Song meaning of Religion by Wilder Woods

The song "Religion" by Wilder Woods explores the concept of religion and the speaker's personal experience with it. The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment and a questioning of the traditional religious structures and teachings.

In the first verse, the speaker expresses their frustration with trying to change their ways and gain approval from others, specifically someone they refer to as a temptress. The guilt they feel cannot be displaced, and they view this person as a fortress for their shame. This can be interpreted as a critique of the judgment and pressure that can sometimes come from religious communities.

The chorus reflects the speaker's upbringing and the influence of preachers and saints in their life. However, they assert that their personal experiences, represented by the blood on their lips and dirt on their face, are all the religion they have. This suggests that their faith is not based on organized religion but on their own personal struggles and experiences.

In the second verse, the speaker describes being lost in someone's arms, trying to find their way out. They acknowledge that material possessions and physical structures, such as buildings, cannot save them from their inner turmoil. The person they refer to as a needy harlequin represents the flaws and hypocrisy they see in religious institutions.

Overall, "Religion" can be interpreted as a critique of organized religion and a call for a more personal and authentic faith. The lyrics reflect the speaker's disillusionment with the pressure and judgment they faced in religious communities and their realization that their own experiences and struggles are what shape their belief system.