| The Microphones – I'll Not Contain You Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Not to use the tired old "it's about a past relationship" bit, but I think Phil Elvrum is talking about a person that he had been with that he didn't want to tie down or "contain." It seems like he didn't want to bolt someone down into a serious relationship, and through "lengthy talks" have decided to be apart. Yet, each night when he goes to bed ("through climbing arms i'll reach my loft"). sadly shuffles out of his house("through rotting skin i'll leave my coffin"). or goes to work ("through calloused work"), he loses a part of himself without that person in his life (i will grow soft). Despite his decision, he still dreams about being with that person (my eyes narrow towards a light/a place where we hotly radiate), even if it's an unrealistic fantasy ("things aren't concrete there"). i'll not contain you |
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| Beck – Cyanide Breath Mint Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I've always believed that this song was about rising above the superficiality of normal belief systems or consumer ideals. When he says "I got a funny feeling they got plastic in the afterlife," it's like he's saying that the consumer minded have even incorporated their soullessness into their religious beliefs, taking the passion and feeling (which he mentions in the last line) from the very thing that is supposed to be pure or above "modern" life. He's basically asking the listener to refuse to settle and not conform to the conceited and self serious (those who would be "shaking hands with themselves") and refuse to let them corrupt your individuality and, by doing so, you'll rise above it ("when they suck your mind/like a pigeon you'll fly"). |
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| Guided by Voices – My Valuable Hunting Knife Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| I think he's talking about the fact that an object doesn't suffer from the sadness that comes with being a human. It also doesn't have the ability to judge, (i.e. "But you don't know what I go through"). The knife will never be affected by feeling or emotion and won't be mentally battered by the passage of time, even if it obviously will physically ("It will not rust through the tears, And it will not lose its appeal over years"). | |
| Guided by Voices – My Kind Of Soldier Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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By "soft the shelled remains," I think he's trying to dampen the blow caused by war violence or take its power away. Like... take the value away from something that is negative, or soften the shell (check the double meaning, shell as in rough exterior, shell as in shotgun shell). "Out with cheek and hair" may deal with an end to the "cheek for a cheek" concept most often used to spearhead violence or military activity. |
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| Guided by Voices – Hot Freaks Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| I'm willing to bet that the meat-eater vs. vegan theory is not what Bob Pollard was going for on this one. Even if this track isn't entirely sexual, I'm sure Bob realized that he made several references to cunnilingus in it (they seem to be pretty obvious). | |
| Guided by Voices – A Salty Salute Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I totally agree with the idea that this track is a "call to arms" of sorts for Bob to get his friends out to the bar. I think when he says "Proud brothers - Do not fret - The bus will get you there yet" he's telling his buddies (or "the new drunk drivers") to not worry about getting busted for drinking and driving, 'cause this spot is on the bus' route. |
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