submissions

The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic Lyrics

21 years ago

I would have to side most with the first poster. Here we have arguably the most perfect song ever written about becoming absolutely infatuated with a girl. Totally happy, though, it is not. "Every little thing she does is magic" is merely an observation from a far distance, he doesn't totally know her and can't truly connect ("[My silent fears have gripped me"). Ultimately he's left to ask why he "must ... always be alone." Every guy has had these feelings before. The thought of her studying, or working, or brushing her just absolutely kills you and then the inevitable happens: either reality sets in or the breakup occurs. Sting hopes to avoid that here, consciously or not. He doesn't want to make the phone call. It's tragic, and it's true. Imagining the wedding is a lot more fun that actually confessing your feelings and getting rejected. Irregardless, it's what one has to do. At some point, we all "end[...] up getting wet."

submissions

Les Savy Fav – Asleepers Union Lyrics

21 years ago

Like a lot of Les Savy Fav songs, this one is tricky, and I wouldn't be especially surprised if, even in Mr. Harrington's head, there isn't a single, firmly defined notion of what's going on. Essentially, it can be read as a collection of scenes on centered around the idea of aftermath, the moments following something genuinely moving or simply spectacular (in the Debordian sense). Judging by the marriage allusions in the closing lines, it wouldn't be a stretch to suggest that "A kiss and a cough, now everyone's gone" refers to the feeling one feels post-wedding. Family have left, the ceremony is done, and someone you're suddenly and painfully alone. While profound in the moment, one is left with a bizarre notion of loneliness, as if the previous hours had just been a show, not unlike the sudden sensation felt by the TV personalities as "the TV goes off" and "their makeup remains." Ultimately, though, it's just the nature of life, of human contact and intimacy, Harrington intimates - his "suit", his prescribed place in the universe fits much too tight, but he has no choice, it's just the nature of the game. And while it's a reality that makes him feel "over [his] head in a shallow waterbed," it's not difficult to sense a ring of contentment in his voice. To put in the words of the Unicorns, "This is life, so we'll survive."

submissions

Yo La Tengo – Our Way to Fall Lyrics	21 years ago
This song is adorable. Ira and Georgia have been together for well over a decade now, and Ira's still more than able to write perfect long songs. They're falling deeper into love, still unable to forget that first moment he knew they would. Endlessly charming and a mixtape staple.

submissions

The Streets – Could Well Be In Lyrics

21 years ago

This is a really sweet, genuine love song. On the one hand, he's excited about the prospect of getting back to his room with the girl, but you almost sense the chorus is purer than that: he likes this girl and just loves chatting with her. Just note the self consciousness, worrying about what to say, what she's thinking. He's falling for her hard, and both he and the listener, at this point, aren't sure what's going to happen.

submissions

Sonic Youth – Creme Brulee Lyrics

21 years ago

This song is hilarious. I have a good friend whom I often share creme brulee with, and I thought it might be charming to throw this on one of her mixes. Alas, the last line ruins it: I'd like something more than that. Nonetheless, Kim sort of embodies the ambiguity in male / female relationships. While the verses are relatively nonsensical, the repeating line is certainly loaded with meaning, suggesting a couple that is hooking up, perhaps outside of some natural boundaries, in a situation that can't possibly last. There's irony in the last line, then, but it's bitter and, though she delivers it with aplomb, sort of sad.

submissions

Sonic Youth – Freezer Burn/I Wanna Be Your Dog Lyrics	21 years ago
This is a positively violent cover of Iggy Pop's already primitive "I Wanna Be Your Dog." The genius here, though, is that Kim's singing totally sincerely, an almost disconcerting gamble on her part. She's simultaneously eschewing and embracing female empowerment in one single, two minute attack. Brilliant.

submissions

Sonic Youth – Kool Thing Lyrics

21 years ago

Definitely an attack on gender (specifically male) constructs and general identity. But it's more playful than that. This feminism is passe, formulated two decades before the release of Goo, and she's playing with it. Life isn't quite so simple, and she hints at an element of pleasure in both the traditional framing, as well as the institutionalized rebellion. There's a hint of satisfaction in the offer of a shave, and she's also singing directly to the target of her attack. Whether Chuck D or LL Cool J, they're very much in on the game, as well, the wink being offered in both directions.

submissions

Sonic Youth – Shadow Of A Doubt Lyrics

21 years ago

I'd agree that there's an element of infidelity of here, but I sense more ambivilence. It seems like a dream now, a thousand years ago, she says, seemingly distancing herself from it, as if speaking to her love (Thurston?), but at the same time she sounds perhaps more erotic here than on almost any other Sonic Youth recording. "Kiss me," he whisper playfully, repeatedly, while shouts of "No," also echo in the background. In some sense, it's the basic plot of Eyes Wide Shut reified.

submissions

Belle & Sebastian – Dirty Dream Number Two Lyrics

21 years ago

In some sense the meaning here is obvious, a quick tour through the noctural fantasies of Mr. Murdoch. Indeed, while he's literally "stuck to the sheets" after these seemingly frequent incidents, there's a delicate overlapping of reality and dream taking. 'Facing a choice', he chooses to procrastine, making "Why is this happening to you, we're not a child?" especially revealing. Yes, it's awkward physically, but it's also an admission of guilt: I need to grow up and, in a sense, face the "healthy dose of pain."

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