| The Mountain Goats – Pale Green Things Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I wondered perhaps if the pale green things mentioned were analogous to signs of goodness in his stepfather... that the weak plants pushing their way up through the ground were evidence that his stepfather wasn't all bad, but they were still weak. Though I like the other ideas posted too, it could be any of them really. |
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| The Mountain Goats – Heretic Pride Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| In reply to crystal dreams, I would suggest instead that the person being burnt at the stake is the proud one, laughing in the face of his tormentors, rather than the lynch mob. | |
| The Mountain Goats – Sax Rohmer #1 Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Well, assuming that each song on 'Heretic Pride' fits in with the titular notion (i.e. people reviled for their beliefs/actions but stubbornly sticking to them), then this is about Sax Rohmer the author of the Fu Manchu novels. It seems to be a kind of snapshot of his creative mind's output, with all the associated Fu Manchu stuff (spies from imperial China etc.). For those who don't know, Wikipedia told me that Sax Rohmer once ridiculed the suggestion that his novels were racist in tone towards Chinese people by saying something like "but all Chinese people are like that". Hence, heretic pride... |
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| The Mountain Goats – Oceanographer's Choice Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I agree with the idea that it's a reconciliation, but I never thought of it as being sexual - more of a fight... It's as though in their final 'showdown' the very fact that there is passion between them, if only violent comes as a surprise, hence "Would you look at that?/We're throwing off sparks". Though I suppose whether it's sex or a violent struggle is kind of irrelevant in this situation - as you say, it purposely suggests both. Awesome, awesome song. |
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| Okkervil River – Plus Ones Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| And also Tom Jones' "What's New Pussycat?" | |
| Okkervil River – A Girl In Port Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Well... I don't know. I think that his comments regarding non-autobiographical writing ought to be taken with a pinch of salt. I think a lot of Will comes out in his songs. | |
| Okkervil River – Song About a Star Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I think this is just about someone becoming famous, leaving their friends, but ultimately destined to burn out. He is, literally, "light thats not yet dead" and if we were to "wait two hours" then he'd have burnt out. |
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| Okkervil River – The Latest Toughs Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Nicely references 'Song About A Star' as well, actually. | |
| Okkervil River – Seas Too Far to Reach Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I interpret this last bit somewhat differently to you guys. I feel it's about a jaded relationship - a possible precursor to BSB? - and he is using the explorative imagery as though he is trying to get through to her. He totally de-romanticises sex as he sings "push and pull ourselves until we're deep inside sleep". "Your sleepy sighing sounds like waves upon a sea too far to reach" I could be wrong, but this sounds to me like a weary and embittered man who has spent far too long trying to reach that sea, only ever getting so far. But he finally resolves to keep on trying. |
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