submissions
| Daniel Johnston – Man Obsessed Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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I read somewhere that Dan wrote this after going to an Elvis Costello concert. I can definitely hear Elvis pronunciations, when Dan sings "He couldn't be a..." and "strictly biz-NESS!"
I love that bit in the Speeding Motorcycle play where the girls sing, "The only way you could get her to look at you..."
Anyway, another great song about Laurie. The standout track from The What of Whom. |
submissions
| Daniel Johnston – Bye Bye Barbie Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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"Barbie" is most likely a girl Daniel was hanging around with during his early days in Austin. Her boyfriend got jealous and punched Daniel in the head. Dan talks about it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l--75zKeGoQ
Soon after this incident, he recorded Retired Boxer, the first songs he'd written in over a year.
I think the boxing motif is mentioned in most of the album's songs. I'll Do Anything but Break Dance... is the highlight of the album to me. |
submissions
| Alexander Skip Spence – Little Hands Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Great opening song. Pulls willing people in with its catchy melody, although they might be turned off by Cripple Creek, if they're planning to listen to all of Oar. I think this song's saying that the answers lie in the hearts of children, the way children act, they're happy but they're searching too, for world peace. Spence's message isn't anything new, when you look at all the songs from this period, they have a pretty similar overall theme. But the way he delivers it is definitely original and distinctive. |
submissions
| Daniel Johnston – Premarital Sex Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Good, oft-forgotten tune from Songs of Pain. I like how the recording at the beginning (not sure if it's from a movie or TV show or other) is an allegory of the music Johnston chose to accompany the lyrics, as the lyrics themselves are about as self-explanatory as you can get. Although if he had included a scene from a movie/TV show where a teenage girl discovers she's pregnant or a bunch of guys are talking about sex, it would've been pretty funny I'm sure. |
submissions
| Rush – The Spirit Of Radio Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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I'd say Rush's best song after Fly by Night. Ah, I'd say best song lyrically. Peart manages to write some pretty awesome lyrics here, still a little overly-grandiose but not nearly as much as some of their other songs. His metaphors are all intact, the flow is good, great homage to simon & garfunkel (and the radio station he's referring to of course), no cheesy rhymes, just enough repetition but not too much... This was definitely his peak as a songwriter. |
submissions
| Modest Mouse – Broke Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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This song is the musical and lyrical thesis of Modest Mouse's early career. The pretty guitar, the wordless shouts, the soft-loud dynamics, the car references, the redneck metaphors, the disappointing people, the self-defecation, but mostly, the feeling that you're listening to something that's timeless.
If MM have a "Last Waltz"... this should be the final number. This or Trailer Trash. Or Cowboy Dan. Not Float On... |
submissions
| Modest Mouse – Perfect Disguise Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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The first time MM played this song live was at their first Seattle show after the rape accusation. Brock said at the end of the show, "Thanks a lot to our friends for coming out tonight, and uh... everyone else...". He probably didn't mean it like it sounds, he was prolly just giving his friends a special mention as opposed to fans but, in lieu of the recent events, it's fitting.
And yes, I think this song is about the girl who accused him. Although I'd say most of the other songs on M&A aren't. |
submissions
| Modest Mouse – 3rd Planet Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Pitchfork seems convinced it's about a miscarriage--pretty confidently stated it in their summary of the song for the top 200 songs of the 2000s. And while I don't think Pitchfork intentionally tries to be smug, they definitely come across as such when they categorize an impossibly complex song like this one... but i digress, i can see why theyre doing it if theyre trying to justify its being on their list. Or maybe they just want to impress less lyric-savvy readers with their all-encompassing analysis. All I know is Brock wouldn't be impressed, if he gave a shit. |
submissions
| Ugly Casanova – Barnacles Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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yeah i think idontremember had a pretty good analysis. but for some reason i can't quite grasp the "i don't know me" verse. the speaker is saying they fit good together because he knows her like he knows himself, which is not at all. but he doesnt say that she doesnt know him, as opposed to her not knowing herself. that would seem to me, to complete the metaphor (or simile) but i'm afraid i'm taking the piss out of it so i'll stop there. |
submissions
| Modest Mouse – Missed the Boat Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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I believe that you are correct. According to the lyric booklet, it's "good goddamn", and Isaac does have a tendency to slur his words on occasion. |
submissions
| Kevin Drew – Love Vs. Porn Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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When I first saw this song on the Dark Was the Night tracklist, I thought wow, here's the archetypal Kevin Drew song... it's basically what he's been singing about in songs all along, not to mention what he's said in his Pitchfork interviews, and the video he put up on his website before Spirit If... came out. He's kindof resigned to his attraction to porn, he's been looking at it for so long he feels... the lyrics are actually alot less obtuse than they are usually for kevin, so i really dont feel like breakin
em down, i'll just be taking the piss outta em. |
submissions
| Peter Frampton – Baby, I Love Your Way Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Frampton wrote this one and Show Me the Way at the same time - both are on his self-titled album that came out before Frampton Comes Alive! - so it's unlikely that its a sequel. I think Frampton just liked singing about a girl's "way". |
submissions
| Rheostatics – Me and Stupid Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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The inclusion of "hospital" in the last verse is not to denote that that's what the Dumb House is (I'm sure most anyone could figure that out, although it is a specific kindof hospital...). No, I thought it right to throw it in there since Dave sings it when the band played this song at their last show at Massey Hall. They didn't play it live much to my knowledge...
I'm also not totally sure about "minnows!", but there it is.
So, quite an intriguing song. Continues Dave's compulsion to name-drop various places, people, things... I'd be interested to learn that this is a true story, that's for sure. |
submissions
| Blind Faith – Had To Cry Today Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Nobody's commented... hmm, well i can see how this song, great as it is, can get lost in the overwhelming aggregate of great 60s/70s music that has achieved more popularity than lil' old blind faith. i think everyone should hear steve winwood's soaring voice at least once in their lives. and on this song, the poetic lyrics could pretty much be meaningless and he would still make them sound good. |
submissions
| Steve Hackett – Ace Of Wands Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Probably the best song on Voyage. Very smart, having it as the opener--gets your attention. And just when it's starting to get repetitive, it progresses. And that's why they call it progressive rock... ;) |
submissions
| Rheostatics – Take Me in Your Hand Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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He wants to feel like a little bird yet wicked as a bee... or is he saying a little bird IS wicked? I dunno, but what i do know is there is an awesome live version of this with gord downie taking the lead. |
submissions
| Frog Eyes – One in Six Children Will Flee in Boats Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Haha i thought "blue boards" was simply "bones" and i thought "breaking legs" was "vacant lakes"... Either I'm a terrible decipherer of lyrics or Mercer is the indecipherable one.
Either way, the piano in the chorus is absolutely magnificent. |
submissions
| Haddaway – What Is Love? Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Possibly the best dance song ever written.
And yet still, Will Ferrell's right - you get sick of it after a while. But if you're in a real good mood (or really, really drunk), that could take a long while. |
submissions
| Daniel Johnston – Never Relaxed Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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I'm pretty sure it's "Relaxed", not "Relax".
Either way it is hilarious indeed. Especially the intro... Boogaloo! HAHA, I nearly peed myself... |
submissions
| Ugly Casanova – Diggin' Holes Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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If you can find it, listen to the live version of this song from an austin gig in 2000. isaac sings things i don't remember while playing this song's guitar chords--it's good, and definitely seems spontaneous, as the drummer is clearly not that familiar with the material. |
submissions
| Ugly Casanova – Barnacles Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Not only did he write "Parasites" but during that very early period of MM, Brock also wrote a song called "Ugly Casanova". |
submissions
| The Whitsundays – I Want It All Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Wow. This song proves that you can still pull off using basic emotional, love and longing lyrics... the kindof subject matter that made 60s songs so great and original. Here it sounds almost more original, these guys channeling the the Beach Boys and, if it's safe for me to suggest, the Moody Blues... Very nice. |
submissions
| The Beatles – Wild Honey Pie Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Actually this was Paul all by himself. He recorded four different voices, and it's a testament to his vocal talent how he made them all sound so authentic. The guitar reminds me of the South Park ending credits for some reason. |
submissions
| Modest Mouse – Float On Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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I felt that way a few months ago, that MM had changed my life. But then I just got a little sick of their music, or maybe I realized I couldn't relate to Brock's lyrics on the same "self-affirming reinforcement" level no longer... either way, I speak objectively when I say that this song will always be one that people can turn to, when they need that optimistic nudge every now and then. Even if you believe that the whole song is sarcastic and satirical, you'll have a wry grin on your face and feel a tinge of nostalgia when you hear it for the first time in a long time. And that's always a positive experience. |
submissions
| Modest Mouse – BMX Crash Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Puts me in a happy mood too... To me Isaac sounds like one of those newsboys from the 30s here. Also thought i'd point out that interstate-8.com has the last line as: uh oh, i think i lost the scratch. I doubt that's what he says. Left a scratch is funnier and makes more sense. |
submissions
| The Velvet Underground – European Son Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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The breaking plates is great, but I don't think it would be as effective without the 4-second roar that precedes it. I can't even speculate what the source of that noise might be... anyone ? |
submissions
| Sunset Rubdown – Idiot Heart Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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lol at above comment... All i have to say about this song is during the "you know your heart" section, when the QChord kicks in. Love it. It's not a Sunset Rubdown song without that QChord! |
submissions
| Jethro Tull – A Passion Play Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Magus Perde is a cool song, with Martin's guitar and some actually memorable melodies. now if there'd only been a few more moments like that on the album, the whole thing mightve been a bit more lasting on someone's memory. i mean, even the hare story is ultimately forgettable. it also wouldve helped if ian simplified his lyrics and delivered them in a simpler fashion.
oh well. |
submissions
| Modest Mouse – Cowboy Dan Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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I wouldnt take everything in that book as truth-- I'm sure Isaac prolly did recall his childhood when writing LCW, as he did when writing most of his songs from that period. But I have reason to believe Cowboy Dan was written back in '93 or '94. A real lo-fi recording of its on http://modestmouselive.zeromethos.com/. Now I wouldnt say the internet is more trustworthy than a book, but it also shows this on the pretty accurate and reliable site, interstate-8.com. It was recorded for Parasite Sessions, the band's first demo with Calvin Johnson. You can hear Isaac's voice is younger and the extreme lo-fidelity would seem to be a pretty good indication of its age. But I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm sure the guy who wrote the book wouldve checked to make sure his facts were straight-- even though he didnt talk to isaac...or any of the band members for that matter...
anyway, if the storys true, then, regardless of when he wrote it, its an awesome adaptation into song. |
submissions
| Tom Petty – Jammin' Me Lyrics
| 10 years ago
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Ha, love how this was one of Petty's biggest hits at the time... and it's only got two comments... Just goes to show how some songs don't stand the test of time too well. Good tune, though. |
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