Large In The Margin

I think this one is about doing something you aren't proud of or making a bad decision...and then having it all come back to you. It's talking about how no matter how well you try to cover up your mistakes you'll hear about them again sometime in the future, and people will twist it around so it ends up being something 10 times worse than it was when it all started.

The chorus is about how there are many insecurities created by the mind that unfolds secretly within making you unhappy. He wants you to listen to the truth, spreading rumors is evil and makes you unhappy/paranoid.

Trying too hard to be happy, just let go.

The next big block of lyrics: Watch the moment even if it brings pain and accept it, because this is gaining wisdom and moving forward. There is nobody to blame for your pain except yourself, because you ultimately control it.

next block: Always listen because if you're always speaking/thinking of something to say you only know your point of view, which is not reality.

next block: Never give up the fight to keep growing, learning, loving etc. (Truly Living) or else the voices ( your own ego) will return to make you unhappy.

All of their songs relate to the "direct" experience of reality, (enlightenment) and all can easily be interpreted by that notion in mind. Their songs are not results of drugs, only themselves.

love

good explanation, i was having trouble trying to 'decode' this song.... la-la-large in da margin...luv it!

i believe this song is about rumors going around about you behind your back. It is about whether you should confront it or let it slide.

i read somewhere when Soundsystem came out that Nick said he was suffering from insomnia and that "Large in the Margin" and "Flowing" were both written about it. I think what he meant in this song is about being kept awake at night by your past and experiences coming back to haunt you that you can't ever change and can't get out of your head.

You guys are very close on the song meaning. This song is about the struggles of trying to achieve a quote "higher plane" of consciousness. This song tells of how your thoughts and your thoughts alone (the voices) are responsible for and mirror what you see and experience in your own life. AKA if something bad happens to you, it's your fault and vise versa ("in the end it's your own infection"). Brilliant song.

I had a friend in sixth grade that tried to convince me that this song was about masturbation. I think he was going solely off the line "my drama unfolds behind closed doors." I don't believe it one bit but I thought everyone might like a laugh.

I think this song is about schizophrenia.

First of all, "clout" from the beginning of the song, is defined as “an influence or pull,” in this case, from another entity in the brain. “Drama unfolds behind closed doors” of psychiatrist's offices all the time, told on the "down-low" or secretive grounds between the singer and his doctor. The singer can't think it’s better to accept what the doctor reveals - that someone else in his mind influences him. We don’t usually like to think we’re crazy!

I think jwoostyle has it right about the plane of existence. You have a very true philosophical view. I think it’s painful to try and discover your purpose or beliefs in life, especially when you fail. It would be even more difficult to escape your mind, or successfully try to understand yourself, should this song be about schizophrenia. Some studies have shown that acid (we all know what 311’s music is a product of :D) may bring out schizophrenic qualities in people who were a tad schizo in the first place. Sometimes the drug can bring about “the fear,” which I think this lyric also implies. Almost all the time, it goes away, but with few people, certain brain chemistries are strongly revealed.

The next stanzas entertain the idea that he must listen to these voices, taking them as they are. He goes on to say that if there’s another being in there with you, he’ll find you, constantly reminding you of his existence. “Giving up the fight” I think corresponds to allowing yourself to give up reality, as it exists for other people, and give in to the fact that you are schizo! It seems as though towards the end of the song, our friend has definitely given into the ailment, hoping now that the voices aren’t “too unkind.” There really is no reason to fear them, because these voices are a product of you.

Agree? Disagree? I didn’t give this site my real email, so respond here if you’d like, and I’ll check back.

This song reminds me of sticking something out that you don't really want to do, but you know that you should. The voices that come back to remind you for eternity, are the ones in your head that will come back to remind you that you gave up. theres no way to avoid listening to yourself and you will have to live with your decision with the rest of your life.

I guess I could see where the song could be about schizophrenia, but i would really perfer that it wasnt, i think its a creepy idea for a song.

"We'll fuck you UP! When you least expect it" Gahhh , I love this song. Its so good.