| Bloc Party – Waiting for the 7:18 Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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This song is referencing a famous poem by Nadine Stair: http://www.devpsy.org/nonscience/daisies.html Note the 'If I could do it again' part, and 'just give me moments' - clear references. This is a beautiful song that artfully recalls a beautiful poem, and adds the very moving and powerful images of the deafening London Underground (The Northern Line being one part of the London subway system) filled with unhappy commmuters, and the 'endless' feeling of January - the month that is known to be, statistically, the highest for suicides. A wonderful piece of music, especially to somebody who takes the Northern Line every day (and as the time of writing this comment it is mid-January). |
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| Dallas Green – In The Water, I Am Beautiful Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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The title of this song is a reference to Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. in the preface to 'Welcome to Monkey House': 'I am six feet two and weigh nearly two hundred pounds and am badly coordinated, except when I swim. All that borrowed meat does the writing. In the water I am beautiful.' |
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| Death Cab for Cutie – Your Heart Is an Empty Room Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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This song is so familiar, it speaks to me probably more than any other DCFC song. I think you're all pretty close with the meaning, but there's another element: sabotage. This is a song about sabotage. 'Burn it down till the embers smoke on the ground And start new when your heart is an empty room With walls of the deepest blue' This is about sabotaging a good relationship; you found 'the love that's true', but once you had her you didn't know what to do anymore. The chase is all you know, and all the possibilities and adventures in the city are so enticing. Every time I get in a relationship, I get this. It's a wonderful feeling when a song or any piece of art seems to suggest a line of thought that's familiar to us. 'Flames and smoke climbed out of every window And disappeared with everything that you held dear But you shed not a single tear for the things that you didn't need Because you knew you were finally free' This picks up the earlier metaphor from the first verse and develops it; after sabotaging the relationship, you watch everything you had made together break down, with this strange numbness (shedding not a single tear); you didn't need anything and now you are free again. Free to enjoy the possibilities of the street; to enter another chase - the cycle repeats. |
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| Bright Eyes – Tereza and Tomas Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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Just to confirm for anybody unclear - in the book, Tereza and Tomas have a truck accident and drive off a cliff. This is not the book's ending and it won't spoil anything for you (Milan Kundera's writing is too clever and poetic to rely on 'suspense' to be enjoyed). It helps to understand the song; the ideal of romantic bliss and oblivion. The song is mainly unrelated to Tomas and Teraza's love affair. The 'sailing' metaphor is not about them at all, and lyrically it is one of Conor's simpler arrangements (he was young when it was written). The lyrics aren't even terribly elegant. But it is nonetheless quite beautiful. I think what confuses people is the title of the song has little relation to the content - the Kundera reference is just tacked on at the end. But as was mentioned above, Conor can probably relate to Tomas, and to Tereza in parts, and the ideal of their love is very compelling. The true meaning of love is in that book, and you'll find it right at the end. I won't spoil that for anybody, not for suspense's sake, but because I couldn't possibly do it any justice. Needless to say, it is achingly beautiful, and elegantly brings to a close a true masterpiece of a book. Just as that last line brings an elegant close to a very sweet song. |
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| Noah and the Whale – L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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'But his best word was his letters home' should be 'his best WORK'. 'His standard works of fiction' is actually 'Extended works of fiction'. The chorus is "You're going your own way", not "you go in your own way". |
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| Show Of Hands – Be Lucky Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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These lyrics are missing the first verse: ~ I was seventeen In a painted caravan where I Went to get my fortune told. There on Avon banks I held out my hand asking "Can you see what the future holds?" She said "Be smart or lucky If you've gotta break the mould, break the rules Make friends or money But if you would be kind, be cruel." ~ |
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| Idlewild – American English Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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The lyrics above are not correct - they're wrong in a few places, and they've missed a really important section at the end that is sung over the chorus. I'm not sure how to make sure songs get corrected on here, but here are the full and correct lyrics of this wonderful song: Songs when they're true, Are all dedicated to you, And this invisible world I choose to live in. And if you believe that, Then now i understand Why words mean so much to you - They'll never be about you. Maybe you're young without youth, Or maybe you're old without knowing anything's true; I think you're young without youth. Then you contract the American dream, You'll never look up once, You've contracted American dreams, I require you to stop and look up. Sing a song about myself, Keep singing a song about myself, Not some invisible world. Constantly searching to find something new, But what will you find when you think that nothing's true? Maybe it's that nothing is new. So you let me hear songs that were written all about you The good songs weren't written for you; They'll never be about you. Then you contract the American dream, You'll never look up once. You've contracted American dreams, You'll never look up once - So don't look up, Sing a song about myself, Keep singing a song about myself, Not some invisible world. [X2] And I won't tell you what this means, 'Cos you already know. And I won't tell you what this means, 'Cos you already know. So sing a song about myself, Keep singing a song about myself, Not some invisible world. [X3] [In background:] You came along, and found the weak-spot That you've always wanted. Let yourself be everything That you've always wanted. It doesnt have to be so decided If you've always wanted. No need for explanations You've always wanted. You'll find what you find, When you find there's nothing. [X2] |
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| Bright Eyes – I Won't Ever Be Happy Again Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I am interested by the section: 'But as the story goes, or it is often told A new day will arise And all the dance halls will be full of skeletons That are coming back to life And on a grassy hill the Lion will lay down with the Lamb' This is a biblical reference (as happens increasingly with Conor's material as he ages). The 'lion laying down with the lamb' is supposed to be one of the things that will happen when Christ returns, along with the dead rising ('skeletons that are coming back to life'). Of course, Conor is an atheist and was struggling with it around this time. Hence the next line: 'But until that time I think I had better find Some disbelief to suspend' He is saying that until Christ actually returns he can't believe in him, and needs to 'suspend his disbelief'. He is so desperate to not feel so down, he is wishing that he could believe in god and Jesus just to feel better. I can empathise. I am an atheist who has, in moments of darkness, wished that I could believe. But like Conor, I find that this is not possible. For more on that biblical reference (it is not a quotation), read: http://dblaywell5oh.tripod.com/id18.html Of course, later in the EP that this song comes from (Dont Be Frightened of Turning the Page) Conor finds another source for happiness in family and procreation. It is a humanist lesson, that suggests that happiness comes not from divine providence or a higher power, but from love and family. It's a great lesson for us all. |
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| Regina Spektor – Somedays Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Noble efforts here to interpret the song. Regina's lyrics are always a tough fusion of fact and fiction, and can be hard or even impossible to interpret accurately. This song is actually a simpler one, and if you know a bit about her it makes sense. The 'in love with your daughter' part is obvious when you learn one fact: Regina is a lesbian. Many, many of her lyrics allude to this, and there is a famous recording of 'Genius' which she starts by telling the audience "I'm a lesbian!! (chuckles)". Its a simple song about bad days. "im gone away" etc is just pretending to be away so that 'downtown' will leave her alone. Simple, and gorgeous. One of the best Regina songs in my humble opinion. Reminds me of Joni Mitchell's 'Down To You', very slightly. |
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| Regina Spektor – Genius Next Door Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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DeeBabes: if you met her then why do you call her 'Regina Skeptor'... Apart from that, no offence but everyone on SM claims to have met the artist and its normally rubbish, and your fable doesn't sound any more reliable to me. As for meaning, clearly if you read the lyrics only the genius was orgasming in the lake (if we accept the orgasm theory), because it was 'the secret he was keeping'. The kids swam, which makes the orgasm theory revolting, but nonetheless still very likely. The film crews are a strange addition... they must be coming to film the strange phenomenon of the thick watered lake. Anyone else have the live version? At the beginning it sounds like she's saying 'Im a lesbian', but I may be mishearing. Love Regina's lyrics - fantastic stuff. |
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| Guillemots – Trains to Brazil Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| The title is a clear reference to the 90's early-emo band Jets to Brazil (RIP!!). | |
| The Used – Wake The Dead Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Oh - for anyone that still thinks Bert didnt sing that note, listen to 'Noise and Kisses' on the first album and you'll here a VERY similar note. Its proof, i tell thee! | |
| The Used – Wake The Dead Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Ok - to clear something up, just because Monique Powell is listed in the credits for this song does NOT mean that the 'ahh ahh' bit in the slow section is her and not Bert. In fact, if you know Bert's voice properly (esp. from the old days when he used to go for incredible notes, like the end of 'On My Own'), and if you've seen them live and heard when he really 'goes for it' - you'll know that he is capable of this sort of thing - and that the voice is this song on that crazy note is very clearly and obviously Bert's. My guess is that Monique Powell provides backing vocals, which are of course heard quietly throughout the song (rather than multi-tracking Bert which makes it harder to perform live). As for the meaning, I don;t think it's actualyl about the living dead; it's a metaphor, given away in the lines An empty hole in your chest where your heart used to beat Does this mean what I think it means? Just how could both you and me be about as dead as we could be And then the linked metaphor of 'screaming loud enough to wake the dead' - i.e. getting through to the core of emotionally 'dead' people. The Used are fantastic and the new album is awesome. I don't agree with the person that said if you like this you wont like the first album. I know loads of people who love both, for different but connected reasons. The self-titled album was raw, gutsy and brilliantly varied - with a good set of lyrics to boot. The second and now this album show a gradual increase in instrumentation and experimentation, but with the old rawness and poeticism still evident. Reminds me that American emo can still be sincere. |
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| Sunny Day Real Estate – 5/4 Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Oh also - the song uses syncopation* to make the already confusing time signature even more difficult to follow! Artistic or artless? At any rate, an incredible show of skill from the band - this is NOT easy to do! I'd venture a guess this took an awful lot of practice before being ready to record... * http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=define:+syncopation&spell=1 |
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| Sunny Day Real Estate – 5/4 Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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First of all, the title refers to the song's time signature (5/4). This is typical of SDRE's lax song titling. This song is fantastic in its use of timing - any musicians will know how hard it is to keep up a 5/4 for any length of time. The last line of this song suggests to me that its not about jesus - if it was, why would he clumsily state 'you're jesus'? Clearly he is calling somebody else jesus. Obv Jeremy is a Christian so he is seeing christ in somebody, in that wierd wooly sort of way that new-age Christians like him do, seeing christ 'everywhere' :S I do wish that SDRE were less god/christianity-focussed - think of the fascinating insights Jeremy's clearly poetic mind might hold apart from 'oh isnt jesus wonderful'... I actually think he makes the lyrics up either on the spot or just before - the lyrics are usually fairly garbled and nonsensical. I no longer bother trying to interpret them as I don't think they are written carefully as poetic pieces, even if the tone is poetic - the content isn't. FANTASTIC band though, with great instrumentation, vocal style and a great song altogether. |
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| Ambry – Linguistic Relativity for Horses Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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This beautiful song is about a dying relationship. It's about knowing you have to let go of a relationship, and the pain of that acceptence. 'With these words that you want to hear, they're all I want to say to save you' This is about wanting to say "i love you" and "I'll be there for you" but knowing you only want to say them to save someone - not because you actually mean them. 'And I still can't shut my eyes knowing the thought of me not waking up might hurt you' This is about being torn apart by the notion that he has to stay 'awake' in the relationship; He cannot 'die' and pass out of it. 'I'll be gone in a week, but still she finds the strength to sleep,Right next to me (to me)' This indicates he's thinking these things whilst they're still together. Their last night together, or one of the last nights. Knowing things are dying, 'there's no shame in giving in' as it says in verse 1. He is amazed that she still has the strength to go on despite the near-end. The chorus plays on the word 'scratch' - gives it a double meaning. 'Scratch' can mean to 'ignore, rub out to try again' or literally to physically scratch. He 'scratches his accidents' - tries to forget clumsy things he said or thought, and 'scratches the walls' - feels claustraphobic, cannot escape what is truly happening. I know what is being spoken about here because it is happening to me. I am in a relationship where I'm struggling to be in love with her as much as she loves me, and she's off travelling soon and then we're off to different universities so we know we dont have much time left together. It's amazing how some songs seem to be written about you. Idlewild told us in 'American English' that no song is written about you or for you. They were right. But when somebody writes a song that is about something that happened to them, which is similar to something that you are going through, it shows value of music as a tool of communication and comfort; Of shared experience. Ambry rule. |
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| Foo Fighters – On The Mend Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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Coma theory is interesting. Probably is supposed to sound like that but as a metaphor. Though it might not even be that complicated - Dave Grohl always insists on the simplicity of his lyrics. Beautiful song, fabulous guitar work. Love the instrumental outro that plays the song out, with it's rising harmonies and clever use of rhythmic syncopation. Brilliant. Second only to 'Razor' on the acoustic CD. |
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| Jimmy Eat World – Just Watch The Fireworks Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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To me, this is the most romantic song ever written. I am currently going through the same situation I believe Jimmy is describing. He is in love with someone, who may love him back, but there are practical problems in the way. There are things stopping it working. 'What giving up gives you and where giving up takes you. I've had and I've been. Here in center frame, there's only air. Just enough space to fit.' Here Jimmy is saying that, as many of us know, giving up on things often doesn't work. So standing in the middle of a situation, in 'center frame', there's not much room to move around - it's constricting and difficult. 'I said it out loud over and over but what do I know. I'll stop now' He's tried so many times to say it aloud and make it simple - but it's not, and never will be. 'Just so I can hear you I stay up as late as it takes, as long as it takes. I promised I'd see it again. I promised I'd see this with you now.' The 'promises' he made are to himself. He made a promise to himself to hang on - to stay for the feelings like the one's he's having now. He fears the practical problems - possibly just that he might never get to be with anyone else again. But - and here's the real beauty of the song - Jimmy just says for now, 'just watch the fireworks'. observe the beauty of the moment, and the truth of that beauty (as John Keats said, 'Beauty is truth and truth beauty'). 'Here you can be anything' - the moment is, as Stephen Chbosky's 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' coined, 'infinite'. Inside that moment, everytihng is perfect and possible. When the fireworks stop - when the moment ends, who knows what will happen. But for now, just watch the fireworks. It is a very romantic song - and similtaneously happy and very, very sad. Jimmy Eat World are incredible. If you like this try Death Cab for Cutie (particularly the highly JEW-esque 'Transatlanticism' album). |
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| The Anniversary – Hold Me Tonight Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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FIrstly - what a terrific song. Amazing rythm, and well applied effects. To me, that synthesizer sound always sounds like a fun fair, sort of reminds me of kissing on a ferris wheel. The song is about an imperfect love, which then gets idealised and 'recognised' as perfect, as it were. The duet-style vocals really lend the song a tenderness and a sincerity, and it amazes me how totally unconventional this song is yet whilst being so utterly romantic. It really is one of the most romantic songs of all time. Reminds me somewhat of 'Nothing Better' by the Postal Service, and 'I See You, You See Me' by the Magic Numbers. Secondly, some problems with these lyrics: - 'Follow me to then end of the sea' - it's to 'the' end of the sea. Just makes more sense, and sounds right. - 'My hands reach out and into nothing but your big turning eyes?' - it's 'into nothing but your glittering eyes'. |
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| Joni Mitchell – Cactus Tree Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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I can't believe there aren't more comments on this song; This is my favourite Joni song, and really does describe Joni's internal conflict which fuelled so much of her early material. 'And she's so busy being free...' - Joni always felt she 'needed' to travel, and this compulsion made it hard for her to hold down relationships, as she was too 'busy being free'. 'And her heart is full and hollow, like a cactus tree' - this beautiful metaphor seems to describe the frustration she felt at herself for being so closed off to others (like a cactus, which is not a hollow plant). The people she mentions in this song may well have been real people. The alternative is that I am totally wrong, and this song is a purely allegorical take on the follies of youth and young love. This would be consistent with other songs from the 'Song to A Seagull' album, where her writing was more imaginative and allegorical (Nathan La Franeer, Marcie, Pirates of Penance). This was before her songwriting became more confessional in 'Ladies of the Canyon' and 'Blue'. So yeah...I'm confused. |
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| Fightstar – Palahniuk's Laughter Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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Getting really pissed off with people like AshJ telling people off for expressing opinions rather than just interpretations; this site asks you 'what does this song mean to you'. The answer to that question is just much about opinion as it is about interpretation -what makes this site great is people discussing opinions and expressing support and solidarity for the bands and songs they love. This song kicks butt - i won't labour the point about not comparing them to Busted - just dont even bother. Fightstar are entirely seperate. They remind me of Funeral For A Friend and Finch, but with a distinctive sound nonetheless. Nothing groundbreaking, bar some excellent drum work and powerful gritty vocals - but otherwise just a highly competent and dynamic interpretation of the Emopunk/core/metal genre - and not all great art rests on simply creating something new. The perfection of a form is art too. Like most of Fightstar's stuff, it is let down by it's meaningless lyrics; they seem to just be pretty words stuck together, which as a songwriter I can't help but think of as a little bit indulgent. But anyway great music and very promising. Well done boys. |
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| Eva Cassidy – Who Knows Where the Time Goes Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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I can't believe no one has commented on this song. This is quite simply my favourite song ever. Eva's ability to turn other peoples songs into her own is something incredibley special. This song sung with her incredible voice moves me like no other, and has brought enough tears to my eyes to fill a small swimming pool. It is devastatingly beautiful, and a beauiful observation on life - as well as a top-rate ballad. If you like this try Eva's version of 'True Colours', or even Tracy Chapman's 'All That You Have is Your Soul' |
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| Third Eye Blind – Burning Man Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| is it about a man with ghonorreia? | |
| Third Eye Blind – The Background Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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The lyrics, whether she is dead or not, are only half of teh beauty of this song. Musically, it is simply ingenius. Listen to the way that the words 'in the background' (and some others depending on the version you have) are said into a carbon microphone to actually sound like they are 'inteh background'. It is so clever. Indeed, the dreamy, resonating quality of the song really sounds like memory. Favourite lines: And I live in the numbness now And I'm hanging on your words like I always used to do TEB are fantastic, both musically and lyrically. Songmeanings rocks!!! Or in the case of this song gently sways... |
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| Dashboard Confessional – Living In Your Letters Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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Great song, truly passionate, and I love the way he resolves to not give up, and keep trying; 'So I'll hit the pavement, it's gotta be better than waiting, and pushing you far away cause I'm scared.' I think hitting the pavement describes putting up with the pain, rather than 'waiting' for things to die out. He could also be resolving to go and meet her. 'So I'll take my chances and head on my way up there, Cause turning to you is like falling in love when you're ten.' - several people have gotten close, but I reckon what it means is a mixture of what others have said. Falling in love when you're 10 is innocent, idealistic and gives you 'that feeling in your stomach', but it is also hopeless and ultimately can't work; and that pretty much sums up these romantic long-distance relationships. By 'heading on his way up there' he is resolving to just gofor it full blast. Possibley he is talking about travelling to see her, which would help to explain 'its gotta be better than waiting'. |
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| Third Eye Blind – Wounded Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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Third Eye Blind have the unique ability to handle such delicate and tetchy subject matter with the utmost grace adn earnesty. This song is uplifting, powerful and totally original - none of the cliche that can arise out of such subject matter. Stephan's lyrics are always incredible, particularly here and in 'Motorcycle Drive-by' and 'Hows it Gonna Be'. I agree with Sobeautiful that the song is musically fantastic - the haunting, reverbatating verses interspersed with powerful, distorted guitar-based choruses. And the song doesn't use conventional song structure, instead flowing freely unlike most badns of this genre. Genre being a word to use loosely here as this band and this song particularly are highly original. I particularly love how at the end it ascends into pure joy; Back down the bully to the back of the bus Cause it's time for them to be scared of us Till you're yelling, how we living cause you got the ball Then you rock on baby, rock on, your rock on On and on You're a summer time hottie with her socks in the air Screaming I don't care baby I don't care The 'socks in the air' metaphor is an unusual one particularly, and is strangely powerful and vivid. |
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