| Johnny Flynn – Tunnels Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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I interpret this song to be about a journey through life, and ultimately, about death. I think the term 'tunnel' implies not only a route but also a 'rut', and for so long he 'stayed out those tunnels that pull people down', but eventually succumbed to a life where he felt trapped. And when he states that 'there's more of those tunnels in your home town' I think he means that so many people talk about getting out of places but many stay in that 'rut' and it's so easy to fall into a trap. But 'we're all digging' our way out of these places, trying to reach some sort of escape from our mundane existence. But ultimately the only existence we reach isn't an earthly one. We can dig for money, and status and escape, but eventually we all reach the same destination and we leave this world the same way we came in, with nothing. 'We dug for money, we shovelled four tons, and the end wasn't funny, though we'd all had fun.' The 'end' being 'death'. 'My father dug too, he got where he was going at the age of 62.' Although this line confirms my assumptions about the song being about death, I also find it quite strange that usually Johnny's songs are less personal, he creates characters and takes on their persona's, but this line is extemely personal since his father did actually pass away at 62. I could go on interpreting this song forever, it is one of my all time favourites, and each line is like embarking on a new avenue of ideas. I still haven't quite decided on the symbolism of the 'ornamental tree' so if anyone who has any ideas please share them because I'd love to hear other peoples views. |
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| Mumford & Sons – Sister Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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Definitley about his sister, and a song I can identify with. I don't even think his sister necessarily wants to 'leave', more that she's just going through a challenging stage in her life, which all of us with sisters, particularly younger sisters can identify with. The 'chip on your shoulder' he talks about I think is referring to teenage angst and a general grievance with or grudge against life, which anyone who has been a teenage girl can relate to. And if she doesn't let it go she will push everyone she knows away. And eventually her roots (referring to her family) will rot away, and her fruit won't grow (she won't flourish and blossom, or reach her potential with this chip on her shoulder). And he asks her not to 'test' the one's she loves, letting her know that she might just push them too far and he asks her to find other ways of feeling alive instead of releasing her aggression on the one's that love her. If she wants to feel alive she should learn to love herself and what she stands for. I absolutely love this song and have to stop myself quoting it in arguments with my own sister!! |
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