| Radiohead – Codex Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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A Rolling Stone writer said it was "about washing yourself clean in a world of dirty water," and I find that laughable, as there is nothing even hinting at "dirty water", the writer just made that up whole cloth. Instead I always thought the meaning was simple and literal, about being alone in nature and there feeling a release from guilt. The line, "You've done nothing wrong" suggests still being in the process of letting go of guilt. However, if the song is not literal, then I think it's about masturbating into a toilet. Slight (or sleight) of hand just barely hints at the act, but the change to "slide your hand" makes the hint more blunt. The song describes how it is a harmless act that nevertheless invokes feelings of guilt. And if it's not about this, then "slide your hand" could be describing the careful crawl along rocks to the place where you jump off, but rather I think this line is the literal topic of the song. |
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| Paul Simon – The Cool, Cool River Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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There are 3 different sections in the song. The first is in a jarring 9/8 time signature with a chaotic riff, and a repeating "thump" of sound like the little bump shoved into the momentum. The imagery is of stress and frustration with the developed and developing world, maybe similar to Bruce Cockburn's "Busy monster eats dark holes in the spirit world". The second is calm, melodic, reassuring. The imagery is of escape from the busy oppressive world, nature and solitude. The two sections might represent the "old hopes and fears." The third section is louder, powerful, upbeat. The thump of sound is there but it is now empowering. The imagery is of rising up, overcoming. The song seems to describe feeling oppressed, escaping, and prevailing. |
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| Lush – Olympia Lyrics | 5 years ago |
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Since I can't find an Olympia that better fits, I think Olympia is the subject of Manet's painting by the same name. She is lying back on a sofa, nude and looking at ease. '"Olympia" was a name associated with prostitutes in 1860s Paris.' There is a black cat at her feet. I suspect the place in Notting Hill refers to a place you can find prostitutes. I think the song juxtaposes the sense of contentment displayed in the painting ("to cherish feeling fine") with the stress and expectations of the real world ("aftermath of pain", "chaos of our lives", "Dress myself up like the perfect girl"). It does not idealize her lifestyle or imply anything sexual, only the feeling of being fine with yourself regardless of pressure from others. |
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| Animal Collective – Grass Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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When I hear this song I imagine a simple life, living on the plains, and a love story based there. Then once I noticed what sounds like a plane sound whenever he sings "We do the dance upon the [plane]"... It doesn't fit easily with the rest of the lyrics but that's what I hear every time. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – Keep The Customer Satisfied Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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In the context of dodging the law, "One step away from the shoe shine" might mean staying just slightly ahead of getting found out??? The "shoe shine" is where people talk, info travels, and criminals can get ratted out. Eg. see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Oer4_KRcXU ... 4:00. See also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUx1i38Rco8 :) |
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