Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Criminals” by The Tallest Man On Earth
‘Criminals’ by The Tallest Man On Earth is an exploration of the inner struggles we all face when making decisions that contradict our better judgment. In it, the Tallest Man On Earth paints a haunting portrait of two individuals who fall into lifestyles of crime and risk in the hope of experiencing a sense of freedom and living life on their own terms, despite knowing it is ultimately a destructive path. The lyrics of the song evoke the intensity of the moment in which these characters find themselves—having to confront the fears and doubts that come with crossing the boundaries of the law. The chorus sums it all up—”Out in the open air, we kept digging our graves / Shallow enough for the criminals to escape.” It implies a sensation of being stuck between wanting to free ourselves from the limitations of society’s conventions, and knowing it will result in our damnation. The word “escape” here carries an undertone of resignation, as the fate of criminals is already predetermined even before they act. The song is a reminder to all of us that we can only resist our urges so long before they overpower us, causing the fragile bonds we can make within society to be torn apart, leaving us with nothing but a broken sense of self.