I make reservations at the Crystal Skull for me...
For me, and Scarlet, and a a friend of hers
I'm not gonna lie to you it only gets worse
She gets so disconnected when her glass is too full

And Scarlet gets bombed
And Scarlet gets high and she breaks into song
Scarlet gets loud, Scarlet gets lost
And the gloves come off
And she's like this every night...
Down at the Crystal Skull
The Crystal Skull is open all night

I think I was ready for a quiet night...
A quiet night of talking we ended up...
Ended up, ended up downtown
'Cause Scarlet's thirsty inside
She's a fisherman who drains the ocean first...
And then decides

And Scarlet gets bombed
And Scarlet gets high and she breaks into song
Scarlet gets loud, Scarlet gets angry
And Scarlet is so tired...
She's been swimming for awhile...
Nobody reaches shore riding the crimson tide

Down at the Crystal Skull...
The Crystal Skull
The Crystal Skull
The Crystal Skull is open all night...
Is open all night

And Scarlet's ready to go out tonight
Go out tonight
Go out tonight
Scarlet's ready to go out...
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
Scarlet's ready to go out...
Tonight


Lyrics submitted by STWag11

The Crystal Skull Lyrics as written by Ryan Adams

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

The Crystal Skull song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

1 Comment

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song is about someone, "Scarlet," who drinks too much and too often and also uses methamphetamine, often referred to as "Crystal", or at least some form of speed. The "Crystal Skull" perhaps represents the brain on speed. You could assume that Scarlet is the speaker's girlfriend. The friend of Scarlet's addressed in the first verse is alcohol. "She gets so disconnected when her glass is too full" could mean that she gets too drunk when she's on speed, and it is common knowledge that any form of amphetamine allows its user to drink more alcohol than they would normally be able to. Scarlet is described as a "fisherman who drains the ocean first and then decides." I can't speak for everyone but I have heard that drinking on speed allows you to "drink like a fish." If this is what Ryan Adams was referring to than Scarlet draining the ocean would clearly mean that she drinks too much when she's high on speed. The fourth verse reads "Scarlet is so tired... She's been swimming for a while." This probably means that Scarlet is strung out on speed and been drinking too much, too often. The lyric "The Crystal Skull is open all night" that appears frequently throughout the song probably refers to the fact that being high on any form of amphetamine keeps you awake all night, and sometimes, consecutive days and nights. That's my take on the song. I'd love to read some other interpretations as I am open to other people's opinions on the the meaning of the song.

    GJon July 04, 2013   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
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/
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Album art
Plastic Bag
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.