| Dirty Projectors – Cannibal Resource Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| Also Shoofa, I believe the line "I think you're more than a terrified witness, behind the arbitrary line" would refer to someone who would make an excuse saying they are just one average person, and they can't do anything. | |
| Dirty Projectors – Cannibal Resource Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| I somewhat agree with you. I don't know if it is specifically about the War in Iraq. I do think it is about oil and other non-renewable sources of energy. He is saying it is a cannibal resource because we are hurting future generations via pollution and less remaining resources by using way more than we really need right now. | |
| Phoenix – Lisztomania Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| Also, MyTalkShow, many would argue that music should mean many things to many people. Ambiguity in lyrics is often what makes it beautiful and artistic, think of "Brick" by Ben Folds Five....a beautifully written song that is about an abortion. Many people do not understand what the song is really about, I wouldn't say that is because the song is poorly written. Would it have been better if it was clearer and he sang "I'm really sad because I knocked up my girlfriend when I was young and she got an abortion and it was really difficult and destroyed our relationship and friendship and a lot of emotions come up when I think back to it"? That song isn't as interesting to me. | |
| Phoenix – Lisztomania Lyrics | 16 years ago |
|
I have a different interpretation, admittedly though some parts of the song may not fit in with the theme. I think it could be about the internal/mental battle of mainstream or commercial success vs. "artistic integrity". Some people have posted (either here or elsewhere, can't recall) that the term "Lizstomania" refers to the love/obsession some fans had with a famous composer named Lizst. The opening stanza could be the discussion of a song or its theme, and a record company person saying "no no sentimental songs don't sell" or something like this. I feel like the beginning is where my interpretation is weakest. But now they are the fortunate, only they feel down and lonely because while many would consider them fortunate (famous, rich, etc.) they may not feel this way if they feel like they have had to compromise on what they wanted to do. Then the "juggle it, duel it" is about trying to toe the line between the commercially popular so you can make a living and between doing whatever you want. Actually the next part, "wealthiest gentleman only", may be where my interpretation is weakest. I can make a feasible argument in my head, but I can't really convince myself of what I think the meaning could be. The chorus though I think refers to the obsession with some musical acts today. "Think less but see it grow, like a ride, like a riot oh!" is about the legions of fans obsessed with an act that may not really be that talented (I think of young pop groups, backstreet boys of the late 90s, maybe Miley Cyrus today?). At the same time though the singer knows its a ride that they just have to sit back and not think about too much, because he knows the fame comes and goes (one hit wonders, or the backstreet boys today,I have no idea what any of them do now). They won't be easily offended and they will let it go if the mass public suddenly loses interest, or if record execs ask them to make changes. The mess could either be talentless bands and singers, or the compromised finished product when a band and company are just thinking about how to be commercially popular (and possibly bland), and it is sent out to the masses for consumption. The second half of the song could be post-popular boom around an artist, looking back on it and maybe wishing you were still famous, or accepting that it was a passing thing and not try to hold on to it. During the writing of this post I noticed Lizard King had a similar idea, I have to second his interpretation. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.