Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: hardcore
Song Meaning of “Indian Giver” by Every Time I Die
Indian Giver is a song by Every Time I Die which expresses anger at a situation in which a person “takes” or demands something from another, only to suddenly change their mind or refuse to give it back. The song reflects on how this behaviour can be unfair, manipulative and hurtful, and it speaks into the powerlessness of not being able to control the whims of another.
The lyrics draw on the imagery of holding a Native American’s headdress, with the lyrics saying “Take it back… it ain’t yours, you can’t keep it” as a way of showing the frustration of being unable to keep something that you had in your grasp. The lyrics suggest that the situation in this song is in someway related to the taking of Native American lands by settlers, and the feeling of powerlessness in the face of this historical injustice.
Ultimately, Indian Giver paints a picture of a power imbalance, voice and control that can be more insidious and painful than traditional oppression. It conveys an emotion of deep frustration and anger at the unfairness of life, and how things can suddenly be taken away when you think you had them. The song speaks to the challenge of navigating power imbalances without being able to rely on our own voices to stand up for ourselves.