submissions
| The Postal Service – We Will Become Silhouettes Lyrics
| 21 years ago
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Good observation, U235. Allow me to clarify myself a bit. I think the lyrics do resemble a man trapped in a bomb shelter, with radiation outside. However, when "news reports" are mentioned, it suggests there wasn't a nuclear war. It reminds me more of watching the evening news with all the warnings about killer this and killer that--such as the air making you explode (seems a bit hyperbole here, again like overblown sensational news). But that's really just my interpretation. You could be right. |
submissions
| The Postal Service – The District Sleeps Alone Tonight Lyrics
| 21 years ago
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I think the few people who actually ventured their thoughts on meaning forgot about the title line: district (washington d.c.) sleeps alone tonight. He's sleeping alone, because he and his ex are broken up. It's not just a friend who has new friends, it's an ex girlfriend. She has a new life--friends, apartment. He still has her door key, but has to pretend that they don't mean anything to each other anymore, at whatever formal party/venue they're at that requires nametags. He wishes now he hadn't left her, (he was the one worth leaving) because he's going to drive home drunk, depressed, and alone. Sad song. |
submissions
| The Postal Service – We Will Become Silhouettes Lyrics
| 21 years ago
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I'm not so sure, as all of you seem to be, about the "nuclear holocaust" idea. This song could simply be interpreted as classic carpe diem. He's shuttered himself inside, with pictures of his someone and enough to get by. He'd go outside and feel "something constant under" his feet, but there are so many saftey warnings about what kills you. But when this is all over, we'll all just be gone anyway. So staying inside is just lonely. |
submissions
| Yes – I've Seen All Good People: Your Move/All Good People Lyrics
| 21 years ago
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It would be hard to deny the chess metaphor. The song mentions queens and squares, sometimes of white and black color, as well as "capture." It's unlikely these would all appear repeatedly in a song as a coincidence. From a chess perspective then, the lines "Don't surround yourself with yourself / Move on back two squares" could be referring to the king. In a special chess move, the king can move two squares, switching sides with the rook, which effectively makes the king isolated in the corner (by itself). The song seems to be warning the king (or boss, leader, whoever) against this. The vocals seem to come from the bishop (only moves on black squares), as someone already mentioned. He's telling the king or player to use him as he'd wish, but keep in mind that his purpose is to capture all he can, or get as much out of life, etc. Seems to be a song directed at those in charge. |
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