So long to this cold, cold part of the world
So long to this bone-bleached part of the world
So long to this salt-soaked part of the world
I stepped down as president of Antarctica
Can't blame me
Don't blame me
So long to this sad, sad part of the world
So long


Lyrics submitted by PLANES

The Cold Part Lyrics as written by Isaac Brock Eric Judy

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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The Cold Part song meanings
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  • +4
    General Comment

    "'The Cold Part' is the point of origin, the departure from a frigid physical surrounding and the hope for a change from all which fate has dwelt."

    From the Modest Mouse website.

    RemyKilledElvison June 30, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    If I ever kill myself instead of leaving a suicide note I'll just put this song on repeat on my stereo.

    NateKalbachon June 14, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Yeah good idea, then modest mouse will be the target of a mass of litigations and negative media attention for prompting stupid kids to suicide that will probably ruin their popularity and possibly prevent them from releasing new material. At the very least they'll be known as "that suicide band". good fucking idea.

    WarpWhistleeon November 04, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This is an awe-inspiring song. The discordance of the music and the repetitiveness of the lyrics were very evocative of suicide for me. I think that most of the song is pretty obvious, but the "So long to this salt soaked part of the world" quote to me brought forth images of barren wasteland that nothing will live or grow in because of the salt (or bad things) sown into the soil. Then the "I stepped down as president of Antarctica Can't blame me, don't blame me, don’t" line might mean that he wants to relinquish all control of his cold, meaningless life (hence the stepped down as president of antarctica part) and that no one can blame him for his suicide, because if they had been in his position, they would have done the same thing.

    I'm probably wrong about this, or reading too far into the lines, but thats just the way I see it....

    Also, WarpWhistlee, I dont think that Nate meant it literally when he said that. Even if he did, you probably shouldnt have reacted to it the way you did... it was a bit of an overreaction. But then again, everyone has their own opinion, and I'm not one to judge anyone else's actions, because I'm anything but perfect.

    la_femme_morte89on November 18, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    He's done living the life he describes in the song.

    love_is_freeon July 28, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I see the cold part of the world as one's depression or whatever ails you, and Isaac is saying "so Long", as in he is going to leave it behind him and move on. Or at least try.

    "I stepped down as president of Antarctica Can't blame me, don't blame me, don't" Because Antarctica is the "cold part of the world", being the president of it would mean one is the most depressed or coldest person in the world. Isaac wants to step down, but he feels an obligation to stay in his state of mind, because leaving the cold part might be leaving some people who either cause him pain or he associates with pain. "Can't blame me" He reasons that you can't really blame someone for trying to leave their depression. "Don't blame me" He starts to feel afraid of what he's trying to do. The people he's trying to leave, and the depression he has become so accustomed to. "Don't..." He's genuinely scared at this point.

    I sympathize with this song more than anything.

    ferretwhereitaton August 27, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion

    If you have ever read "An Antarctic Mystery" by Jules Verne the lyrics and atmosphere fit absolutely perfectly with the section of the story when they finally escape Antarctica. I would bet that Isaac Brock has read that book.

    meandereron June 02, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    way back when man lived in ice caves and freezing weather. quite possibly he's talking about evolution and cavemen saying goodbye to the cold and migrating south. most likely not what Isaac meant, but that's what it means to me. That's the great thing about the mouse. how so many of his songs mean different things. kind of like reading a book and having your own vision of what's going on.

    securebravoon July 18, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    or a poem, which is what music is, I like the quote, good song, veryyy sad.

    BeatJunkie08on March 17, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i want this song played at my funeral

    Dishwasheron April 14, 2003   Link

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