Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2015-09-04
- Album Name: Love, Fear and the Time Machine
Song Meaning (Interpretation) of “Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire” by Riverside
“Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire” by Riverside is a reflective song about the difficulty of navigating through life’s obstacles and hardships. The metaphor of a caterpillar and barbed wire symbolizes the obstacles that are trying to block the narrator from pursuing his aspirations. The barbed wire may represent external barriers – like societal narratives or expectations – while the caterpillar is a metaphor for the internal struggle of trying to break free from these expectations and follow one’s own path. The lyrics of the song encourage the listener to be brave in overcoming the moments of doubt that may be preventing them from escaping the safety of what is known. In the chorus, the narrator sings, “Let go of my hand and take a step forward / Let’s learn how to cross the valley.” Through this, he is motivating the listener to fight for their dreams fearlessly, as crossing life’s valleys is what will ultimately bring them closer to achieving their goals.