The song "Riders" by James tells a story about the protagonist's experience in a crowded room where a sister figure in uniform is instructing everyone about the importance of understanding something. While others seem to comprehend, the protagonist senses fear in their eyes and wonders if they know more than they do. The sister then offers a potion, which the protagonist reluctantly sips. It's described as a juice that causes pain, believed to be necessary for great singers. However, the protagonist realizes they don't want this poison in their life. Feeling out of place, the protagonist leaves the room, questioning if there has been a mistake. They don't want to be burdened with this pain-inducing juice. It almost feels like they are trapped in someone else's dream. As the song progresses, the protagonist feels a discomfort in their throat, as if there's a creature inside. They try to get rid of it by coughing, but it turns into a choking sensation. Desperately, they put their fingers in their mouth, trying to grasp the creature and succeed in pulling it out, flinging it onto the floor. The song's meaning is open to interpretation, but one possible explanation is that it explores the pressure and expectations society puts on individuals, particularly artists or performers, to endure pain or sacrifice for their craft. The protagonist rejects this toxic influence and opts for self-liberation instead.
