciousness, suggesting a sense of being stuck or trapped in a deteriorating state. The metaphor of picking poison and choking it down until spinning indicates a self-destructive coping mechanism. The imagery of fading like fog into the sea and the burning galleon around the narrator highlights a sense of inevitable decline and loss. The narrator's uncertainty about being set free and the need for shackles suggest a complex relationship with their own suffering, perhaps finding some twisted comfort in it. The repeated calls for rescue and the inability to hold their breath underscore the desperation and urgency of their situation.