| PJ Harvey – The Life and Death of Mr. Badmouth Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| Lyrics don't have to contain some overly deep meaning or references for the music to be quite good overall or to express deep feeling, imho. And, in this song's case, she obviously doesn't want to waste words on the person anymore than what it takes to relay the feeling. | |
| MGMT – Electric Feel Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| you all are almost as bad as the ppl commenting on Elliott Smith songs....the song could be about ANYTHING..but what's the most likely scenario in context of the artist and the lyrics.. Sometimes it's not so obvious as with ES, but his history speaks for itself.....still, I said "almost as bad" ;-) Cheers to good music!! | |
| Arcade Fire – We Used to Wait Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| drmn nailed it. while the second, alternate opinion can not be invalidated and has merit in itself, i feel it is way too futuristic to be anywhere near what the mind that wrote this song is referencing. opinions are always appreciated but having a similar point of reference as the song writer(s) can really take lots of subjectivity out by giving a frame of reference. for example, take the song title 'we used to wait' .. and the absurdity of corporate jobs is correlated. Yes..but a stretch only truly understood by someone having experienced the concept of waiting. people haven't waited in years. life in general is out of control, we aren't living it anymore..we need things like this to wake that brain up. wait for it. | |
| Elliott Smith – Needle in the Hay Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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The song is about, specifically, heroin addiction and the associated withdrawal. For those having gone through such experiences, it would be crystal clear. Strung out and thin...trying to cash some check: the addict will do anything to not feel like total ass and go through withdrawals. The drug becomes more important than food and the top priority. He's acting dumb, that's what you've come to expect: it's nothing new, once a heroin addict, always a heroin addict. I don't recommend it. Nothing anyone says to you can affect your relationship with the drug...period. Needle in the hay: word play about how trivial we, and our lives, truly are [unless you're a total badass like ES]. Dual meaning with needle being the rig you shoot up with, again, trivial in the overall scope of existence. He's wearing your clothes, a reaction to you: the relationship between dealer and addict can be complex, especially if the dealer is also an addict and you were actually friends in the former life.. You don't have a clue: a majority of listeners will never truly understand anything ES ever went through. Fortunately, the lyrics are so vague as to transcend drug use/addiction and depression via piece mail assembly and the complex nature of the English language. ES was probably the greatest lyricist of recent times. Now on the bus, nearly touching this dirty retreat: he's headed down to get a fix, which is the dirty retreat.. Falling out, 6th and Powell, a dead sweet in my teeth: he gets off the bus at 6th/Powell to then walk the four more blocks and go downstairs to meet his dealer which will, in turn, get rid of that horrid sweat. Falling out verbally located where it is in the lyrics leads me to believe that it's just withdrawal pain and delirium getting off the bus. Plus the one in my brain is in reference to the mental journey and justification that goes along with all of this. Again, if you haven't experienced it, you will never understand...it's not glamorous, it's hell. I can't beat myself, and I don't want to talk: he knows he shouldn't be doing heroin, it's so bad, but you feel so good [normal] once you get that fix that it seems justified [it's not..]. I'm taking the cure so I can be quiet whenever I want: The "cure" is heroin because it instantly takes the withdrawals away enabling him to control himself once again...and sleep and function in society for just alittle bit longer. I'm getting good marks: this could be a reference to the fact that he was successful, despite his multiple addictions, once again justifying the life he leads. If one can function to the standards of society [not to say they aren't totally twisted..], then what's the problem??? It's probably a dual reference to the track marks on arms due to repeated exposure to the rig/point/needle/gun. It's been said before [and I haven't read all 9 pages of comments] that the beauty of interpretation is that we can all associate with what he's saying. I fully agree. All my interpretations may not be spot on but I guarantee this song was written about heroin. King's Crossing is another brilliant song specifically referencing heroin use integrated into life. Cheers! |
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