Meaning of "Wake Up" by XTC

The song "Wake Up" by XTC explores themes of apathy, detachment, and the numbness that can come from living a routine-driven life. The lyrics depict a character going about their day in a zombie-like state, barely registering the world around them and feeling disconnected from society. The repeated refrain "Who cares?" reflects a sense of resignation and indifference to the world's events, including personal actions and tragedies happening around them. It is only when faced with a shocking incident, symbolized by the man close to death on the road, that the character is jolted out of their stupor and forced to confront the reality of their own mortality and the impact of their actions. The call to "wake up" serves as a wake-up call to the listener to break free from routine, apathy, and disconnection, urging them to engage with the world and their own lives more fully.