Night In The Woods by Gender Chores

Inspired by an indie video game of the same name, Night In The Woods is a broadside at slum landlords and property developers. The city is becoming unaffordable and off-limits, like a distorted video game. Singer and bassist Sam explains: “I think there’s a collective fury at the looming gentrification of Belfast. There’s outrage at the fact that it costs so much to live where we want to live.”

LYRICS

Verse 1
They love it here in the quiet part of town,
Everywhere else is closing down
Filling in the blanks with overpriced apartment blocks
For 1 thousand a month you can live in this shoe box
And watch it rot

Chorus

I would rather die anywhere else
This place is falling down and I’m still trying to build myself
I would rather die anywhere else
I can’t afford the rent and I really miss my pets

Verse 2

There’s a rusty playground at the bottom of the street
Graffiti on the swingset, ACAB and a phallacy
Landlords are bastards, here we are at 23
With a fucking can of spray paint as our only agency!

Chorus 2

I would rather die anywhere else
This place is falling down and I’m still trying to build myself
I would rather die anywhere else
I can’t afford the rent and I really miss my pets

Bridge:

Deposits, damp, mouldy splintered walls
We aren’t the only vandals here
You are the worst of all
Single glazed chest infections
Unannounced surprise inspections
Student loans funding your pension
Violating every section!

Chorus 3

I would rather die anywhere else
This place is falling down and I’m still trying to build myself
I would rather die anywhere else
I can’t afford the rent and I really miss my pets
Would rather die anywhere
Just not here