Hungry
Sepultura
The Insatiable Hunger: A Critique of Human Greed and Suffering
Sepultura's song "Hungry" delves deep into the dark and relentless nature of human greed and the suffering it perpetuates. The opening lines paint a grim picture of "rotting skinny corpses," symbolizing the victims of an insatiable and destructive hunger. This hunger is not just for food but for power, money, and control, which are described as a "simple fuel to the corrupt way of mankind." The imagery of disease and eternal pain underscores the pervasive and enduring impact of this greed on society.
The song critiques the societal norms that drive individuals to seek power and wealth from birth, only to become slaves to these desires. The line "Hungry for living, to live like a slave" highlights the paradox of striving for a better life while being trapped in a cycle of exploitation and dehumanization. The notion that death is the only release from this hunger adds a layer of existential despair, suggesting that the pursuit of material gains ultimately leads to a hollow existence.
Furthermore, the song explores the hunger for trust and pleasure, only to find betrayal and pain. The desire for genuine human connection is met with treachery, as "the law rules the mind of ignorance." This reflects a cynical view of human relationships, where even the closest bonds are tainted by self-interest. The final lines, "Your pleasure is pain, your pleasure is torture," encapsulate the twisted nature of this hunger, where the pursuit of future satisfaction is marred by present suffering. Sepultura's raw and powerful lyrics serve as a stark reminder of the destructive consequences of unchecked greed and the perpetual cycle of human suffering it engenders.