This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cease to resist, giving my goodbye
Drive my car into the ocean
You'll think I'm dead, but I sail away
On a wave of mutilation
A wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave
Wave
I've kissed mermaids, rode the El Nino
Walked the sand with the crustaceans
Could find my way to Mariana
On a wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave
Wave
Wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave
Wave
Drive my car into the ocean
You'll think I'm dead, but I sail away
On a wave of mutilation
A wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave
Wave
I've kissed mermaids, rode the El Nino
Walked the sand with the crustaceans
Could find my way to Mariana
On a wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave
Wave
Wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave of mutilation
Wave
Wave
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I agree with this being about self-destruction, but not suicide. "You think I'm dead, but I sail away". It's like, if life has you down and everything sucks, then instead of suicide which is permanent you can just throw away everything that's holding you down and create a new life.
@DanVitaleRocks Watch Your Game, Girl
@DanVitaleRocks I always thought the "sail away" was more metaphysical than existential. Having said that, what you describe is known as "passive death wish" and is common among folk suffering with depression as I can attest.
i heard them say in an interview that the first verse is about this phenomenon in japan where business men would drive their cars, families in tow, into the ocean.
"The first verse is about the phenomenon, where japanese businessmen were putting their whole family in the car and driving off the dock. The second verse features the Marianas Trench." - Frank Black in SELECT, october 1997.
@Stamehad that's what she said
oh yeah, what a way to put suicide...
this song is just such a fucking hymn... frank black is one of the greatest sonmgwriters of all time
Seems to be saying that self-destruction is a release. By destroying yourself you are freed - people will think you are dead, but in fact you are opening yourself to a new experience, freeing yourself from your torment. So maybe suicide isn't such a bad thing?
Of course, its probably metaphorical.
that is basically it... XD tho he said the song was completly about the el nino
@caitsith01: I mostly agree. I think you have the metaphor correct. However, I don't believe that the song is "saying" that; I prefer to think that Frank/the band are suggesting that these could be thoughts in the minds of the businessmen as they commit these acts. I believe they're trying to imagine how a person could internally rationalize such a murder-suicide. They find the answer to be: the freedom.<br /> <br /> I imagine that, for the great songwriters, writing a song is analogous to an actor becoming the character.
@caitsith01 Well, let's put it this way. 7 * 10^9 of one species think it's the way to go. So how could any majority be be that wrong? [-)<br />
@caitsith01 But of course I m not sure you did wait long enough to listen to any reply. [-)
@caitsith01 Dance danxce dance to the radio. Oh fuck them too. [-)
caitsith01 nailed it right on the head. i was thinking that exactly but wasnt sure how to put it into words. and the thing about the japanese business men makes a lot of sense the more i think about it. this very well could be my fav pixies song and has the best lyrics aside from monkey gone to heaven hands down
This I think is talking about how suicide, and well more specifically death, is a release, and that even though you're dying you're actually freeing yourself. I think thats what this song is trying to say, its not condoning suicide, but its simply just saying about how death is freedom, its a release.
It turns out that the song title "Wave of Mutilation" is taken from a Japanese newspaper headline on suicide
Hurricane katrina? As good as Black Francis is, he's no prophet.
I think sometimes he sings "wave of new relation". The song is about a new relationship. He's recently left his ex. She thinks he won't cope without her but he finds this new relationship. Mutilation as in the way one changes slightly to accommodate a new partner. In the second verse he's singing about how it's all worked out for him and he's pretty pleased with it all.
@leonr23 I think this line of thinking...
I agree with many who say the uk surf version is a better listen (if you liek the Pixies you really ought to seek this one out.
===
From what I know of the history here are some interesting facts a few might enjoy.
Some think it first appeared on the soundtrack of Pump Up the Volume (it did not) and others think the slower UK Surf mix came before the more common (and faster) album version (it did not):
The Pixies first released Wave of Multilation on a German 12" (Doolittle 1989, a one-sided promo release - only 2000 pressed and they inclued postcards!??! they were reproduced on the jacket of the US full release, the Pixies second album). The Pixies second album was the first major release of Wave of Mutilation (Doolittle 1989).
wErd! Later in 1989 the Pixies release the UK Surf version (not a remix - it was a completely new recording on a one-sided 12 inch promo (only 800 copies ever made btw).
It was then found on the B-side of the Here Comes Your Man single (later in 1989, UK release). Then, it then appeared on the soundtrack to Pump Up the Volume and subsequently on a variety of other promos, 12", compilations, etc.
sorry for all the typos...bad computer day (skipping; crashing; beeping)<br /> <br /> werd!