"World of Lines"

The Promo CD, which uses Brent Elliott White's art of the novel's cover.

## Music Video

Official Video on YouTube

**"World of Lines"** is a song by the American rock band Coheed and Cambria. It is the seventh track and third single on their 2010 album *Year of the Black Rainbow*.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

This is the hidden truth

The world between the lines

There is no understanding us

These lines have marked divisions

The weaker seek to malign

With this looming precious ending

There's no more room for reprimanding

Oh, when words are lightly thrown

In a world that's caught in a writer's web

Humiliation reigns

**[Chorus]**

Just leave us alone

If it's not worth the letting go

It's trouble, whoa, whoa

Leave us alone

If it's not worth the letting go

It's trouble, whoa, whoa

**[Verse 2]**

Communications breaking up

The static cutting the lines

This lying liar's had his turn

You've managed nothing more

Than a pathetic attempt at attack

But this heart is everlasting

Pushing forward, never crashing

**[Chorus]**

Just leave us alone

If it's not worth the letting go

It's trouble, whoa, whoa

Leave us alone

If it's not worth the letting go

It's trouble, whoa, whoa

**[Bridge]**

Oh, state your case and go hide

Leave us to your worst

I will never give in to the hurt of your lies

'Cause there is no hope for all your jokes

And your plaguing insecurity

Now, I'll play your enemy

The only word you could find for me

**[Chorus]**

Just leave us alone

If it's not worth the letting go

It's trouble, whoa, whoa

Leave us alone

If it's not worth the letting go

It's trouble, whoa, whoa

Just leave us alone (In this World of Lines)

If it's not worth the letting go (The strong will decide)

It's trouble, whoa, whoa

Leave us alone (In this World of Lines)

If it's not worth the letting go (The strong will decide)

It's trouble, whoa, whoa, woah

## Music Video

The single for this song came out on August 10, 2010 and an official music video was released for the single on September 30, 2010. The video is considered more of a short than a regular music video with spoken lines and named characters throughout. It was directed by Lex Halaby and stars Nate Beals as "Jax," Lilah Richcreek Estrada as "Tera," and Tyler Shamy as "Rav." These three seem to play the roles of Coheed, Cambria, and Inferno respectively as it is rather obvious they are artificial beings. Throughout the video the Piano Interlude in "One" can also be heard to break up certain scenes.

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## Story Context

This song focuses on the chapter of the same name (Chapter 11). In this chapter, KBI operations have been going really well. Rumors have been spreading about them and how they intercept the Ryan's Red Army, giving people hope he may be overturned. Of course, Coheed and Cambria have already been put on Ryan's radar and it is in this chapter that Pearl is abducted. The perspective is from a reporter's perspective.

"The hidden truth / The world between the lines," refers to the blurred line journalists have to walk; in between the lines they write, the truth is hidden somewhere. "Where there is no understanding us / These lines have marked divisions / The weaker seek to malign" refers to how, when a reporter may not be entirely sure of what's going on, may use inference to fill in the gaps, which may cause confusion and divide people, which some people may take advantage of. "With this looming precious ending / There's no more room for reprimanding" is trying to convey how KBI's attacks seem to be effective and causing a storm between them and the Red Army. And though people chided KBI for their efforts at first, they are coming around. The last bit is a warning to not "throw words around lightly," as they can have a big effect on people. The line, "A world that's caught in a writer's web / Humiliation reigns," refers to how a person's world view can shift to view things in a nefarious way: in Ryan's case, he's humiliated by how KBI's actions are being reported.

The chorus is the reporter(s) saying, "look, we're just doing our job; this isn't that serious and we don't want trouble." The second verse, though reveals the consequences: Since Ryan is losing and the press is reporting the truth of the situation, Ryan attacks the press. Communication is broken down. The press won't be swayed, though and they keep on pushing.

Of course, some will be swayed and report only what Ryan wants them to. This is where the bridge explores a different sentiment. "State your case and go hide / Leave us to your worst, I will never give in / To the hurt of your lies" is from Coheed's perspective. He doesn't care if these tools are peddling Ryan's garbage because it won't hurt his resolve. The last lines of the bridge highlight the rivalry that will follow into the next chapter. "Cause there is no hope For all your jokes / And your plaguing insecurity / Now I'll play your enemy / The only word you can find for me." Coheed thinks Ryan is a joke and is just insecure. He knows that Ryan will only ever see him as his enemy, as he's perfectly fine with that.

## Background

Sanchez said in the Making of Documentary for the album that this song was inspired by Mass Media, and how the press and paparazzi can report on famous people.

## Trivia

* Sanchez played the Synthesizers & Keyboard with Wes Styles.
* This song was featured in *Tony Hawk: Shred*.

## References

1. ↑ Coheed and Cambria. Booklet. *Year of the Black Rainbow*, Columbia Records, 2010.
2. ↑ https://genius.com/Coheed-and-cambria-world-of-lines-lyrics
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmDsx\_gH6SU
4. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1773837/fullcredits
5. ↑ https://www.tunefind.com/game/tony-hawk-shred-2010