The Meaning Behind The Song: Rhinestone Eyes by Gorillaz

Gorillaz is a British virtual band that was created in 1998, consisting of four animated members: 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel. The band fuses various genres such as alternative rock, hip hop, and electronica. “Rhinestone Eyes” is a song from their third studio album, Plastic Beach, released in 2010. The album features many guest artists and tackles various issues such as climate change, consumerism, and capitalism. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind the song “Rhinestone Eyes,” its lyrics, and its significance to the album.

Plastic Beach: A Concept Album

Before delving into the meaning behind “Rhinestone Eyes,” we need to understand that Plastic Beach is a concept album that tells a story. The album begins with the band being stranded on a floating island made of garbage, which they use as a base for recording their music. Throughout the album, the band tries to free themselves from the island and confront the evil corporation responsible for it. The album’s themes revolve around consumerism, environmentalism, and the negative effects of capitalism.

The Lyrics of Rhinestone Eyes

The lyrics of “Rhinestone Eyes” are cryptic and open to interpretation. The song begins with the line, “I’m a scary gargoyle on a tower, that you made with plastic power.” There are many layers to this line, and it can be interpreted as a commentary on the artificiality of modern society. The use of the word “gargoyle” implies a sense of menace or danger, while the use of “plastic power” suggests that the society we live in is built on artificial and unsustainable resources.

The chorus of the song goes, “Cause we are the rhinestone eyes, of the warriors, of the wasted, and we got nothin’ to lose.” This line reflects the album’s theme of resistance against the forces of capitalism. The “rhinestone eyes” represent the band and their fans, who are the warriors fighting against the wasteful and harmful practices of the corporations. The reference to “nothin’ to lose” implies that the band and their fans are willing to fight to the end, even if it means risking everything.

The second verse of the song is more cryptic, with lines such as, “Can’t sleep in the silence of a night without end, amen. Where’s my bed? I tried to lost my head.” These lines can be interpreted as a reflection on the state of the world and the feeling of hopelessness that many people may experience. The use of the word “amen” implies a sense of resignation, as if the speaker has given up on finding a solution to their problems.

The Significance of Rhinestone Eyes to Plastic Beach

“Rhinestone Eyes” is a pivotal song in the context of Plastic Beach. The song represents the band’s awakening and their willingness to fight back against the evil corporation that has caused so much harm. The song stands out on the album as one of the more energetic and upbeat tracks, which helps to convey the message that there is still hope and that change is possible.

The album’s storyline culminates in the song “Pirate Jet,” which represents the band’s escape from the island and their victory over the corporation. “Rhinestone Eyes” represents the turning point in the band’s journey, where they go from being passive victims to active resistance fighters. The song’s lyrics are both defiant and hopeful, reflecting the band’s determination to make a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What inspired the lyrics of “Rhinestone Eyes”?

The lyrics of “Rhinestone Eyes” are open to interpretation, and there is no definitive answer to what inspired them. However, the song’s themes and lyrics are consistent with the album’s overall message of resistance against capitalism and consumerism.

2. What is the meaning of the phrase “rhinestone eyes”?

The phrase “rhinestone eyes” represents the band and their fans, who are the warriors fighting against the wasteful and harmful practices of the corporations.

3. What is Plastic Beach?

Plastic Beach is Gorillaz’s third studio album, released in 2010. The album is a concept album that tells the story of the band being stranded on a floating island made of garbage and their journey to confront the evil corporation responsible for it.

4. What is the message behind Plastic Beach?

The message behind Plastic Beach is one of resistance against the forces of capitalism and consumerism. The album’s themes revolve around environmentalism, consumerism, and the negative effects of capitalism.

5. How does “Rhinestone Eyes” fit into the overall storyline of Plastic Beach?

“Rhinestone Eyes” is a pivotal song in the context of Plastic Beach. The song represents the band’s awakening and their willingness to fight back against the evil corporation that has caused so much harm.

6. Who are the villains in Plastic Beach?

The villains in Plastic Beach are the evil corporation responsible for the floating island made of garbage.

7. What is the significance of the lyrics “I’m a scary gargoyle on a tower, that you made with plastic power”?

The lyrics “I’m a scary gargoyle on a tower, that you made with plastic power” imply a sense of menace or danger, while the use of “plastic power” suggests that the society we live in is built on artificial and unsustainable resources.

8. What is the significance of the lyrics “Cause we are the rhinestone eyes, of the warriors, of the wasted, and we got nothin’ to lose”?

The lyrics “Cause we are the rhinestone eyes, of the warriors, of the wasted, and we got nothin’ to lose” represent the band and their fans, who are the warriors fighting against the wasteful and harmful practices of the corporations.

9. What is the significance of the line “Can’t sleep in the silence of a night without end, amen”?

The line “Can’t sleep in the silence of a night without end, amen” can be interpreted as a reflection on the state of the world and the feeling of hopelessness that many people may experience.

10. What is the message behind the song “Pirate Jet,” which follows “Rhinestone Eyes” on the album?

“Pirate Jet” represents the band’s escape from the island and their victory over the corporation. The song represents the culmination of the album’s storyline and the band’s triumph over the forces of capitalism.

11. Who are the members of Gorillaz?

Gorillaz is a British virtual band that consists of four animated members: 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel.

12. What other albums has Gorillaz released?

Gorillaz has released seven albums to date, including their self-titled debut album, Demon Days, Plastic Beach, The Fall, Humanz, The Now Now, and Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez.