"Overkill" delves into the unsettling feeling of stepping into the unknown, particularly when on the cusp of achieving long-sought goals like fame or recognition. Written by frontman Colin Hay, the song captures the fear and sense of losing control that can accompany success, as new people and situations make life less predictable. It also touches on a personal fear of being consumed by success and the need to avoid potential pitfalls. This song from the band's second album, Cargo, plays like a reflection on the bittersweet anxiety of impending change and the challenges that come with it.