Meaning of "Seeing All Red" by Shakey Graves

The lyrics of "Seeing All Red" suggest a sense of instability and confusion within the speaker's family dynamic. The opening line of the song— "Yeah, well, mama had an apron, Daddy had a beard"— implies a reversal of traditional gender roles within the family, with the mother taking on more practical responsibilities associated with the father figure and vice versa. However, this swapping of roles seems to lead to a lack of action and accountability. The dad has a shovel, symbolizing a tool for work or action, while the mom has a ball, representing leisure or fun. Yet, neither parent utilizes these objects as intended, leaving the singer to question their inaction and lack of direction.

The speaker expresses their worry and confusion through repetitive questioning, wondering why they feel the need to worry and pray every single night and day. They are out in the street with their knees getting wet, possibly representing vulnerability and exposure to the harsh realities of life. The speaker seeks understanding and meaning, questioning what "it" could be and where they can go or what they can see in order to find clarity.

The repeated lines, "I'm yelling in black, cursing in white, cursing all night, yeah seeing all red," indicate a state of frustration and emotional turmoil. The colors mentioned— black, white, and red— could be interpreted symbolically. Black could represent anger or darkness, white could symbolize purity or frustration, and red could signify intense emotions such as anger or passion. The speaker feels overwhelmed by these emotions and struggles to find a way to express themselves. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's emotional state, as well as their desperation for understanding and resolution.

Overall, "Seeing All Red" explores themes of confusion, frustration, and a yearning for clarity and purpose. The song highlights the impact of an unstable family dynamic and a disorienting external world on the speaker's emotional well-being.