The Wars, Part Three

Part Three of the series. (Start at One!) ~ This time, a Breaking Benjamin song is featured. ~ I can't honestly say that I had heard of this band previous to completing this assignment, yet after the dozens of times I've listened to this specific song by them in order to extract its essence for my analysis, I must permit myself to announce that I now have an at least rudimentary understanding of their style and genre. ~ Please enjoy, as I have, the slightly haunting but ever-passionate sounds of Breaking Benjamin. ~

At that moment, they will attempt to distance themselves emotionally from the reality of war in order to continue fulfilling their duties.

Unknown Soldier, by Breaking Benjamin:

Borderline, dead inside,
I don't mind, falling to pieces
Count me in, violent, let's begin,
feeding the sickness
How do I, simplify, dislocate,
the enemies on the way

Show me what it's like,
to dream in black and white,
so I can leave this world tonight.

Full of fear, ever clear,
I'll be here, fighting forever
Curious, venomous, you'll find me,
climbing to heaven
Never mind, turn back time, you'll be fine,
I will get left behind

Show me what it's like,
to dream in black and white,
so I can leave this world tonight.
Holding on too tight,
bring the breath of life,
so I can leave this world behind.

It only hurts just once,
they're only broken bones,
hide the hate inside

Show me what it's like,
to dream in black and white,
so I can leave this world tonight.
Holding on too tight,
Breathe a breath of life,
so I can leave this world behind

Lyrical Content

In “Unknown Soldier,” the individual is in-between battles, and thus has a chance to reflect upon the deeds he has been forced to commit in war. At this moment, he feels “borderline” because of his indecision regarding the act of killing. He feels “dead inside” because he has lost that fiery lust that drove his desire to be a “killing machine” (see “Everybody’s Going to War”). He finally makes up his mind, saying: “count me in, violent;” however, he knows that by continuing to fight, he is “feeding the sickness” that is a result of war’s corruption.

Thus, he desires to “dislocate” his perception of the enemy as being human so that he can kill without feeling. His plea “to dream in black and white” reflects his desire to lose this moral perspective of seeing in shades of gray; that way, he can forget his guilt and live his life as if in a dream, leaving the civilized world behind for one of slaughter and mindless killing.

Auditory Elements

This is a rock song in a minor key, which establishes a somber mood appropriately reflecting the desperation and desire to escape the reality of war in the lyrics.

Another notable characteristic of the song is the interchange between the singers. In both the first and third stanzas, the same singer sings the first four lines; then, a different voice begins at the fifth line. These changes highlight the “borderline” feeling expressed by the individual. His mind is confused by the war, and thus the two voices represent the two sides of his mind: one which wants to fight, and the other that is deeply affected by the horror of war. Contrarily, both voices sing during the second, fourth and sixth stanzas, during which the individual expresses the desire to lose his moral “gray” uncertainty. This suggests that both sides of him see the necessity in continuing to fight, despite the consequences of his actions.

Finally, there are also several guitar interludes of varying length, from 1:03 to 1:18 and from 2:39 to 3:03; these are the moments during which the individual reflects upon war, highlighting how it is only when not caught up in battle that individuals can feel the actual psychological impact of war.