Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: garage
Song Meaning of “Who Is the Hunter” by Liars
This song is about the inner struggle between a vulnerable and scared individual, and their darker, more powerful alter-ego. It questions the idea of conventional morality by asking who the hunter is in a metaphorical context. Is it the protagonist’s dark side, or is it some external power trying to bring the protagonist down? As the song progresses, it becomes clear that only the protagonist can decide if they will succumb to their primal and darker instincts or remain obedient to the moral codes of society.
The chorus speaks of a tension between light and dark, between freedom and confinement. “Who is the hunter raging at the door?/ All at once here I am/ Remaining with no more/ Who is the hunter, waiting to be set free?” As the melody breaks into a pulsing, crashing soundscape, the protagonist comes to terms with their inner duality, and how they choose to act will determine their fate.
The song is ultimately one of self-awareness, and the need to decide if one should listen to the inner screams of freedom and empowerment, or remain trapped within the limitations of sensibilities about life and society. It’s a wild journey fraught with danger and fear, yet the protagonist stands firm in their decisions and realizes that their choices define who they are and the destiny that awaits them.