| Beirut – The Peacock Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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This is my favorite song on the album. I wish it was longer, but maybe that's one reason why it's so perfect. I'm glad to have found the lyrics here, but I still don't really get a clear meaning from them. He's definitely referencing what seems like WWII again, which I love because it reminds me of his older stuff. To me, it seems also like a admit to some kind of defeat, and yet it's beautifully optimistic and hopeful. It also seems like he's talking about reaching out for something or trying to find an answer to lift him out off of the "ground" but he's in "a city where nobody hears." He asks the question, "where should I begin, begin?" (Love the repetition on this part) and then ends conclusively with "he's the only one who knows the words." In my mind, I just think of him realizing he's really the only person who can answer his question; he has to find his own solution to his own qualms. I think everyone has to deal with the realization that communication only goes so far at some time or another, and an obviously extreme example he uses is a young man sent to war, having to deal with death and being part of a tight-knit group of people who have to leave each other to die to save their own lives. I would love to hear other people's interpretations. |
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| Norah Jones – December Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I have to disagree with fluffmeister (unless this person knows for sure), but I take the song quite literally. Maybe it's because I had a similar experience, but I feel like the song is yearning for a time (December) more than a person. It's like when you have an amazing month and want it back. This works for December because it is a cold winter month, but winter is still magical and warm (warm as in emotional warmth from holidays and happiness) at this point. Meanwhile, January rolls around and all of a sudden you find yourself amidst a dark, cold winter without any lights or joy or holidays or family. Also, December in a way is still looked at as a cold, dark month despite the "holiday cheer" and so when she says "I will carry you home, back from the loneliest place you have known" it feels like, in a way, she is sort of saying she will enjoy its beauty and luster as opposed to seeing it as a dread (like many people do). The most pertinent think about this song to me is that most songs that honor certain months or times of the year (aside from Xmas music) rave about summer or spring. Even autumn. Songs that talk about February or December or January are usually about being cold and lonely and depressed. This is not a Xmas song, and so it is unique, and when I listen to this song I almost feel like she is singing to the month of December-- not only telling it she thinks it is wonderful, but that she wants it back. Another thing to keep in mind is that the album is called "The Fall," and in many ways has an autumny feel to it. Actually, I've always found Norah Jones to be my "autumn" soundtrack. In that case, December is the end of fall. It sort of seems like this song puts her on the other side of autumn (aka the dead of winter) and she's begging for it back, offering up her company to it. When I write it out it sort of sounds trite and dumb, but this meaning of the song holds a lot of significance to me because I felt the same way this year. |
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| Norah Jones – December Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I have to disagree with fluffmeister (unless this person knows for sure), but I take the song quite literally. Maybe it's because I had a similar experience, but I feel like the song is yearning for a time (December) more than a person. It's like when you have an amazing month and want it back. This works for December because it is a cold winter month, but winter is still magical and warm (warm as in emotional warmth from holidays and happiness) at this point. Meanwhile, January rolls around and all of a sudden you find yourself amidst a dark, cold winter without any lights or joy or holidays or family. Also, December in a way is still looked at as a cold, dark month despite the "holiday cheer" and so when she says "I will carry you home, back from the loneliest place you have known" it feels like, in a way, she is sort of saying she will enjoy its beauty and luster as opposed to seeing it as a dread (like many people do). The most pertinent think about this song to me is that most songs that honor certain months or times of the year (aside from Xmas music) rave about summer or spring. Even autumn. Songs that talk about February or December or January are usually about being cold and lonely and depressed. This is not a Xmas song, and so it is unique, and when I listen to this song I almost feel like she is singing to the month of December-- not only telling it she thinks it is wonderful, but that she wants it back. Another thing to keep in mind is that the album is called "The Fall," and in many ways has an autumny feel to it. Actually, I've always found Norah Jones to be my "autumn" soundtrack. In that case, December is the end of fall. It sort of seems like this song puts her on the other side of autumn (aka the dead of winter) and she's begging for it back, offering up her company to it. When I write it out it sort of sounds trite and dumb, but this meaning of the song holds a lot of significance to me because I felt the same way this year. |
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| Phoenix – Lisztomania Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I think this song is a lot about the music industry and mass media in general. Lisztomania refers to fanatical obsession, particularly a fanatical obsession that occurred in a time during which it was a bit ridiculous, as it wasn't exactly the "norm" to be a screaming mess at a classical music concert (and it's pretty much expected at many concerts today). For instance: "Lisztomania Think less but see it grow Like a ride, like a riot, oh!" I think this refers to the mindless way in which many people become obsessed with musicians, to the point where they don't think logically and it thus creates a sort of histeria. It takes people on a wile ride where they lose control of themselves, or also like a riot. He then says: "follow, misguide, stand still discuss, discourage, On this precious we can end it" I interpret this as him sort of saying "stop. Think about what you are doing and why. Talk about it, discourage the blind, illogical, fanatacism, and by doing this we can end this ridiculousness." Then, when he says: "This love's for gentlemen only Wealthiest gentlemen only And now that you're lonely Duel it, duel it, duel it, juggle it, duel it, duel it" I think of this as them talking further about the music industry. By saying "This love's for gentlemen only" I think he's referring to how there's a price on music. You have to be able to afford music, and thus, you have to be a "gentleman." The love of music is no longer open for all to enjoy. It is something you have to buy. He mentions loneliness a few times in the song, which I think refers to the way in which being a musician in an industry that is exclusive (people with money, or "gentlemen", only) and aims to spark an illogical and fleeting "Lisztomania" rather than a true thoughtful appreciation for a musician (ex. Jonas Brothers are meant to be "Lisztes" who just make teen girls go crazy without thinking, not true musicians that spark any deep thought or musical appreciation) may make him feel alienated as musician. In other words, knowing that you're playing for a screaming crowd who is just crazy because you are a "fad" band rather than a band who they genuinely respect for your musical contribution to the world can make one feel alienated from their fans and thus lonely. If you keep this in mind, it tends to make sense throughout the whole song. It's tempting to want to think about most songs in a romantic sense, as we all want to be able to directly relate our own life experiences to song lyrics, especially when they use pronouns like "you," which makes it sound as if they are singing to a lover. But this song seems too broad in meaning to be a love song. Way too broad. |
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| Devendra Banhart – Cristobal Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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The English translation for "Hay un mundo mas alla, Otro mundo mas alla," is NOT: "There's another world out there More of a world out there" It's: "There is a world out there, Another world beyond" Sorry. But that bothers me. Not "more of another world" "mas alla" means "beyond" or "out there" |
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| Beirut – Nantes Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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You know that feeling, what your heart is just melting and your stomach feels warm and tingly, and you feel like you can't take it? ...That's what this song does to me. As for its meaning, it is a lot about the war. This whole album references World War II. Most of the songs are named after European cities where famous battles occured. The lyrics, "Well it's been a long time now, Since I've seen you smile... And I'll gamble away my fright, and I'll gamble away my time..." Are most likely coming from an American man who is away at war in Europe, or more specifically Nantes. He is thinking of a loved one while trying to be strong. |
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| The Beatles – I Want You (She's So Heavy) Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Has anyone else seen the movie Across The Universe? I LOVE how they interpret this song. I know that it's probably simply about wanting someone, but in the movie, it was different. When one character, Max, went to report to the military office to be drafted into Vietnam, this song comes on-- A big poster of Uncle Sam starts singing, "I want you... I want you so baaaaaaaad..." Max ends up on a conveyor belt, being stripped of his clothing by some scary-looking military men who are singing this song. Soon they are flipping him, forcing him to do push-ups and make a saluting gesture. Then, it shows the draftees trudging through a miniature Vietnam forest, carrying the statue of liberty on their backs as they sing "She's so HEAVY!!!" The song is re-done and sounds different from the original, but it's done BRILLIANTLY. It's one of the most powerful things I've ever seen in my life. I like to think of this song as referring to that. |
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| Joseph Arthur – In The Sun Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I don't think he is talking to someone he loves. I'm surprised so many people think that. I imagine him talking to someone who is religious, who put all their faith in the fact that their God will lead them through life, though they find their God lets them down. It seems like he is singing it from a more agnostic view to a very religious person. As if he is saying, "hey, maybe you shouldn't believe in something you're not sure is going to do you good" but at the same time comforting them in a sort of ironic way when he says "May God's love be with you" As in, whatever God or greater power, or simply the universe or luck be on your side. Especially when he says "If there's anyone in the sun (being in the sun meaning someone who knows the truth about the meaning of life and faith), can you help me to understand?" And then "maybe you're not even sure what it's for any more than me" As in, just because you believe in a religion doesn't mean you know more about the meaning of life or truth of the world than I do. |
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| Iron & Wine – Faded from the Winter Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I think this song sounds like it's for a mother-figure. At least that's what it makes me think of. It brings me nostalgia for my parents, specifically my mother, and my home. Beautiful-- the kind of song that really makes you stop moving forward and sort of suspend in the present to feel strong emotions. |
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