| The Shins – Those To Come Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| The best song on Chutes Too Narrow, no doubt. | |
| Beck – Broken Train Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I see a soup kitchen sort of deal when I hear "bread line." Folks in a line, waiting for bread. This song has a lot of contrast between the rich and the poor... The rich lie and cheat, while the "bra-burning deportees" stand up for what they believe in. p.s. when did they do the bra-burning thing? I'm thinking it was in the '70s, but it had to have been earlier than that. |
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| Cake – Opera Singer Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Sundaydriving; I was about to cap off the comments here with something very similar to what you just said... however, the manner in which you said it makes me laugh very much. I had a friend who's in ballet. (Before I say anything else, I want everyone to know that I certainly appreciate what it takes to become a good (ballet) dancer.) This girl's ego about it is Astronomical. She has the same attitude as the character in the song. "And every single morning/By 10 AM I'm dressed" In response to this, regular, working-class folk (such as myself), ask "Who cares?" and follow up with a good solid, "Go to hell," or, "I have other things to care about." The funny thing is, my friend is a flippin' novice. She's LOUSY. Hm, maybe it's just funny to me. (The REALLY funny part is when she'll practices in public. It makes her feel like people are watching and are impressed. it's the mentality of a five year old.) OH WELL. Well said, Sundaydriving. Good song. |
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| Cake – Sad Songs And Waltzes Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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More praise as a final song on Fashion Nugget, definately. Clever Cake. |
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| Cake – Daria Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I love the DARIA chorus bit. The rest of the song is mediocer Cake. nothing mentioned about cheating, Cape. Appears that Daria finally had enough of his resistance; "You told me to get out." Besides that, Radiocakedove at the beginning seemed to have it. DAAAAR-RIA |
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| Cake – I Bombed Korea Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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There are two things that I know about this song: - the music is RIDICULOUS sounding - the lyrics are a korean Vet reminising. I wouldn't say that this is a protest song, but don't you think Cake is saying something about (drunk) Veterans? I mean, when you sing it to yourself in the car, don't you snicker? |
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| Cake – Frank Sinatra Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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halfbaked's interpretation = very clever this song makes me want to throw my hands in the air and dance |
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| Cake – Cool Blue Reason Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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OPINIONHEAD IT DOES MAKE MY HAIR STAND ON END And where did the "Death row" interpretation come up? I think it came from Immortal113, but there's really no reference to it in the song. For some reason I envisioned the same thing. It almost sounds as if the character is drowning in cool blue reason, no? It's the only Cake song that I ever thought was "pretty" (creepy as hell, but pretty). |
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| Violent Femmes – Out The Window Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Reminds me of the Velvet Underground. Lou Reed-ish. And Cake. but that's just because they have the song "Guitar." ("If I threw my guitar, out the window...") |
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| Rusted Root – Cat Turned Blue Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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this song was going through my head this morning, and for a while I tricked myself into thinking the lyrics went "Got kicked in the balls, daddy long legger" But.. it's not. *ahem* For some reason, it reminds me of Galaxy, by Blindmelon. |
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| Rusted Root – Send Me On My Way Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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My mother recently turned 50, and for her birthday we bought her "When I Woke." This song has been something of her mantra since. First of all, it's very catchy. Secondly, she's finally "On her way." After years and years of not having a unified direction in life, she finally got into a steady career, and everything is turning around. Finally! Actually, she knew the sister-in-law of one of the members.. I forget if she said the SIL was a member at one point... . I think so. Great group. Peace. |
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| Ben Folds Five – Selfless, Cold, and Composed Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Amazing. Gorgeous. This song does exactly what lyrics should do. The soulfull expression of a single emotion. What kind of pain would you feel if someone you loved replaced their love with nothing? How do you handle apathy? It would hurt. I can feel it. Reading these lyrics makes me feel like Ben is still out there singing this song, trying to fight or laugh or cry with this girl. |
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| Pete Yorn – Strange Condition Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Write me a letter, do not leave out the words gorgeous. |
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| Pete Yorn – June Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Maybe he's not even talking to a girl. | |
| John Cale – Hanky Panky Nohow Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Excellent. I'll check it out. | |
| The Flaming Lips – She Don't Use Jelly Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I know this song might sound as if it's about mastrubation-- HOWEVER, I cite the Flaming Lips own rockumentary, "Fearless Freaks" (an excellent movie); Wayne Coyne: I've heard "She Don't Use Jelly" is about mastrubation... I didn't know that. I've never heard of such a thing in OK city. (Or something to that effect.) |
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| The Shins – Know Your Onion! Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Oldflashy: Agreed. I honestly believe The Velvet Underground was a greater influence on rock culture, but most people aren't familar with them. |
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| Eels – World Of Shit Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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pheine said it. I like the line "So let's get married and make some people." |
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| Eels – Dead of Winter Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Grief must be one of the most powerful processes a person can go through. I haven't gone through it yet-- not truly. Listening to this song, understanding E, and reading these comments I can almost emphathize Grief. The images of standing in the cold, watching cars blow past, etc. can really stab you in the heart with an icicle when you take a moment to try to experience it. Mr. E is a gorgeous writer with terrible inspriation. It'd be very hard to try to convey these things if you hadn't gone through some of the shit like that. It makes you wonder what poetry or lyrics hasn't he published that he's holding on to? Is there something that's too personal for him to share? What songs didn't they record and produce? Peace. |
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| Coldplay – The Scientist Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Compare this to "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold. Dover Beach is a poem from the mid-to-late 1800's or so, questioning religion and science. it's a good one. |
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| The Shins – One By One All Day Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Agreed, Sean. But should I look at this as poetry, or lyrics? God. I've been trying to anayize this for the past ten minutes, but what else is there to say? Oh- I thought "Eastbound dust from his sunburned brow" was interesting. His grandfather must have been facing west to have gotten a sunburn and dust going east on his face. Is there any significance in that, perhaps? Peace. |
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| The Shins – Saint Simon Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Steve: hah.. You're right. I withdraw my earlier statement. Sorry! (like I posted earlier, it was late or something. I saw Pink Floyd and TMBG in the same sentence, and I asked myself, "What the hell?") Peace. |
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| Violent Femmes – American Music Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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acoustic SHOWs even My Username is getting to my head. |
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| Violent Femmes – American Music Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Great song. I've never heard the Femme's play it-- but my boyfriend's Band does a good cover every now and then on acoustic shoes when they're having a good time. Haha... It's fun. |
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| Violent Femmes – Blister in the Sun Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| You know what? It reminds me a very much of The Velvet Underground. | |
| Violent Femmes – Blister in the Sun Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Hey now, Octagon. Chill out. It's not anyone's fault that songs are overplayed on the radio. It's the Music Industry. How the hell could some of the artists that are popular today have become popular? Briteny Spears? Hillary Duff? Blink 182? etc. They have no true talent except showmanship. Playing the game. Hell, Beck is one of my favorites too. There's more substance to one of his songs than Spear's entire career. The "Fan" likes music that's on the radio. The radio will play whatever the industry will tell them to play, and the "Fan" will most likely enjoy it from right off the bat, or eventually accept it and enjoy it. The "Fan" has little to do with it. Buying the album, certainly, but why do they buy the album? There's one song on it that they like that was apparently overplayed on the radio. If you don't want to hear a song being "ruined," don't listen to the Radio. Don't watch music videos. Lord knows I won't. You can't tell me it's ONLY about the Little hands girl. It's not only about mastrubation, either. I see a song about the depressing weight of life. The stress of everything. The effect it has on the character. It's a good song. Violent Femmes play very organic music. Peace. |
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| Pete Yorn – June Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I think this is about time. I'll bring up more questions than I will determine what this song is about. "It's all right if I was older/it's okay to lose your age." In this figurative relationship, there must be a huge gap in the ages of the people. Guys are generally the older of the couple (Or maybe that's just my high school perception?), and girls often lie about their age, to make themselves younger than they really are. "If you hadn't gone tomorrow/you could have stayed on 'til June" What a curious line. Does he know that she'll leave? why will she leave? Something makes me think that it's a terminal illness. What's happening in June? Maybe it's an abortion. "I'm old enough to feel the way I do." What does he feel? Does he feel love? Does he feel hate? Ready? Old? Intelligent? What would make him too young to feel that way? "And you will stay/a mile away from me/if you know what's good for you." Why is it important that they stay away? I don't know, guys. I love the song for it's music and for the questions. I'm sure you could go to peteyorn.com or something cheesey and it will tell you the meaning according to Pete. But does he want you to know? Peace. |
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| Pete Yorn – Murray Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Those Wilsons were a bizarre bunch. Word on the street is Murray pretty much freaked out his kids-- they were susceptible to all that crazy mental instablity, anyway, just like a lot of incredible smart people are (Take "A Beautiful Mind" for example). This song is excellent. Take this line: "If seeing is believing/lord knows what he sees here every night." 1) it's important because it's repeated, like, a jogillon times. 2) think about it! What hallucinations are they susceptible to? Have you ever met someone who just seems to invent everything about their lives, they are illogical and impossible to reason with? "People change when truth's not part of their lives." I never knew it was in context of the Wilsons, which may detract from the line in my opinion, but it's still incredible. In that case, what man lives under his covers? BRIAN WILSON. *ding* (did you guys check out his album "Smile?" do it. you can listen to it a thousand times and NEVER hear everything that's going on musically.) "Lost his mind from the TV." Again, another excellent line, whether it's in context with the Wilsons or not. The story is, that Brian Wilson saw preformance of Jimi Hendrix on the television, and Hendrix freaked out and yelled, "YOU'LL NEVER HEAR ANOTHER BEACH TUNE AGAIN!" Brian was working on Smile at the time (a LONG time ago), and he threw away all of the recordings he had done so far. As far as Murray having lost his mind from the TV, he pushed his kids to be perfect. This isn't like your regular, well-wishing dad. Nothing was ever good enough-- he beat on them, etc. To say that he was a "real asshole" is a huge understatement ("playing god?"). So he MADE them produce singles that were popular country-wide, so they were on Television and whatnot. He "lost his mind from the TV." Great song, Pete. Peace |
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| Eels – That's Not Really Funny Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| bravo, cousin. | |
| Eels – Woman Driving, Man Sleeping Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I always figured that man was in the car with woman, but they never do mention WHERE he is, so Pheine may be on to something. Is he sleeping in the apartment house, or is his dream in an apartment? I thought the latter. The punctuation doesn't make anything any more clear. The music may be a large part of the song, according to the way I'm leaning. Being awake vs. subconsiousness. When it goes into the Man Dreaming chorus, the music becomes much "happier" (for lack of a better word). Compare to the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields," which has a similar theme to it, i.e. reality vs. not. What's the importance of dreaming of knocking on doors in an apartment building? Well, the woman's perception is that there's NOTHING, NO ONE, around. Just their car, forever rolling away into nowhere. In an apartment house, there's all kinds of people stacked right on top of each other, and apartment houses are usually in suburbs, cities-- highly populated areas. In our own subconsious, we're comfortable. We don't need to live out of a suitcase. We don't need a map because we know where we are and where we're going. We aren't limited to looking forward in our minds. We aren't (or shouldn't be) afraid of our pasts. Perhaps Pheine's thoughts and mine are interchangeable. Maybe Woman did leave Man in his apartment and he doesn't know why. It's rather vauge, and maybe I'm trying to pull too much out of it. one of my favorites on Souljacker. Peace. |
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| Eels – Jungle Telegraph Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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This song is ridiulously fantastic. That's the best way to put it... Great beat, funny, the whole bit. The most fun on Souljacker. |
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| Eels – Hospital Food Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I doubt this song is mainly about Mr. E's bad experience with hospital food. Try being cracked in the face by a couple of street thugs. He writes about that an awful lot-- Jungle Telegraph, Bus Stop Boxer.. eels are kickin'. |
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| R.E.M. – Be Mine Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I don't see why, Psilocy. I honestly think this is just a very moving love song. Isn't lotus one of those magical/myth things in the old timey greek religions? Peyote is the same sort of thing to Indians (Well, it IS a hallucinogen...). The last stanza is pretty much just saying, "I'll be all those things you worship." Like you said, it's obvious... I don't see anything more to it. Correct me if I'm wrong. Peace out. |
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| Ben Folds Five – Battle of Who Could Care Less Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Hah-- I failed to realize that "The Cure" was a band. *sheepish* Peace. (Really! these guys should have written oogles of music like REM did. Is still writing.) |
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| Ben Folds Five – Kate Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| If anyone is curious, Bhagavad Gita is a holy book of the Hindus. | |
| Pink Floyd – Dogs Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Reminds me very much of Radiohead's "Knives Out." Refer to my post under "Knives Out," (If you're not too lazy. If you are, that's all right.) because it has some relavence, I believe. Peace. |
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| Radiohead – Knives Out Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Hm. Those of you that are taking this to be about cannablism and animal's rights are taking it too literally for my liking. (A tribute to the Smiths? Radiohead is a little too self-centered as a band, in my opinion, to tribute anyone.) One of the closest interpretations to mine was the second one-- "kill what you can't understand." Humans think they're so sophisiticated, intelligent, elite in the (animal) world. Images of animals are used in this song to emphasize the sense of dominance and inferiority (very much like Pink Floyd's "Animals" album). The first several stanzas demonstrate a sense of immense power held by the narrator. The narrator talks down to those weaker-- physically, mentally. "Be happy you're alive. If we weren't humane, you'd be dead." "Still there's no point in letting it go to waste," It's no big deal. Since we've caused this death, we might as well use it to our advantage. Warmongering comes to mind. Is this song a political statement? Probably. Radiohead does a lot of that. In the end, it comes down to the fear. The powerful fear the weak ("kill what you don't understand"), so they use domination. The weak fear their lives of the powerful. Radiohead gives me the creeps. Peace. |
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| Radiohead – Karma Police Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Very respectable interpretation, nephos. The only thought I have to add is to the video. The man being chased lights the car on fire, is that not interveining with Karma? He lit the match, he intended to light the car. Is that real karma as nephos stated? Again, it comes to the lines, "This is what you get/when you mess with us." Which, as nephos said, "Karma is not vengeful... That is not karma." |
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| The Velvet Underground – I'm Sticking with You Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Mo Tucker, you make me smile. Who needs a highet? |
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| The Velvet Underground – Run Run Run Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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One of my favorite VU's. "Gypsy Death and you," that line sends chills down my spine. |
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| The Shins – Saint Simon Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Steve, man. They Might Be Giants didn't write this song... they didn't use the term mock debate in any song at all (If they did, I don't know about it). As for a cross between Pink Floyd and TMBG... Sounds like the closest you're going to get is Weird Al. The Shins won't fit in there at all. Spamwell-- excellent interpretation. (It reminds me very much of an interpretation my boyfriend would give, but your grammar is better. You must be from somewhere besides the States. *wink*) My interpretation of this song is entirely Spam's, but replace communism with chrisitan religion. They use a lot of religous imagery; in this song-- saints, candles, Mercy impersonated as a woman, etc. Lord. I'd talk more, but it's too effing late at night and cold in this flipping house... I swear to god, it can't be any warmer than 55 degrees right here... Peace. |
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| The Shins – The Celibate Life Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Sex and drug use. Dunno, douche. I wasn't overly impressed with this one. |
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| The Shins – One By One All Day Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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How very curious the last stanza is. The speaker would prefer life in the hands of the gentle child-- God. Or perhaps the speaker wishes God could be more like a human child, as described earlier in the song. |
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| The Shins – Young Pilgrims Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Catch-22 meets Coldplay's "High Speed" in the Shin's dining room and they're discussing the bible. | |
| The Shins – Know Your Onion! Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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All right. I'm back-- a couple weeks later. Beatles Influence: Anyway, Beatles pretty much influenced Rock music as a whole. You can trace influences in bands. Say, Blink 182 was influenced by Nirvana. Nirvana was influenced by so-and-so who was influenced by this and that, and that guy-- but the Beatles was a HUGE phenomenon. They'll end up in the line of influences somewhere. Their music is going to be the Mozart of our time. It's going to be considered "classical," if you know what I mean. Mozart defined his time, and the Beatles define ours. I'm not saying that the Beatles get all the credit, mind you. Interpretations: So the first few stanzas are about being an angsty, misunderstood teenager. It goes on to say that the narrator thinks/knows that he's worthless. Now, the whole "parking cars on your chest" stanza is slightly baffling to me. I imagine it's supposed to be as if the narrator is going through hard times (i.e. the resposniblity of an adult. Work and so on) (first line), but he still has hope for the future (second line). Weaknesses as a human are bound to happen (third), and that makes it even more difficult. This line almost looks like a refrence to sexual activity, no? The last stanza is realtive to the line "... struggles to take flight." The need to escape. Start over. The last three lines in the song are sort of odd. They're contradictory. Sarcastic, maybe? Now, dice have several sides, so they'll change their face when shaken up. Thoughts/dissertations: The Shins use of saints always seems to be in a sarcastic context. I'm not sure how to take their lyrical content on religion, like Pilgrims. I'd have to put some more thought into it. The phrase "I don't know" and childhood is an easy one. The Shins have a lot of material that compare idealistic to reality. Generally, the subjects of Shins' work are at a loss or confused, etc. (hope that makes sense.. I'll bet someone that knows more about the Shins is going to come a long and stomp me into the ground. I'm just winging all of this stuff. Don't take 100% of my word.) Ack. I'll be glad to discuss more if anyone's got anymore ideas/arguments. Peace. |
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| Coldplay – Parachutes Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Short songs are great. (i.e. Dick Holster by Ben Folds Five. *Ahem* Download it. It's 28 seconds.) This song pretty much sums up all of Coldplay's work. "I love you and I only need 10 more words to prove it." |
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| Wilco – Via Chicago Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Wilco certainly uses stars a lot. California Stars. Silvery Stars in Radio Cure. Right about Stars in Jesus, etc. Beautiful. |
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| Wilco – Summer Teeth Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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He hits snooze twice before he dies I like how the character doesn't wake up... he dies. Wilco has a funny thing with words. "Why the hell is this named summer teeth?" Beats me. Some are teeth. like She's a jar. Ajar. hah. |
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| Wilco – Radio Cure Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Robert Frost wrote a poem about Apple Picking. His was about fast approaching death and what he regrets having done with his life. (And the last line has refrence to a woodchuck... ridiculous Mr. Frost.) Listening to Wilco is like looking at surreal paintings or reading James Joyce or something. I'm lovin' it. |
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| Wilco – She's A Jar Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| The last line gives me the chills. It changes the entire sentiment of the song. | |
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