| TV on the Radio – Red Dress Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| Does anybody have an idea of what the Jacaranda trees reference is about? I'm really curious about that, and have not been able to figure it out. | |
| TV on the Radio – Love Dog Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I think this song is about searching and longing for God. Someone on this site brought up many lyric similarities between the TVOTR song Staring at the Sun, and the Rumi poem No Room for Form (as it was translated by Coleman Barks). This intrigued me, so I began researching Rumi, and two things happened: I discovered his wonderful poetry, and learned that someone in TVOTR is definitely a fan... :) Rumi often uses the word Love instead of God, and refers to God as "The Lover". There is an entire chapter entitled Love Dogs in a book of Rumi poetry by Coleman Barks: "The Sufis feel that dogs are our teachers with their faithfulness." Here is a piece of Rumi's poem Love Dogs: "Why did you stop praying?" "Because I've never heard anything back." "This longing you express is the return message." The grief you cry out from draws you towards union. Your pure sadness that wants help is the secret cup. Listen to the moan of a dog for it's master. That whining is the connection. There are love dogs no one knows the names of. Give your life to be one of them. Ok, now, that being said - Here's what I hear with I listen to this beautiful song: Lonely little love dog that No one knows the name of I know why you cry out Desperate and devout Love dog - someone who longs for the connection with and to feel god's love: I know why you yearn so, why you remain so devout. Timid little teether Your eyes set on the ether Your moon in a bella luna and Howling hallelujah ether = heavens, you look up at the heavens, and howl hallelujah, I think the moon reference is imagery that plays into the dog metaphor. Howling at the moon, etc'. Bella Luna actually literally means: Beautiful moon, also: Full moon. You howl you hallelujahs at the full moon. Nameless you above me Come lay me low and love me This lonely little love dog That no one knows the name of The speaker is asking to feel god's love. Even though he's just a lonely little loyal "nobody" - a love dog, drowned in anonymity. Curse me out in free verse - I agree with a previous poster: reference to the bible? Wrap me up and reverse this - take me into your light, and reverse the curse - love me Patience is a virtue Until it's silence burns you - This again reminds me of the Rumi poem where "the silence IS the answer" And something slow Has started in me as - I am finding faith Shameless as an ocean - against all odds Mirrored in devotion - I mirror my inner faith with my devotion to you Something slow Has sparked up in me - repetition - still discussing finding faith As dog cries for a master - As I long for you, God Sparks are whirling faster - my faith burns stronger (could also be a reference to Sufism, twirling dervishes, etc...) Lonely little love dog That no one knows the ways of Where the land is low is - When times are rough Where the bones'll show through - suffering Lonely little love dog That no one knows the days of Where the land is low is - When times are rough Where the water flows to - that's when faith finds you And holds you - and comforts you |
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| TV on the Radio – Family Tree Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| lmao | |
| TV on the Radio – Halfway Home Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I hear this as being about someone who may have been suffering from some sort of mental illness or maybe depression. I don't know, something about the description of "the lazy way they turned your head / into a rest stop for the dead" that just sounds very "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" to me. Also the description of the silhouette escaping the bed, could be a care giver, the person's soul, or their sanity departing. Perhaps it's about a troubled person who was obviously loved ("the damage you hold inside your blush" - such a beautiful line! or "it's over now / but not enough"), but felt too burdened by whatever ailed them to reap the benefits of that love, a person with a free and creative soul, who ultimately lost the fight with her inner demons. Possibly a suicide, maybe "a comfort plush all laced in lead" refers to a bullet? I read in an article (not sure what the source was) that Tunde said this was about two people who had died, and that's all he was prepared to say about it. Which, kind of made me wonder if it was maybe a pregnant woman, or a woman and a child who were lost. Either way, and even if my interpretation is way off, it is one hell of a great song, and part of a brilliant album. And though it clearly speaks of loss, I think it's also uplifting the way it so beautifully depicts the love towards what clearly was, to the person speaking the words, a person of great inner beauty and light. |
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| TV on the Radio – Staring At The Sun Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I love this song so much! It really gives me goose-bumps every time I hear that opening. Which band member wrote these lyrics? |
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