| Stereolab – Eye of The Volcano Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Express reality was burning Those who make us take it forward It's not different languages full of riches To reveal what's real and concrete His connection His true life, the spirit Beware the swan Takes a will to create Reality has been diverted Unscrupulously manipulated Unbridled exercise of power The fascist urge to control all-- from what we think to our intimacy Our bodies turn to commodities Hypocrisy of our time So in love with freedom Who really wants it dead Yes, I object to be made an object No sight for your infliction of power Hypocrisy of our time So in love with freedom Who really wants it dead We treat our bodies like machines, Fascism winning We treat our bodies like machines, Fascism winning __ I had to submit my interpretation because the line "Yes, I object to be made an object" is so subversive and cool to me. I am not totally sure about some of the other lines, but I find this version much more satisfying. I can't make much sense of the first verse, but it seems like a much more indirect version of the verse from "Reality" to "commodities," which is a pretty rad and straightforward piece of writing. It makes the exact connection between the maintenance of power (the state, the empire, civilization, the white man...) and the control of our thoughts and intimacy. However, if the lyric "Beware the Swan" is correct, it might make sense because the common cultural association with swans is their muteness. In the context of this song, being quiet and not objecting to being commodified is warned against as "fascism winning." Also, according to my wikipedia research, "In the United Kingdom there is a popular belief that all swans are the property of the Queen." Or perhaps this was either a presage or a response, depending on when this was written, to the infamous Bjork swan dress. |
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