submissions

R.E.M. – The Great Beyond Lyrics

16 years ago

I had heard from Michael (I think) during an interview and the 'Pushing an elephant up the stairs" was a direct reference to the impossibility (or indeed, the immense task) of writing another song about Andy Kaufman. Seeing as they had already written one with him in mind, obviously 'Man on the Moon', it appeared that another 'version' would be unneccessary and incredibly hard. So whilst the song still was made for the film, I'm not entirely convinced it has that much to do directly with Kaufman, but more of an oblique reference to the forces that helped to shape his life and career, i.e. media, audience, etc, and how they still persist today.

submissions

System of a Down – Hypnotize Lyrics

16 years ago

I'm with you on that one; I got the same 'image', as it were. If that's the case, it adds a human element to the story. It's not just another protest gone bad in some foreign country, but someone's girlfriend who died; someone's daughter; someone's grandchild, etc. Often the current media seeks to sensationalise current events in order to attract attention to the upcoming advertisement, in the same way that daytime soapies do. This, in turn, creates a blurring of reality and fiction that causes the viewing public to emotionally remove themselves from tragedy (even at home). Once the TV's off, or the computer, or the newspaper's thrown out, the tragedy disappears. But somewhere, someone's still in their car waiting for his girl to return.

submissions

Amanda Palmer – The Point of It All Lyrics

16 years ago

Rather than being too specific, the intuitive meaning of the tune seems clear enough. Whilst there certainly are potent enough drug references throughout, I don't feel the song's themes are entirely on this subject. The reference serves more to prove the character's despondency and wasted potential. The song seems a story of time spent on aiding those who would not aid themselves. This is a tragedy, as Greg Graffin once pointed out "There is no such thing as human debris." Being involved in the Australian music scene I have had the mispleasure of knowing people of similar nature to this song's person. People who are usually incredibly creative or sporadical geniuses, whom stumble at the smallest self-induced hurdles. Fittingly enough, most have some dependency on substance abuse. They seem scared that the prospect of living is some insurmountable obstacle and (oddly) unimportant enough for them to worry about. Most of us would love to see this people and their talents shared with the world for the greater good of us all, but all will usually despair as the subject languishes in self-made despair and toxic logic about not wanting to become like all "those cigarette ads that you hate." In all, the theme to me is the tragedy of lost potential and art through wilfull choice not to live.

submissions

System of a Down – Chop Suey! Lyrics	16 years ago
I concur. This song is to be taken somewhat metaphorically. This meaning also ties in with previous posts about addiction; which can now make sense in this light.

submissions

Jeff Martin – The Kingdom Lyrics

16 years ago

Jeff did elude to the meaning for this song at a show in Adelaide, though I can't remember. He did send the song out to his former Tea Party bandmates; Stuart and Jeff, and can be heard on the Live in Brisbane album to sing "...You virgin saints, you virgin souls, can't you boys hear me at all?". I do you remember that the Kingdom he refers to is a somewhat metaphysical and philosophical place, but not specifically religious. He was emphatic on that point.

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