Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: garage
Song Meaning of “Octagon” by Liars
Octagon by Liars is an intense and abstract song about existential uncertainty and fear of the unknown. The lyrics portray a feeling of entrapment and aimlessness, as the narrator is seemingly doomed to keep trying to make sense of a never-ending cycle of confusion and despair. Lines such as “It’s an octagon, a charade you can’t escape” and “Ticking and shaking just wait ’til the light fades” suggest an overwhelming sense of helplessness and a futile attempt to control the uncontrollable.
The song’s overall tone is very dark and disorienting – from the sporadic percussion to the off-kilter synth melodies – and these elements play into the themes of chaos and disillusionment. The title of the song is a powerful metaphor for the narrator’s situation, as an octagon has eight sides with no clear beginning or end, symbolizing the unending confusion and chaos of his existence.
The narrator ultimately is struggling to make sense of his life and find a way out of the misery and uncertainty he’s in. The song itself can be seen as a warning against allowing yourself to become trapped in an endless loop of confusion and despair.