| Elliott Smith – Little One Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Contrary to what others have been posting, I doubt that this song is about crack. Crack stimulates the nervous system and probably wouldn't inspire the delicate, dreamy, sedated nature of "Little One". Heroin fits the description much more closely. There are a few double meanings in this song that stand out. For one, the title and overall sound bring to mind a lullaby for a small child. Smith himself seems to be reduced to the status of a child in the lyrics, lured by the deceptive force of the drug like an earnest kid being pulled into a villain's arms in exchange for candy, begging for "one more, little one" and promising to "go down, and stay down". He fools himself into believing that one dose of this vice will be enough, that he won't ever need more and that it won't eventually wear off. This, too, is a typically childlike notion, stubborn and lacking foresight. Of course, one also gets the sense that he is fantasizing about actually taking his last dose, his overdose, and finally drifting a peaceful death. Upon listening to this song, one is struck by the absence of Smith's characteristic quiet rage and passion, as if this flame had been vanquished by a sheet of slivery water. It's no less brilliant than his other work; it's just as if the that frustrated, insatiable, fully human side of him has finally dissolved, paving the way for the death of his physical body. Not only has he anticipated his own death; it is almost as if he is communicating to us from his own grave on this track. Quite a bitter-sweet end to an enigmatic life; bitter for us, as we have lost a visionary artist in the middle of his career, but perhaps more a sweet relief for the troubled Smith himself. |
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| Andrew Bird – Imitosis Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I think "inanity" got it pretty much right. Panda reefer's 'acid tab' idea was pretty ridiculous, but c'mon don't make vicious and melodramatic statements. Here's my take: The lyrics of Imitosis contain several metaphors and, in a way, explanations for "the reason why" humanity exists. First, the Creation is referred to with Doctor Pynchon (“God”) running this experiment with cells (separate egos), suggesting that the human experience is just a failed experiment. Thus, man (the bacteria) or perhaps Bird himself asks for “the reason why” the Doctor created him, why this experiment had to take place. “With his machinations and his palindromes It was anything but hear the voice Anything but hear the voice It was anything but hear the voice That says that we're all basically alone” This depicts man’s constant scurrying around, busying himself with games (from the narrow meaning of games, like palindromes, to the the big contraptions, machinations that are ultimately mere “games”) as a desperate attempt to flee that voice that tells him what he knows at some level is the truth, the fact that no matter what what connections he tries to make he ultimately cannot enter another consciousness, and is therefore “basically alone”. "And turning to a playground in a Petri dish Where single cells would swing their fists At anything that looks like easy prey In this nature show that rages every day How can kids be so mean Our famous doctor tried to glean" The scientist, a personification of God, and therefore not God himself but a mere owner of an ego, looks for answers in the petri dish, and the "bacteria" look up to the scientist for answers. There is an endless cycle of looking truth where it never existed. Ultimately, not much truth cannot penetrate an ego, the ego must disintegrate to experience truth. The swinging of the fists illustrates man’s ego, which is ultimately childlike (hence, playground). This weak, pathetic little ego aggressively fights to try to save itself from its inevitable destruction. Bird apparently views all of nature as this immature, raging group of separate egos who, although claiming to desire connection, really are out for only their own ego. Bird compares nature to a show, which is blown out of proportion and not truly “reality”. "And why do some show no mercy While others are painfully shy Tell me doctor can you quantify He just wants to know the reason why The reason why" Why do they congregate in groups of four Scatter like a billion spores And let the wind just carry them away Man is asking God (the Doctor) why individual egos (bacteria) can vary so much, yet still depend so much on one another’s approval; why people only latch onto something once they know it’s been approved by “billions” of people. In the song, “intuition” is the force beyond the ego that exists inside of every individual (although many egos muffle that voice) that reminds him of the absolute truth. "Despite what all his studies had shown That what's mistaken for closeness Is just a case of mitosis" A rather cynical view, stating that although mates think they are truly close, they are really just together to reproduce (hence, mitosis). Obviously “God” has an ego in perhaps as thick as man, since he is playing the role of a doctor. This illustrates that our personified God is not God in absolute, pure state, but just, though maybe greater, ego. "Sure fatal doses of malcontent through osmosis And why do some show no mercy While others are painfully shy Tell me doctor, can you quantify The reason why?" “Sure fatal doses of malcontent through osmosis” depicts the view that life is in essence a fatal disease, where a being gains an ego, grows attached to it in futility even as it brings it constant malcontent, and eventually the being is forced to shed that nasty ego. People want God to reveal them the truth, but ultimately, this being has an ego too, as they are communicating with Him in the language of those with egos, and the absolute God’s truth can only be absorbed through the shedding of the ego. Ultimate message Imitosis: People always ask “why?” and think God really knows the answers, when in actuality, God is just a "scientist" who is confounded by his failed experiment, who set humanity in place but lost control, letting the experiment run its course (Perhaps an allusion to Nietzsche, "God is dead"?). Also, people compared to bacteria, both which are fundamentally beings that are out for their own survival and to multiply and colonize different places, all to physically survive and to therefore protect the ego from its death. That's it for my imperfect analysis of the brilliant Andrew Bird's brilliant song Imitosis. Sorry it wasn't as eloquent as I could've made it but I figure that the poetry's up to Bird, and I just wanted to help get his message across. |
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