submissions
| Radiohead – 2 + 2 = 5 (The Lukewarm) Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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I believe that for many of the songs off of Hail to the Thief, Thom Yorke narrates from the antagonist's poin of view. The "dreamer" in this case is the idealist youth who thinks he can change the corruption that is inherent in the world. The narrator is the all-powerful "thief" whose authority is not to be questioned. |
submissions
| Beck – Side Of The Road Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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"What a friend could tell me now" is reminiscent of the situation in a relationship - or when a man is pining over a woman - during which the man's friends tell him what is truly best for him, but he does not listen because his reason is overpowered by his emotion. |
submissions
| Beck – Round The Bend Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Sea Change is a breakup album. In such cases, the order of the songs is very important. For example, the Japanese release of this album includes "Ship in a Bottle" as a final track, which offers resolution that is lacking in the American release.
I believe that this song is about the moment in trying to get over a person when an emotional corner is turned. "People pushing harder....faces tell" seems to be describing the animosity than can develop between two people who don't give each other space.
"It's your time now" seems to indicate that the woman for whom the narrator is pining will soon turn the emotional corner, and the narrator can then begin to live without her. |
submissions
| Beck – Debra Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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A love song for the Modern Man.
No one composes sonnets or speaks as melifluously as Cyrano anymore. They offer gum to a member of the opposite gender and harbor discreet feelings for her sister.
The chariot of traditional courtship has been replaced by a Hyundai.
All in all, a biting social commentary. |
submissions
| Beck – Already Dead Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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I agree with all of the statements above.
The line "Nothing's measured by what it needs" has always piqued my interest. I have always interpreted it as meaning that Beck's needs go unfulfilled, however strong or important they may feel. |
submissions
| Phish – Scents & Subtle Sounds Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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I believe that this song is about the modern society's attempt to quantify life. Before the Modern Era, time was not measured as strictly as it is now. Tom Marshall seems to be advising the listener to adopt a zen-like attitude (as he often does) towards living. |
submissions
| Phish – Esther Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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For some reason I remember reading a similar story as a folktale. It was perhaps based in Eastern Europe or possibly somewhere in the Caucasus. Someone please let me know via e-mail if he or she knows anything more about this Esther-folktale idea. Thanks. |
submissions
| Phish – My Friend, My Friend Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Supposedly Tom Marshall wrote this song about his friend, who had just become married. His friend received a knife as a wedding present.
The song seems to be about the comparison between pre- and post-wedlock life for Tom's friend. The second half appears to describe the friend's anxiety at fully realizing his current situation. |
submissions
| Phish – Ghost Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Right, I believe that the childhood imaginary friend interpretation holds. The last two verses obviously refer to Tom Marshall's nostalgic feelings towards his imaginary friend, and his hope that the Ghost is still with him. |
submissions
| Phish – Frankie Says Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Frankie Goes to Holywood was a progressive rock/new age band in the 1980s. Their hit single was titled "Relax". Many shirts were made during this time that read "Frankie Says...Relax", I believe you can find one being worn by a cook in the first few minutes of the film "The Wedding Singer".
I believe the song "Relax" was an instructional piece on how to achieve coitus in the most enjoyable manner. |
submissions
| Phish – Weigh Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Rift is a concept album, meaning that every song is a part of a broad thematic vision. In this case, Phish has taken on the "break-up album".
Mike Gordon's lyrics are always humorous, absurd, and strikingly clever. I believe that the narrator of the song is simply conveying the extent of his emotion towards his ex-girlfriend. He is so angry, and frustrated, that he wants to do these cruel things to get even and/or pay attention.
The emotional reverse in the chorus ( "why weigh on a sunny day") expresses the return of reason and the lapsing of unbridled irrationality. |
submissions
| Phish – Cavern Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Everything in this song refers to sex or to condoms.
Example: a serpent deflector is a condom. The "cavern" itself probably refers to the vagina. The "grime" comes off on the narrator's hand.
I read somewhere that these lyrics are the result of a series of phone conversations between Tom Marshall, the lyricist, and Trey. |
submissions
| Phish – Down With Disease Lyrics
| 19 years ago
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Scarletbegonian has some good ideas, but I disagree. The lyrics are written by Tom Marshall, not Trey. The song itself was released on the Hoist album, which came out in the early 90's. At this time, Phish was fairly successful and the band was touring like crazy, it is unlikely that Trey had these feelings yet. Rather, it seems to me that the song is simply about being sick. Most of the lines are clever metaphors for what it feels like to have a headache, and to be ready to get better, trying to psych yourself out of being ill, but finding that you just have to wait it out. |
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