| Oceansize – Unfamiliar Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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What an amazing group. Vennart really is a brilliant lyricist. So much thought he is able to conjure up. I feel the song has to do with the effects of trauma, whether it be from war or some other catastrophic event that flips your whole world view, making things afterwards seem unfamiliar, no matter how important they might've been at one point. The subject is having a hard time moving on from this life altering event -- no reassurance seems to work, and everything he/she once held dear seems obsolete. Instead, they bury their feelings deep, and put on a facade of silence. |
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| Oceansize – SuperImposer Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| its about trolling and anonymous bravado. | |
| Pain of Salvation – Beyond The Pale Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| Daniel explains it as a journey to discover what freedom truly is, and he wrote it at a time in his life when he was struggling in his relationship. The romantic notion is to stay with someone through thick and thin, but this is not easily done for we are much more human than we wish to be. Numerous alternate scenarios are explored: What if he chose to go down remedy lane and leave his wife? what if he pursued his own selfish desires in lieu of hers? What if he allowed his anger to gain the better judgement? often couples are hesitant to explore sex after such a traumatic experience, the male blaming himself for what occurred, which can result in the wife feeling inadequate and isolated, perhaps seeking the company of someone else to fulfill her needs. these are all selfish, base desires, but they are a part of human nature, and this is what Daniel is getting at I think. The ages he speaks of don't point to pedophilia or underage acts of coitus necessarily, they are aspects of human sexual awareness, his and hers. Obviously, he and his wife were able to overcome this obstacle as they have had children since, so I don't think everything he speaks of actually took place, they are dramatic licenses the author took in order to better deal with his grief. | |
| Genesis – Cul-de-Sac Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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This song represents the idea of falling from prominence or fame, and the stubbornness/reluctance in the aftermath to change with the times and otherwise risk become a marginalized, alienated cul-de-sac on the highway of life. I'm not sure I completely agree with it being a commentary on the nature of the music industry at the time, but there is certainly a good deal of validity to it. The subject matter of all the songs on the album in some way points to failed relationships due to pride, arrogance, naivete, scorn, regret and doubt. Phil was going through a rough divorce at the time, and while there was much chagrin about genesis' transformation from prog giants to MTV icons, I don't know if the band members were too conscious of how proggy or anti-proggy they were, or if they even really made a great deal about it. I could be wrong. The term "progressive" rock was an idea or state of mind about music continually seeking newer plateaus, and to those who considered themselves originators of the movement, it makes sense to think of Duke as just another part of a progression, a maturation phase. It only later on became a style with defining characteristics (song length, instruments, time signatures, sci-fi lyrics, etc.) This of course is just my interpretation. Groups in the late 70s and early 80s benefited from affordable technology that allowed them to more easily realize and test out newer/crazier sounds that would inspire songs, with istruments such as synthesizers and/or drum machines being prime examples. Prior to that one had to be a mad scientist to create sounds comparable, or resort to things like using medieval instruments or bizarre orchestras of theremins and sitars. These sorts of explorations were (while elaborate and unique) costly and cumbersome, forcing record execs to look elsewhere and fans/critics to label them pompous. The audience determined the content, and Genesis would accept this fact and progress accordingly and did not see the development negatively at the time. It all depends on how you choose to define progressive rock; groups like Rush and King Crimson changed their sound, and yet I would argue much of what they did during the 1980s achieved more success than anything they did during the 70s, all while maintaining a great deal of their proggy roots. Also, IMHO British heavy metal continued to carry the attitude and virtuosity of what originally belonged to 70s progressive rockers; dragons and wizards became demons and sorcerers, dueling keyboard and guitar became dueling guitars, and all the lead singers in those groups were one way or another channeling their inner Mercury, Gabriel, Lee and Plant. The death of prog hypothesis does have a lot of merit Mattowarrior. I would definitely cite this album as one of the last successful hurrahs of progressive rock, at least from a mainstream perspective. I just don't think this song or the album was consciously trying to express that sentiment. MTV changed the game, and many groups had difficulty adjusting their sound, wanting to be accessible and significant and yet remain unique. My guess is Genesis struggled with this as much as any group at the time, and made decisions they thought were artistically tasteful and that would hold up to intense scrutiny from prog purists and and new fans alike. |
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| Radiohead – No Surprises Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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This song is connected to the concepts outlined in Fitter Happier. The line "you look so tired, unhappy" suggests the complete and utter jadedness of an individual who has lived a life following a tenet which produces an outcome they didn't expect. They are distraught, suicidal, angry, numb. Whats interesting to me is how the end of the song speaks of a pretty home and a pretty garden. Home represents many things (i.e., solace, shelter, identity, family, familiarity), yet regardless of what it might be specifically, the protaganist is uplifted by it; it is the only line in the song without a shred of negativity, unless he is attempting irony, though IMHO I don't believe TY is trying to convey that. the protagonist is discovering the kernel of a newfound realization, a return to Eden but not in the religious sense, but the idea of a simpler existence where man is free from societal pressures and connected to a greater abstract, whether its nature, individual paradise, Zen, aliens, call it whatever you like. |
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| Oceansize – New Pin Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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My initial thought was drawn to the idea of a new pin not only being a drug reference, which certainly makes sense, but of a trophy metaphor as well (an "ornament"). People collect pins as a means of displaying them. A new pin in this case would refer to a new exploit, accomplishment, or prize (politicians campaign buttons, military stripes, celebrity awards, etc.). The line "but its all for you" and it's subsequent refrains seem mocking or self-reassuring depending on the context, suggesting the character's skewed and/or aggrandized sense of reality. "Kings" and "queens" throughout history have been known to display wealth and use their platforms to acquire more and more "ornaments", proclaiming humility to their people while neglecting them, and alienating themselves from others. Here, the lyrical perspective is male, suggesting women or "queens" might be ornaments as well (just look at Henry VIII). The parallels between drug addiction and wealth addiction are compelling. Severe drug addiction's course involves diminishing euphoric effects as the dosage increases with each mainline. As this continues, it can lead to alienation, poor health, crime, depression, overdose and ultimately death. Wealth acquisition is like any other addiction or obsession. Once it becomes excessive, the high becomes less and less intense, requiring greater amounts, which can lead to unfortunate events (i.e. infidelity, paranoia, greed, erratic behavior, bankruptcy, revolts, murder, suicide). History is full of examples of prominent figures who become so alienated by their own obsessions, they go mad, lose control over their obsessions, and make terrible choices that undermine their reputations, all the while never realizing their courses of action as it relates to their own mortality. The use of the word "gospels" points the finger squarely at Christianity, a religion with its own history of opulence and influence. Anger is expressed towards Christianity's lies, lies that may have been believed by the character at one point. Now, they are "tactless sentiments", "a new pain", which suggests an older pain. This pain could be the absence of the one he misses the most, the source of his obsession (perhaps a loved one, power, happiness, drugs, etc.). In this context, "and its all for you" becomes melancholy. In summation, I think the song is about a person who alienates himself and his obsession(s) from others, justifying his obsession(s) as he struggles with his own pain and conscience, all the while finding no solace in what he once believed because of the pain. The only escape is his obsession. "So I got all these things, but so what? In the end you can't take them with you." |
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| Radiohead – My Iron Lung Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| What if the Iron lung is a scuba tank, one that can only provide enough oxygen before you must arrive to the surface. And now its running out of oxygen, forcing you to ascend. But rather than realize this (or maybe you do?), you stay exactly where you are and milk it for everything it's worth till its empty, leaving you two options: drown or feel the bends as you attempt to go back to the surface. | |
| Radiohead – High and Dry Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| That is to say true love's value, which not everyone can figure out or misinterpret to be something else. | |
| Radiohead – High and Dry Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| This is a song about love and not recognizing it's value, and regretting the moments where you could've realized its importance. The Knievel and drug references are valid in terms of the imagery and density of the subject matter (fame, escape, paranoia, emotional detachment), but only scratch the surface: make love when everything is turning to shit. In fact the entire album is connected to this theme throughout, whether its love with regards to a family member, friend, loved one, idea, or most importantly yourself. It does not necessarily mean the ability to perform it on a sexual level, for their are plenty of parapalegics and others who can't perform, yet they still love others unconditionally without having the ability. Some might view that as unfortunate, but the important thing is that they don't necessarily think so and are better for it. Things can get fucked up, and its easy to dwell on what you don't have or can't do, and condemn or pity others who don't do what you think is right or wrong, but ultimately it's all about perceiving the love that can exist within yourself. Don't leave others High and Dry. Don't leave yourself High and Dry. | |
| Radiohead – High and Dry Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| Thank you for that. I was waiting for someone to hit the nail on the head. | |
| Porcupine Tree – Time Flies Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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The narrator in verse 1 is referring to his youth and its simplicity, the chorus suggesting he is longing for more, and he'll take anything he can get. verse 2 shows our narrator paraphrasing the words of a woman he is to dance with. Dancing is a very personal moment that occurs often in adolescence; it's usually where we first encounter members of the opposite sex in such an intimate setting. It can also be a moment where time seems to stop or slow down depending on how much we like the other person, and in the case of the narrator, he seems to like this woman very much. The second chorus repeats the first suggesting his haste for the future perhaps, thus breaking the moment, all the while adding a reminiscent if not portentous line about his feelings for her. After some "time" and menacing music, the narrator indicates his existential frustration of where he's ended up in life, pointing to his family and career, which leads into the last verse, where he is drinking, despondent, confused and can't stand the smell of cigar smoke. The last repeat of the chorus sums up his sentiments about how time has passed, perhaps this time with a bit more optimism to move on, while further reminiscing on that one moment in life where it all seemed right. This is an allegory as to what can change when time flies and you're unaware; the feelings of promise, hope, innocence and familiarity we possess can change to regret, fear, baggage and confusion when we become desperate or impatient ("grab whatever comes to you"), whether it's regarding a relationship, career, or any other life choice. Paradoxically, being upbeat and taking charge can be the best solution in dealing with our problems ("nothing ever happens if you don't make it happen, and if you can't laugh than smile"), but our narrator is finding it difficult to do so. If we think of the musical references, they paint an interesting picture. Both Sgt. Pepper and Are You Experienced? were seminal albums that pointed to emergences. Hendrix became a sensation with his playing, changing the role of guitar in pop music, and the Beatles' were in the process of turning a corner stylistically, helping to usher in psychedelic music, all while creating a fictitious band name and mythology (Porcupine Tree?). If the "cigar" is considered a Pink Floyd allusion, "Have a Cigar" was on Wish You Were Here, an album far more cynical in tone with its portrayal of a burnt out, jaded rock star (Syd Barret) whose former band members were still trying to understand the circumstances that had brought about his demise. Another artifact to mention in this song is the concept of musical time, which in this song is played with very creatively. The rhythm can be felt as either straight 6/4 (3/4 +3/4) a la a waltz, or a jig-like 12/8 with 4/4 dotted quarter notes (3/8 + 3/8 + 3/8 + 3/8). Steven makes mention of dancing as in verse 2, and also asks the question "How does time break down?". While the rhythmic components may be more attributed to Gavin and Colin, it nonetheless indicates just how insightful and multi-layered Porcupine Tree actually is. A very dense and beautiful piece of music, one that was written by an articulate and insightful group of musicians whose sense of musical history is inspiring. If only more music was as dynamic, modern and revelatory as this, we'd all be better for it. |
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