The Story Behind "We Got To Get Out"

How It All Began

picture:Willgard Krause

Like many Riven Earth songs, "We Got To Get Out" started with a musical idea.Günter Schlünkes had written the basic musical framework long before the final concept of the song emerged. The composition already carried a sense of urgency and movement, but at that stage it was purely instrumental and had no fixed story attached to it. When Uli Krücken began working on the lyrics, the war in Ukraine dominated daily news reports across Europe. Images of destroyed buildings, bombed cities and civilians fleeing their homes became impossible to ignore. Listening to the music, he felt that the emotional atmosphere of the composition reflected exactly that situation. The title "We Got To Get Out" can be understood very simply: "We have to get out of here." It is the desperate thought of people trying to escape from a city under attack before it is too late.

The Meaning Behind the Song

The song is not intended as a political statement. Instead, it focuses on the human side of war. For most people, war is something distant until it suddenly arrives at their doorstep. The lyrics attempt to capture the fear, uncertainty and urgency felt by ordinary people whose lives are turned upside down by circumstances beyond their control. The phrase "We Got To Get Out" became the central message because it expresses a universal human instinct: survival.

The Cover Artwork

When the time came to choose artwork for the album, the band was searching for an image that would reflect the atmosphere of the title track. Artist Willgard Krause generously makes her artwork available to Riven Earth, and one particular image immediately stood out. At first glance, the viewer sees a spacecraft or rocket flying above the Earth. Looking more closely, a city can be seen in the lower left corner of the image. The visual connection was immediate. The spacecraft appears to be leaving the city behind, creating a powerful metaphor for escape, departure and the search for safety. The image captured exactly the feeling that inspired the song, making it a natural choice for the album cover.

Recording the Album

The album was developed over an extended period and reflects the collaborative spirit of Riven Earth. The compositions, arrangements and lyrics evolved gradually as ideas were refined and expanded. The goal was never simply to create another collection of songs, but to tell stories through music and to combine melodic songwriting with the freedom and creativity associated with progressive rock.

Looking Back

"We Got To Get Out" represents an important chapter in the continuing story of Riven Earth. What began as a musical idea eventually became a song inspired by real-world events, and finally an album whose artwork, lyrics and music all point in the same direction: the human desire to escape danger, preserve hope and find a way forward.