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.
A short delay, the parrot blues
Little voices mimic you
It's not so hard to make that sound
So watch your back, the Ides of March
Cut your hair like Joan of Arc
Disguise your will, they'll find you out
And when they do, look out
There's money lenders inside the temple
That circus tiger's going to break your heart
Something so wild turned into paper
If I loved you, well that's my fault
A bitch in heat, the alpha male
Not something she'd ever tell
Except when she got deathly high
And out it came like summer rain
It washed the cars and everything
Felt clean for just a little while
A telethon we drunk dialed
Those starving children, they ain't got no mother
There's pink flamingos living in the mall
I'd give a fortune to your infomercial
If somebody would just take my call
Take my call
Hello, patterns in my mind now moving slow
Sorrow all across the surface rolls
Smoothing out the edges of the stone
The lights are out, where'd everybody go?
Alone
Erase yourself and you'll be free
Mandala destroyed by the sea
All we are is colored sand
So pay to ride the ferris wheel
Smile, all that you can feel
Is gratitude for what has been
Because it did not happen
There's money lenders inside the temple
That circus tiger's going to break my heart
Something so wild turned into paper
If you love me, then that's your fault
There's money lenders inside the temple
This crystal city's going to fall apart
When all their power turns into vapor
If I miss you, well that's my fault
Little voices mimic you
It's not so hard to make that sound
So watch your back, the Ides of March
Cut your hair like Joan of Arc
Disguise your will, they'll find you out
And when they do, look out
There's money lenders inside the temple
That circus tiger's going to break your heart
Something so wild turned into paper
If I loved you, well that's my fault
A bitch in heat, the alpha male
Not something she'd ever tell
Except when she got deathly high
And out it came like summer rain
It washed the cars and everything
Felt clean for just a little while
A telethon we drunk dialed
Those starving children, they ain't got no mother
There's pink flamingos living in the mall
I'd give a fortune to your infomercial
If somebody would just take my call
Take my call
Hello, patterns in my mind now moving slow
Sorrow all across the surface rolls
Smoothing out the edges of the stone
The lights are out, where'd everybody go?
Alone
Erase yourself and you'll be free
Mandala destroyed by the sea
All we are is colored sand
So pay to ride the ferris wheel
Smile, all that you can feel
Is gratitude for what has been
Because it did not happen
There's money lenders inside the temple
That circus tiger's going to break my heart
Something so wild turned into paper
If you love me, then that's your fault
There's money lenders inside the temple
This crystal city's going to fall apart
When all their power turns into vapor
If I miss you, well that's my fault
Lyrics submitted by jethrothekid
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
:) you are all very silly. it's: Mandala learn all about it right here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala
dear Conor is talking about a moment where a whole complex entity is destroyed. Like the practice of making a Mandala from tiny rocks, which is magnificently rich and detailed, for a whole year by Buddhist monks - which then destroy it in a second, only to begin a new one the next day.
the pink flamingos in the mall reference is directed at west edmonton mall in edmonton, alberta. conor has played a few times at a venue inside the mall and always talks about the flamingos.
I guess this song is about betrayals and things going badly... and it's definitely on the obscurantist side. Money lenders obviously refers to that famous scene in the Bible when JC overturns the money lenders' tables because it's so immoral and corrupt and has no place in a space of worship, but CO is also drawing a parallel to our time, saying that all that we hold sacred is being corrupted and destroyed by money/power/empire.
I think there are also underlying themes of revolution and the need for rapid change. (the starving children, flamingos in mall=decadence?, and obviously Jeanne d'Arc - but watch out if you're openly critical because they will burn you at the stake if they find out)
I think that () word is mandala because it's a sacred image that is often drawn with colored sand. Tibetan Buddhists spend months drawing elaborate mandalas and at the end, they just blow it away because the mandala represents the universe and the erasure of it demonstrates impermanence. (And that's a theme we've seen before in CO's writing)
I agree with the biblical reference. I remember when i was in school we were told that story by the teacher and she always emphasized that is was the only time when Jesus lost his temper. Its as if Conor is trying to portray how badly he has been betrayed. The one thing he though was so sacred it was untouchable has been desecrated
This song may be about prostitution.
Temple = Love "Something so wild turned into paper." - Sex becoming a business transaction. "If I/you loved you/me, well that's your/my fault." - Love is not a part of this transaction (and you cannot expect reciprocation if you feel anything).
Just listen and read through with that interpretation and it all makes a lot of sense.
A short delay The parrot blues Little voices mimic you It’s not so hard to make that sound So watch your back The ides of March Cut your hair like Joan of Arc Disguise your will They’ll find you out And when they do Look out There’s money lenders inside the temple That circus tiger's going to break your heart Something so wild turned into paper If I loved you, well, that’s my fault A bitch in heat The alpha male Not something she’d ever tell Except when she got deafly high Then out it came like summer rain Washed the cars and everything Felt clean for just a little while A telethon we drunk dialed Those starving children They ain’t got no mother Theres pink flamingos living in the mall I’d give a fortune to your infomercial If somebody would just take my call Take my call Hello? Patterns in my mind now moving slow Sorrow all across the surface roads Smoothing out the edges of the stone The lights are out where’d everybody go alone Erase yourself and you’ll be free Men dull are destroyed by the sea All we are is colored sand So pay to ride the Ferris wheel Smile All that you can feel is gratitude for what has been Because it did not happen There’s money lenders inside the temple That circus tiger's going to break my heart Something so wild turned into paper If you love me, well, that’s your fault There’s money lenders inside the temple This crystal city’s going to fall apart When all their power turns into vapor If I miss you, well, that’s my fault That’s my fault
I think it's about trusting only oneself and being alone
i think this is my favorite song ever.
One more thing. = )
I'm quite sure he says "The bitch in heat, the alpha male." Not "pitchin heat." In addition, I think he says "telethon" not telephone and "vapor" not paper.
the title of the song is officially money lenders, atleast that's what he said at the concert, and i think you're write about the lyrics
this is my favorite of the new set. it has a really haunting melody and the song seems timeless. quite refreshing after the prada suits and cassadaga...