| My Brightest Diamond – If I Were Queen Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| Well, she became Queen, and look what happened. Less of the doughnuts and tea, more of the ruining Margaret and William's lives. So it goes. | |
| Man Man – Young Einstein on the Beach Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| This song sounds like it is entirely composed of Kenny's bit from the South park theme, screamed repeatedly. Mental. | |
| Cold War Kids – Something Is Not Right with Me Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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it's like jacobstorm said, the song is about someone who doesn't fit in with the cool kids & hipsters. I think it's a pretty straightforward meaning really. About the superficiality and fickleness of the social scene, people concerned with knowing who's dating whom and following every new fad, everyone afraid to stand out from the crowd (spineless) or have any quirks. This guy is trying to keep up and be accepted by this crowd (maybe a girl in particular) but Doing It Wrong. He chooses a cheesy song on the jukebox, buys a car he thinks will be impressive and retro but just splutters and dies, uses an embarrassingly old skool method of communication (payphone). All his attempts get him ridiculed. I think he recognises the futility of it all & is glad he's not affected by shallow concerns even if that makes him uncool. I like how this little song is so uptempo and humorous, it makes me smile. I've always seen CWK as a very down-to-earth band too, quite old fashioned in a way, so maybe it could be applied to them generally favouring substance over style and not trying to be something they're not. |
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| Cold War Kids – Relief Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Clearly written from a God's-eye point of view. Not sure how I feel about this one ... the idea of a supposedly benevolent god striking people down with disasters just to amuse himself is odd, but I guess God-fearing types do live in fear of that sort of thing happening. I'm not religious at all so to me the idea is an interesting one & I like the audacity of the lyrics, and it's one of my favourite songs on this album because I just love the fuzzy electric sound. Then I thought it could be about the hypocrisy of people who aren't religious in their daily lives, never pray, rarely go to church, probably don't live their life by the usual rules, yet when it's convenient for them, suddenly they have faith - the "Oh my, thank you for keeping me safe" line (& entire verse) being an example. You know, if someone they loved was in trouble they'd pray for them. If they got spared in this disaster it must be due to God favouring them. Etc. A sort of "Believe in me now, do ya?" from God to them. Maybe. |
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| The Decemberists – Odalisque Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| This was exactly the impression I got, although some lines confuse me still. Perhaps the 'lazy lady' bit is mocking the Jewish slave-woman, perhaps the baby girl is the result of being raped by the guard at the concentration camp or something, if we go with this story? But I definitely got the impression of the baby shoes, marbles and billiard cue being the personal belongings they stole from the prisoners just because they could, things with sentimental value. The tone of the "and what do we do with these?" seems to sum up the attitudes they had/developed, just toying with desperate people for amusement and power. Makes me think of when I read 'Sophie's Choice' and upon entrance to the camp, the guard leered at Sophie and forced her to choose which of her small children she wanted to keep and which they would kill (um, spoilers, sorry). And 'come to find you' = being discovered as a Jew and taken to the camp in the first place. So I agree with you, and by coincidence you posted this on my birthday :) | |
| Modest Mouse – Cowboy Dan Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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This makes so much sense. It explains the 'HE didn't move to the city, the city moved to ME' - he's describing himself in third-person for most of it but gets so angry and caught up in his rant by this point that he forgets himself and it switches to first-person, giving himself away. Thanks for the insight! Or on second thoughts, perhaps it is an outsider observing 'Cowboy Dan' but kind-of projecting his own frustrations onto him? Hence the shift in perspective, and adding to the universality of it. He starts off talking scornfully about CD but realises he's not much better? Hmm, not sure. |
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| Modest Mouse – 3rd Planet Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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OK, I've only read the first few pages of comments, but it's all food for thought. I wasn't surprised to see this song had 259 posts about it... I don't even know where to start... it says so much withiin a 4-minute song. I wish I had that talent for summing things up concisely. Anyway some thoughts that have probably already been voiced by various people at various times ... I think there are bits of so many subjects in this song (life/creation, religion, the natural world, etc) that most of the ideas people have in this thread are at least partly right, and that's kind of the point - the interconnectedness of everything (and as has been said, the cyclical nature of life). The kind of 'truths' you realise in hallucinations through drugs or fever dreams or spiritual experiences or whatever. Not really easy at all to put in words, though Mr Mouse has done a fine job. Agreed with those who said 'baby-cum-angels' means 'babies/angels' not sperm (ha), but I think there is a clever double meaning here; my interpretation of this part of the song was a couple had just had sex (presumably conceiving a child but the 'third [that] had just been made' doesn't have to refer to a third person, could just mean something that was started/created, a relationship or whatever) and in that context , well, 'cum' could become a baby. Don't think that's the main intention but it adds a nice further dimension. Also, sex (with or without conception) is one of those experiences that can blow your mind and get you thinking about the bigger issues (the things that start occurring to him whilst in postcoital bliss), again how it's all connected. It doesn't have to be about that though - could be way more metaphorical. I also had images of cherubs when I heard the line 'baby-cum-angels', and never thought of the possibility of this being about the death of a child. In the 'universe is shaped exactly like the earth; if you go straight long enough you'll end up where you were' I thought of the lines from Wilful Suspension of Disbelief - 'if you keep digging down and down,a thousand graves down, without turning round or finding hell you'll find you're digging up again'. Same principle. The atheistic viewpoint, that there is no 'eye in the sky' you'll eventually meet. Yes, the idea that everything that goes around comes around back to the start again (someone linked it to 'where do circles begin?') but the main thing I always think about that line is that to most people 'the universe' basically equates to 'the earth' - the place *they* live - they're not bothered about what else might exist outside their little sphere of life. Self absorbed I guess. This could be the 'blind spots' the boss is determined to find - things you've been missing out on. I'm not sure about the 'dripping pitch and made of wood' section so it's interesting to read people's ideas about that. The song is about microcosms/macrocosms, the vastness of everything, the mysteries of life... sums up the whole of the Moon & Antarctica album in a nutshell really. Awesome in every sense of the word. |
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| The National – Mistaken for Strangers Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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The feathery woman lyric was one of the Boxer lyrics discussed by Matt in this interview: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/09/matt-berninger-of-the-national-explains-boxer-lyri.html "There are lots of moments on the record about friends disappearing and losing friends and stuff like that. That line alludes to the idea of someone’s spirit being taken wherever it goes after death. I’m not actually very religious, but it’s a metaphor—being taken to heaven by an angel. But it’s not so much about the spirit as it is about having seen something unbelievable, and the need to tell someone that there are things out there that are amazing, ‘I’ve seen something I need to tell you about.’ I think that’s what that’s about. A lot of the lyrics I write involve images that just swing the song in a way that feels really good to me and there isn’t a literal explanation. They’re not riddles for the listener to solve." I definitely got the sense of loss (of innocence, friends, youth etc) throughout Boxer. I also get the impression of the narrator of the song having grown up and perhaps in a dull 'unmagnificent' job/lifestyle, in the city, feeling anonymous and not even acknowledged by old friends. Maybe stuff has lost meaning so he wants to 'make up something to believe in' but it's all vague and implausible anyway. I think he's quite ambivalent about whether he enjoys the anonymity or regrets it. Bit of both. But then loads of you have discussed these things already, don't think I'm adding anything new. |
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| The National – The Geese of Beverly Road Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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neamsing - I thought the same about the cake, because it fits in with the theme of the entire song. Then I thought of the similarity to 'having your cake and eating it too' - just wanting it both ways, wanting everything to go your way, believing it *should* ... which just emphasises it even more. As for the 'Serve me the sky with a big slice of lemon'? I always assumed that was just referring to slices of lemon (or other citrus fruit) in cocktails, wine or any old drink (but as this is The National, it's probably an alcoholic one), but he wants the whole sky, everything, feeling like he can take on the world. Also the big slice of lemon could be how the moon sometimes looks in the night sky, when it has that yellowish tinge and appears larger than it is. I also love the title of this song, because it sounds like a children's book. Like The Animals of Farthing Wood, or The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. Just makes me smile! Glad to hear I'm not the only one who gets a bit teary when I hear this - it's a completely involuntary reaction, song just gives me the shivers! |
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| The National – Cardinal Song Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| I didn't realise there was a bird called a cardinal when I first heard this. I thought of the religious association of the word - Cardinals of the catholic church; cardinal sin, etc. I assumed cardinal lies (not eyes?) were similar to that, and he had basically betrayed all his principles. Also thought the "Jesus Christ..." bit at the end fit this theory; maybe he was once a religious man with morals but got confused or disillusioned by the whole thing and went off the rails a bit. There's also a lot of stuff about forgiveness. I get the feeling *he's* the one on the metaphorical deathbed and wants to try and absolve himself somehow. | |
| The National – City Middle Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| very stream-of-consciousness lyrics, I get the picture of someone who just wants to go out and numb themselves on alcohol or whatever and turn their brain off, but for whatever reason it's one of those nights when things just don't happen, 'click', and he ends up thinking about stuff even more than before, but in drunken random snippets like the odd memories. I've never heard of the phrase 'go gator' either so I can't offer anything. I adore the 'la da de da da da' chorus at the end; it's so spooky, and yet has this kind of monotonous feeling (compare to one of their other 'la de da' lines in 'Racing like a Pro') that they convey so well in their songs. Wanting to rise above the mundane, or at least escape it for a while, not succeeding very well. I guess that part is also reminiscent of drunken wordless slurring or just lack of inspiration (not on The National's part! just of the narrator, can't even be bothered to try and string a sentence together any more so just hums along). Meh, I'm rambling. Love the song anyway, very melancholy. | |
| The National – Green Gloves Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| frankie47 - you took the words right out of my mouth! Except the alcohol bit ... not actually sure the narrator is the one drinking here. Maybe he doesn't fit in with his friends any more *because* they're always out partying and he feels he's outgrown that and by extension them & is nostalgic for how things used to be? I think the 'take another sip of them' is just indulging in memories, or maybe even imagining them having a great time and wallowing in self pity? I always thought green gloves were about envy for sure. | |
| Interpol – The Scale Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| Oh, and I assumed they called it 'Scale' because of the tune of the guitar hook going up and down, but I'm sure there are all sorts of other associations too. Maybe do to with justice, as in 'that's all and that's right'. | |
| Interpol – The Scale Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I can see the abortion angle but personally it never occurred to me when I heard the song. When I heard the lines about 'clouds of fire' and 'molten sky' I immediately thought of nuclear war or terrorist attacks by religious fundamentalists. I thought it could be from the perspective of one of these people, possibly an internal dialogue with his God, as if he's convinced that he's doing his bidding and acting for the best ("my son, you sleep in clouds of fire ... that's all, and that's right."). Thinking in quite black and white terms. Proud of being chosen by this god to be 'taken back'. Maybe this is tenuous, no one else seems to have seen this slant even if they picked up the god/my son bit. To be honest, I have no idea how lots of the other lyrics fit into this or what they could mean. The sequin for an eye is bizarre, I can't interpret that but I'm interested in what reofme3 said about coins on eyes of the dead - must be to do with that somehow? More death imagery then. There are so many interpretations to Paul's lyrics, they leave so much to the imagination. I love the line "That's all and that's right" on its own as well, for some reason. Just very succinct and conclusive. |
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| Interpol – Obstacle 2 Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| no idea where those random / signs came from, I didn\'t put them in, sorry :-| | |
| Interpol – Obstacle 2 Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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\"because friends don\'t waste wine when there\'s words to sell\" - that line jumped out at me when I first heard the song, I imagine it referring to friends ploughing through bottles of wine and just catting for hours, about anything and everything. Pretty much what paradigmshift said above, really. That\'s what it meant to me. It isn\'t my favourite Interpol song, but there\'s definitely something about it. It\'s got a kind of urgent tone, as does the other \'obstacle\'-titled song. oh yeah I\'m gonna see them live in 2 weeks also :) tis my birthday present, cannot wait |
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| Bright Eyes – Hit the Switch Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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It just makes a hell of a lot of sense. It sums up the feeling I get when I go out with friends, with the aim of having fun and a few drinks, but for whatever reason just don\'t get into it and maybe feel left out, so end up drinking more and more to try and escape the feeling, and you can be sitting there surrounded by them trying to convince yourself you\'re having a good time but feel absolutely alone. That was a long sentence. Anyway, I agreed that the \'goddamn hypocrite\' bit was about him feeling hypocritical for praying in the first place to a god he doesn\'t believe in ... \'god-damn\' ... but it could work either way. To me it just embodies the sense of dissatisfaction with life, a \'grass is always greener\' type of viewpoint and the selfishness/taking for granted that can come with that, such as the \'I\'ll call you eventually when I want to talk, til then you\'re invisible\' and \'she\'s under no obligation to indulge every whim\'. I think we\'ve all known people like that who take advantage, whether they mean to or not. But I can also relate to the just wanting a break to refresh my mind. I\'m not positive about the ending, it seems a bit of a sudden \'realisation\' and though it sounds positive, it seems to me like that outlook is only there til the next time you\'re lonely and want a drink. Either way I love the song, it\'s definitely one of my favourites on the album. |
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| Bright Eyes – Hit the Switch Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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It just makes a hell of a lot of sense. It sums up the feeling I get when I go out with friends, with the aim of having fun and a few drinks, but for whatever reason just don\'t get into it and maybe feel left out, so end up drinking more and more to try and escape the feeling, and you can be sitting there surrounded by them trying to convince yourself you\'re having a good time but feel absolutely alone. That was a long sentence. Anyway, I agreed that the \'goddamn hypocrite\' bit was about him feeling hypocritical for praying in the first place to a god he doesn\'t believe in ... \'god-damn\' ... but it could work either way. To me it just embodies the sense of dissatisfaction with life, a \'grass is always greener\' type of viewpoint and the selfishness/taking for granted that can come with that, such as the \'I\'ll call you eventually when I want to talk, til then you\'re invisible\' and \'she\'s under no obligation to indulge every whim\'. I think we\'ve all known people like that who take advantage, whether they mean to or not. But I can also relate to the just wanting a break to refresh my mind. I\'m not positive about the ending, it seems a bit of a sudden \'realisation\' and though it sounds positive, it seems to me like that outlook is only there til the next time you\'re lonely and want a drink. Either way I love the song, it\'s definitely one of my favourites on the album. |
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