The song "Careless War" by Tom Gregory is about being in a toxic and manipulative relationship. The lyrics depict the narrator's initial perception of their partner as someone special, believing that they were perfect and worth following. However, as time passes, the narrator begins to realize the truth about their partner's actions and lies. The phrase "I thought you had a halo" represents the narrator's initial perception of their partner as someone angelic or perfect. They believed that their partner could do no wrong and would always lead them in the right direction. As the song progresses, the narrator starts to see through their partner's deceptive behavior and recognizes that their partner constantly lies. The lyrics express a sense of exhaustion and disappointment as the narrator states that they are tired of giving in and being misled. The lines "Lights we hide behind oh it's hard to find us / Laying in the fire / Blinded by the highs / Beaten by our love" portray the passion and intensity of the relationship, while also acknowledging the destructive nature of it. The chorus repeats the narrator's desire to not be a passenger in a careless war. They do not want to be part of a relationship filled with deceit and manipulation. The line "I don't wanna be a foreigner standing by your door" implies that the narrator doesn't want to feel like an outsider or be treated as such. The phrase "shackled by the storm" signifies the narrator feeling trapped and burdened by the turmoil and chaos of the relationship. Overall, "Careless War" reflects the journey of self-discovery and understanding in a toxic relationship. The narrator realizes the need to break free from the destructive patterns and not be a bystander in their own life.
