Meaning of "Wasteland" by The Mission

The lyrics of "Wasteland" delve into complex themes, delving into the struggle between pleasure and pain, desire and torment, and the boundary between good and evil. The opening spoken words set the tone, highlighting a belief in God that has been abandoned by higher powers. This sense of loss and disillusionment permeates the song, reflected in lines like "I can tear down the walls, storm the barricades" and "Faithful wind blows through this land, howls my name. Hell is my fall."

The speaker describes a crystal view from their window, symbolizing their ability to see the future, perhaps hinting at a certain foresight or consciousness that heightens their awareness of the world. They live for the intensity of pleasure, for indulgence in pain, and the weapons that can bring power and control. The mentioned desire that lurks beyond good and evil suggests a willingness to embrace the darker aspects of human nature.

Keeping a distance is encouraged, as the innocence and purity of others is seen as a valuable quality, one that the speaker may have lost. The teasing and tormenting of one's own flesh with the pleasure of pain highlights a self-destructive tendencies, a temptation to explore the depths of sensation.

The speaker's internal struggle becomes even more apparent as they express their familiarity with Heaven and Hell, but admit to not yet having made a choice. It seems as though they are caught between the two realms, possibly trapped in a state of limbo or indecision. Despite shouting loud, their feelings are still unrecognized and unheard by others, further reinforcing their isolation.

The reference to walking the tightwire, strung out high above everyone else, suggests a precarious balance between different worlds or ideologies. They are precariously perched, unable to look down for fear of losing their stability. The wind blowing through the land symbolizes a change or shift, but also carries their name, reinforcing a notion of identity tied to this desolate landscape.

In conclusion, "Wasteland" by The Mission explores themes of isolation, disillusionment, pleasure, pain, and the struggle between good and evil. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a desolate and tormented landscape, where the speaker wrestles with their own desires and battles against a sense of abandonment by higher powers.