| Weezer – Represent Lyrics | 15 years ago |
|
Is that also why you butchered the spelling of allowed? But yes, this was written as an anthem of sorts for the US Men's National Team just prior to the 2010 World Cup. Now when I hear the bridge in this song, I just think of Landon Donovan's stoppage time winner against Algeria. Greatest sports moment I've ever witnessed. |
|
| Them Crooked Vultures – Gunman Lyrics | 16 years ago |
|
I can't help but notice so many animals named in this song, but I can't figure out the significance. Lions, ants, dog, tiger, sheep, slugs (but maybe slugs as in bullets?). Also interesting that the gunman is his "hero" and "savior" while being a "psycho" and "slayer." I'd like to hear a more detailed explanation of what SpunkySkunk was getting at, because to be honest, I'm lost. I don't understand this song. |
|
| Them Crooked Vultures – Warsaw Or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up Lyrics | 16 years ago |
|
I think this song is about an insecure teenage boy ("out of place or ignored") losing his virginity. The lyrics even spell "come" as "cum." A "cotillion of friction" seems to point toward having sex for the first time as well. The character in the song thinks that once he has sex, he'll have more and more until he's "had enough," but as of now he's "had none." He keeps trying to convince someone to fuck him ("go on and give it a try"), and finally at the very end of the song seems to do so. "The long arm of important things" must be his dick. |
|
| Them Crooked Vultures – Interlude with Ludes Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| eatyourwheaties, I LOVE that explanation. | |
| Them Crooked Vultures – Reptiles Lyrics | 16 years ago |
|
It seems to me to be about a circus, which is compared to a funeral, interestingly. It's from the point of view of one of the animals (a lion? I'm thinking one of the animals not mentioned in the song) and how they just want to be free. The line that really jumps out at me is begging the foreign tourist to help them escape, and the disgust that the tourist is enamored by the show. "Trained by consequence and the lash" also seems to point toward animals doing tricks. "Under the lights..." is another line that seems to point toward animals doing tricks. The "liar" whose "kisses will burn" is the animal trainer, who gives them treats and pets them, then whips them. "Their praise is a poison to us all" is about how if the "foreign tourists" weren't paying to attend and applauding the acts, the animals wouldn't be slave performers. "I wish someone would burn this place to the ground" is fairly self-explanatory. Destroy the circus. Some lines I don't understand, though. Like, why is this character jealous of the reptiles? Are the reptiles humans? "See them reptiles crawl? Getting closer... Why won't someone come to drive them away?" |
|
| Rivers Cuomo – This is the Way Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| I despise this song, the only song on Alone I don't like. I can't believe it almost made it onto The Red Album, and over Dreamin'. | |
| Weezer – Can't Stop Partying (feat. Lil Wayne) Lyrics | 16 years ago |
|
When I first heard this song, it was on the Not Alone album. I thought it WAS some kind of joke. But hearing the album version, it sounds like Weezer/Rivers is actually serious. They're trying to have a club hit. This is such a vast departure from The Red Album. There, it was like Weezer (and Rivers in particular) had finally stopped giving a damn what people thought and just did their own thing, and it made for a fantastic album. Raditude is more in line with The Green Album; it is targeted directly at the mainstream. This song is Exhibit A. Weezer with a club hit. I could have never even imagined that possibility before. |
|
| Rage Against the Machine – Bulls on Parade Lyrics | 16 years ago |
|
I think it has more to do with what military governments (in particular, the United States) focus on. Instead of trying to feed, shelter, clothe, and support the general needs of their people, they use tax dollars to make weapons. Doesn't necessarily have to do with capitalism. North Korea, for example, is communist, but fits this description as well. |
|
| Propagandhi – Fuck Machine Lyrics | 16 years ago |
|
That line you quoted is telling women to actually treat themselves as human beings and not objects. Don't allow themselves to be treated as objects. And, in turn, men should not allow the media to decide for them ("conditioned attraction") who is desirable. "humour, opinion, a sense of compassion, creativity and a distaste for fashion" is what he looks for in a woman, and he seems to be trying to remind himself of that at the end of the song. I'm not sure what's so wrong about a song imploring women to respect themselves and for men to not let outside forces influence who they are attracted to. |
|
| Weezer – Everybody Get Dangerous Lyrics | 17 years ago |
|
It's not about society. It's a personal song about how he and his friends did stupid shit when they were kids. They called it "getting dangerous." Here's a link to a very interesting explanation by one of Rivers' childhood friends: http://web.mac.com/adamorth/adam_orth/words./Entries/2008/6/3_we_should_have_died_a_long_time_ago..html Expands on much of the lyrics of the song, especially the line: "Throw the keys and the wheel locked up I almost killed every one us" |
|
| Rise Against – Re-Education (Through Labor) Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| Anticrombie: "small minority?" The Man is the minority, the workers are the overwhelming majority. | |
| Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight Lyrics | 17 years ago |
|
The Jesus and military interpretations are highly unlikely given the fact that Eagle Eye Cherry is Swedish, and Sweden is both very secular and anti-war. But hey, there are variations within cultures, so you never know... The lyrics are pretty literal, methinks. About a dude who has to leave, and his girl who has to stay. |
|
| OutKast – Toilet Tisha Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| More than contemplating. This song is obviously a reflection of the girl after she already killed herself. | |
| Bad Astronaut – Greg's Estate Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
This song is INTENSE! It's definitely about his father who molested him and killed his mother. But I don't see it as his father just died... Greg killed him while high on some kind of drug(s), as shown in the line "your bloodline severed by the chemicals in mine." The end, when the music hits hard, makes me think of Greg having just killed his father, standing over him, bloody knife in his hand, and saying "I got mine" (his revenge, that is). The increasing tempo of the music coincides with Greg's insanity, and when the music hits full blast, I picture Greg standing over his father, SCREAMING "I GOT MINE!", pulling out his hair, etc. etc. As I said, intense. |
|
| Guster – G Major Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Yep, clearly anti-war. I also like how Guster, who in other songs seems to show themselves as religious, chastise the use of the Bible to rationalize imperialism/war. "History is cyclical, crusaders and the biblical" Reference to the Crusades, of course, and comparing that to nowadays with the West once again thumping their Bibles and strutting their armies in the Middle East. | |
| Guster – Manifest Destiny/Sorority Tears Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
"Manifest destiny" isn't just the historical term for westward expansion. It's the term that the politicians of the time used to justify taking over the Native American and Spanish lands. They believed (or publicly stated, anyway) that it was God's will for the United States to expand from Atlantic to Pacific. I like the point ejb3939 made about the symbol of Islam. I'll try to decipher the metaphor. The sun is the United States. The sun is the most powerful object in our solar system, and the United States is the most powerful nation right now. The sun (aka the US) abuses its power and bullies the moon and stars (Middle East countries), who are now rebelling. I could be wrong, but hey, I tried. The last part is obviously about bombs dropping, buildings falling, etc. |
|
| Dead Prez – Animal In Man Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
It's definitely based on Orwell's "Animal Farm." The names are changed: Mr. Jones becomes Old Man Sammy (both are common names), Napoleon becomes Hannibal (both great historical conquerors). I think while the song doesn't echo the anti-communist tones of the book, it highlights the fact that those in power will try to attain more and more power. It's the animal inside of us that wants dominance. I don't think this has anything to with American slavery. The oppressed (animals) eventually become the oppressors, the same as their previous masters. I don't think Dead Prez would want to liken themselves to slave owners. |
|
| Bad Religion – Two Babies in the Dark Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
I love this song. The way I see it is from the viewpoint of a soldier. He's basically begging his pregnant wife and (more so) his daughter to get him away from the hellish life of war and back home with his family. "Papa's far away making up children's stories": He's off fighting a war that future generations will read about in history books. "She's trying to be brave until the daddy comes home": Little girl scared because her father has been away for a long time. The last part is a hopeless plea to his daughter, saying if she could only get him out of there, he would read her to sleep, sing her lullabyes, teach her as much as he possibly can. |
|
| Bad Religion – Chimaera Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| It's definitely about God. It's also about the destruction brought upon the world by humans, dubbed "monsters." To be more specific, he's asking why God would allow humans to be so destructive. The last line is fantastic, a very clever way of expressing his wonder of whether or not God really exists. | |
| Umbrellas – The City Lights Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
Maybe I'm totally off base, because I don't see this as a relationship song at all. What I picture is a band (in particular, a lead singer) who is having trouble becoming known. He's "pushed away the dreams" of making it big. The second verse seems like reassurance to himself, like he's talking to himself, saying that he just needs patience and that the audience will love him eventually. As someone mentioned before, "break a leg" is a way of saying "good luck" to entertainers. When he says "Go entertain them, they're waiting for you" he's talking about the audience. The chorus explains how he feels while performing. The high of playing in front of audience. "I wish you were here" is perhaps his disappointment over the size of the crowd. |
|
| Bob Dylan – Mr. Bojangles Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| I actually see it as an uplifting song. Despite all of his hardships, Mr. Bojangles is loved by those he comes into contact with and has an uncanny ability to brighten everyone's day. He doesn't use society's expectations as a measurement for success, without a care for money or material possessions. All that matters is laughter and friendship. His love for others is highlighted by how he still grieves for his dog 20 years later. He has a big heart. Seems like one of those people who finds the best in everyone. He's what all of us should strive to be. | |
| Simon and Garfunkel – I Am A Rock Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
This song is me. I fell in love 4 years ago and just a few months later she broke my heart. I've shut out every girl since then, regardless of how good the date(s) were. Interestingly, that girl has come back into my life recently, but I can't even let her through my stone shell anymore. Simon has his books and poetry. I have my movies and prizefights to watch. Perhaps I'll snap out of it someday. |
|
| Bad Religion – Infected Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| It's definitely about a physically abusive relationship. "I love to strike you" is a dead giveaway. And when he goes to apologize (other people already touched on this), he blames her. "Here's my confession: you learned your lesson." | |
| Propagandhi – A Speculative Fiction Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
""the 49th parallel" - the division between Alaska (the 50th state) and the continental US" The 49th parallel is the line of latitude that separates the US and Canada from the Pacific Ocean to the Great Lakes. "the battle of 1812 lives in our hearts." I love that line. The War of 1812 is when Canada (then under British rule) burned down the White House. |
|
| Propagandhi – Bringer of Greater Things Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
pmdkh is correct "Our handshake crushing bone" refers to all the promises that have been made and broken. "The blankets that keep you warm, we've soiled with disease" refers to when the settlers gave the Native Americans blankets infected with smallpox. |
|
| Bright Eyes – We Are Free Men Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
I also think it has to do with someone he knew who committed suicide. He even mentions the method, hanging. I also get the sense that this girl was a fuck buddy, or maybe someone he did drugs with, and he can't figure out why he's so upset about her suicide. "If it's really all just physical then my memory's immaterial, so why then do I remember you at all?" I love that line about embracing the ephemeral. |
|
| Jack's Mannequin – Holiday From Real Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
It definitely seems like coke to me. Coke is a major appetite suppressant, so it makes sense for his friend to worry about him getting too thin from doing too much blow. An eighth of coke is a pretty common amount to buy. It's so common that it has its own term, 8-ball. "Scoring an eighth" as others have said can be getting 1/8 oz of drugs of any kind. Based on his physical description right before saying that, there's reason to believe it's coke or meth. As for people believing he'd be "too smart" or whatever to be doing hard drugs... come on. That's ridiculous. He talks about frying his brain (LSD) in this very song... |
|
| Kind of Like Spitting – Out Of Harms Way, Finally Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
Can't believe no one's commented on this one. Great song. I love the last part especially, starting with "Afraid you might have missed her call..." I think he says "She hated AT her balcony" not "THAT her balcony." |
|
| Weezer – Across The Sea Lyrics | 19 years ago |
|
"At 10 I shaved my head and tried to be a monk I thought the older women would like me if I did You see, ma, I'm a good little boy It's all your fault, momma, it's all your fault" Most of the song is self-explanitory, but this one isn't so much. To me, he's saying he never got attention (or enough attention) from his mom, which is what fuels his need for female contact and love. Deprived of love as a kid, needing love as an adult. |
|
| Elliott Smith – Cupid's Trick Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Sounds very sexual to me. I am no expert on his music (I only own 2 of his CDs), but it's the most upbeat, rocking song I've heard of his. This song almost seems like bragging, like a sense of accomplishment of being able to pleasure a woman. | |
| Elliott Smith – Rose Parade Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Seems to me that this song is more observational than the introspective work he typically did. He can't help but let his low self-esteem slip out at the end, but for the most part he's just remarking about how ridiculous parades are. | |
| Elliott Smith – Speed Trials Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Yep, obviously about drug use. Talking about meeting (his drug dealer) in a secretive place, the same place they always meet. Talking about disregarding the advice of his friends and family, the people he considers himself to be above, to get help. Talking about how the typical forms of entertainment, such as TV ("the socket's not a shock enough"), doesn't match the thrill of speed. | |
| Bad Religion – The Answer Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| wrinkledPhole nailed it. To add to that, the song is saying to not blindly follow "experts," don't be a sheep. Think for yourself. | |
| Bad Religion – Atomic Garden Lyrics | 20 years ago |
|
This song seems to be written from the perspective of a high ranking official in US government during the later years of the Cold War. That bit about hippies on an angry [picket] line not getting his meaning gives me an image of someone looking outside of their government building (White House or whatever) and seeing a protest taking place against nuclear weapons. Making the gardening stop seems to imply that he's sick of growing the bombs, he wants to harvest them. In other words, he wants to blow up the Soviet Union instead of letting the bombs pile up in the garden. "And I'm glad I'm not Gorbachev" Hahaha. It's like saying "You're screwed, buddy. Our weapons are better than yours!" But then he says "At least he's got a garden with a fertile plot" (he has a fair amount of weapons at his disposal as well) "and a party that will never stop" (the two countries could have prolonged warfare, which would be great in the eyes of the character in the song). As mentioned by Omega, this guy appreciates beauty in chaos. "Come out to play" is inviting a nuclear war with USSR. "And we'll pretend it's Christmas Day..." It's like opening a present, being able to finally use these bombs that have been packed away for so long. |
|
| Bad Religion – Generator Lyrics | 20 years ago |
|
I think hence thus is on the right track. Many of those metaphors seem to point to the same thing, unfulfillment. The hummingbird, who makes pretty sounds, in silence. The actors in a photograph, severely limiting the power of their acting (which is better seen in motion, of course). What he's known all along (like the bone under his skin) is that religion is unfulfilling. The pornographic sea may not represent destruction as much as it represents short term joy (casual sex (the pornographic sea) lacks the fulfillment of love). People look for a strong relationship with God, the generator, through religion, but in the end it's not fulfilling. But he wishes it was. "Wash me clean..." seems to allude to baptism, a religious tradition which is supposed to show your faith in God. "Blood on my door" is obviously a reference to the death of the first born, and again is a way of showing faith in God. The ugly laughing man may be a religious leader. The hammer is to the break the window to get the flower (perhaps the flower is a metaphor for a good relationship with God), and the knife is to kill the ugly laughing man standing in the way of creating a relationship with God. In other words, he doesn't want religion to dictate his relationship with God. |
|
| Weezer – Haunt You Every Day Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| I agree entirely with Yoseph. | |
| Tom Waits – Better Off Without a Wife Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| This song pretty much goes along with my thoughts on marriage, especially the last verse. | |
| Tom Waits – Big Joe and Phantom 309 Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| Awesome story song. | |
| Weezer – Falling For You Lyrics | 20 years ago |
|
I can relate to this song a lot. It's just about a guy who is shy, the kind of guy who girls don't really give the time of day to. Then, for some reason, a popular, outgoing, beautiful girl shows him affection, really likes him, and it's confusing to him. As he says, "What could you possibly see in little ol' 3-chord me?" He thinks of himself as inadequate, so for this girl, who can get just about any guy she wants, to like him doesn't make sense. This same thing happened to me. I went to a friend's work to say what's up, and her friend was about to leave work. She asked me to come by again the next night. I did, and after talking for a bit she gave me her number. I couldn't believe it. "Holy cow! I think I got one here. Now just what am I supposed to do?" The bits about having irrational fears (things like, she's too good for me, she must be wrong about me, I can't POSSIBLY be good enough for her) rings true as well. Is "old goats" correct? I thought it was "a ghost" as in someone who no one pays attention to. "'cuz I'm a burning a candle you're a gentle moth teaching me to lick a little bit kinder And I do like you - you're the lucky one No! I'm the lucky one" This is about how she's experienced in relationships and love and knows how it goes, whereas he is a complete novice. So he has to learn from her. He starts to gain confidence while in the relationship, saying "You're the lucky one." Then realizes how depressed and lonely he was before this girl, totally out of his league, fell for him, and he concedes that "No, I'm the lucky one." God damn, this song resonates a lot with me... |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.