sort form Submissions:
submissions
TV on the Radio – Shout Me Out Lyrics 16 years ago

I see the straight-forward meaning of getting a friend out of a "funk," whatever that "funk" may be.

That being said, I'd like to playfully suggest that the song is about the singer getting himself out of a funk.

"Storm, cast me out
So I can feel it in another way"

"Storm, wind me out
So I can feel it in another way
They won't talk about
Worn masochist's sigh
A distant figure in a photograph
Another eye"

These parts could mean he wants to dissociate from himself so he can think about his from an perspective not so attached.


"Warm passenger's high
If I could feel it for another day
It might run me dry"

When he dissociates from himself, he sees how great and comforting his "funk" is, but knows it is running him dry. At this point he's talking about himself from the 3rd and then 1st person even though its all viewed from the 3rd person.

The other parts of the son are all talking to himself from his new perspective as he's able to help him get better.

submissions
TV on the Radio – Love Dog Lyrics 16 years ago

Great posts by fecky and falkie and others.

I didn't initially notice the perspective the song takes as it changes through out. The first two section are to the "love dog" from the perspective of the narrator or from God. The middle four sections being from the "love dog" (or the narrator as a love dog himself) to God.

I am still curious about the meaning of the fifth and sixth sections.

"And something slow
Has started in me as
Shameless as an ocean
Mirrored in devotion"

I have a theory that this means:

Something slow
has started in me
that something slow is comparable to an ocean (an ocean is huge and powerful, but has no shame)
"Mirrored in devotion" is really important, does it refer to "something slow" or the "ocean" It makes me think it is strong like devotion, but not actually devotion. Might it be a strong frustration with or yearning for God that mirrors the love dog's devotion?


"Something slow
Has sparked up in me
As dog cries for a master
Sparks are whirling faster"

may mean:

Again referencing that same "something slow"
that has sparked/started in me
as I yearn for a God's acknowledgment and love, but do not get it
that "something slow" is getting stronger/faster. Creating feelings similar to those of devotion but out of frustration or longing?

If these parts are describing the frustration and longing for God, the final two sections are a good response from the narrator or from God that when your life is rough and you need help is when God will be there with you.

"Lonely little love dog
That no one knows the ways of
Where the land is low is
Where the bones'll show through"

"Lonely little love dog
That no one knows the days of
Where the land is low is
Where the water flows to
And holds you "

submissions
TV on the Radio – Love Dog Lyrics 16 years ago
I agree its "swirling", but it doesn't change the meaning much.

submissions
TV on the Radio – Red Dress Lyrics 16 years ago

The song references slavery and lack of respect for black people, but to me that's a metaphore for how people in general let society and government tame and enslave them. Not with literal chains or whips, but by caving and taking the easy path. "Hey slave they called and we caved, we answered to the new name." For our personal feeling of safety and perhaps a few compliments, "You're such a good dancer", we sacrifice our beliefs and integrity, "and you'll all dance to this without making a fist". I'd say the red dress could refer to war as an example of what we support and don't resist that compromises our integrity. "Fuck your war cause I'm fat and in love and no bombs are falling on me for sure. But I'm scared to death that I'm living a life not worth dying for."

I am curious about the "Whore of Babylon". Babylon is now located in Iraq, so perhaps we are whoring Babylon?

I'm also curious about the Jacaranda petals. Perhaps it is simply for the stunning visual of the light purple petals mixing with blood, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was more.

* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.