| Margo Guryan – The Hum Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| I used to have this song, then my computer went to electro-heaven and took the track with it. I can't find it anywhere. | |
| Andrew Bird – Cataracts Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I see light pouring out of a cat's eyes like waterfalls(cataracts). Since people see the dark as an dangerous thing, they might act out of fear. Fight. Some will try to hurt you and deceive you, while others have their own agendas. The cat is a creature who travels in the dark with grace and stealth. When a light is before them, their eyes glow. Light flows outward. I do think that the word cataracts is meant both ways. Clouded eyes and waterfalls. Maybe since he is seeing the world through "blurry vision"(doesn't see what others see), it acts as an aid when he sees an answer. Illumination. |
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| Andrew Bird – Heretics Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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The laughable idea of Heaven and Hell. How religion has been used in attempt to control how we live, to scare people into living a "righteous" life in fear of burning for eternity. There is no afterlife, but give living more credit. Just because there is nothing after living doesn't make living pointless. It can be fun. I thought post-natal just meant your step closer to death. |
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| Andrew Bird – Tables and Chairs Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| Btw, the apocalypse is probably happening right now. | |
| Andrew Bird – Tables and Chairs Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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It seems to me that he is telling his lover that their physical world doesn't matter anymore. Your friends are only part of this world and fickle by nature, even if they don't flake out on you right at this moment. Yes, the earth is falling apart, and global warming is caused by the people who live on earth. Then he goes back to his "friends" who are indulgently "drinking roses from the can". Plainly stealing the world's beauty. Careless. He wishes he had helped them grow, but it is a little late now, especially since he already made up his mind about leaving them behind now. He feels that he and his lover are being held down by them.-"We were mild." mild-not as strong as you could be... he and his lover are holding themselves back, but they grew tired of it. They knew they could be better. He explains that things will crumble but the quaint aspects of the physical world will still exist, but they'll be alright together. In their minds. Their "wits" will overpower all that will happen around them. They don't need the physical protection of "survival kits" and "butterfly knives", instead adderal(and probably other mind manipulating substances) is a more appropriate weapon of defense for them. To protect their minds(souls). Then he playfully humors his lover with the "there will be snacks". A clever joke. He is above the destruction of the physical world. The joke is a display of mental strength and proving that he is not defeated by what is happening around him. They'll be happy together and can laugh about it all in their high-conscience. |
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| Andrew Bird – Skin Is, My Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Could someone break down what the title means for me then? Cause I'm pretty confident with my interpretation of the lyrics, but I don't quite understand the title. Skin-- back to facades and etc. It's the first word. First thing you see. "My" is the last word. Initially, he puts how is perceived first(skin), and the real him in the possessive "my"(the direct indicator of the author) is secondary. What should be My Skin is becomes Skin is, My. He is protecting himself. Yes? No? Other ideas? I really wish people would use this site more. To understand and discuss these words helps them to not be neglected. Andrew Bird crafts such intricate words together and is truly a poet. His work deserves much more thought and recognition. |
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| Andrew Bird – Skin Is, My Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Okay, so looking back at what I wrote... The theme sits between... facades-exterior, superficial, instant gratification, obsessions with ideas real love-inner being, character, patience, the real thing rather than the blown up desperate idea |
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| Andrew Bird – Skin Is, My Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Sorry, I didn't read the comments before interpreting to avoid anyone's influence on how I read the words. If I say the same thing as everyone else, I apologize. "my skin is white as parchment drier than a downtown office building where the air is tight there's time spent resting on her bones waiting for the telephone to ring ba-ring ba-ring ba-ring . . . bo-ring bo-ring bo-ring . . . " His exterior personality is dry, cold, confined, and this is how he is seen. Physically, he doesn't see the sun much because he spends so much time in his office. He is involved with a youthful girl, and time is sweet and not rushed. -This was just my first impression, and I am unsure of this interpretation. He is in bed with her... Either waiting for the phone, but since Andrew likes wordplay, he could be waiting for her to whisper something interesting in his ear(like the child's game Telephone). If that is the case, it cold imply that he wants to misinterpret her words, like believe a lie about intimacy. "my skin is cold as her toes on the bathroom floor run back to bed and slam the door oh what a lovely sound oh how it shakes the ground oh what a lovely" She slams the door? Sounds really aggressive and inconsiderate. I mean, if you've been lying in bed together, it was close and quiet. She rudely slams the door, which metaphorically could mean emotionally shuts him out. Uncaring. Indifference. But somehow he loves this about her. Maybe because he himself knows that she meant nothing to him as well. Or maybe he just likes how dramatic she is. Either way, this does stick with the growing theme of facades. "skin is my it's the only thing that doesn't really fly in my land and love is my love is it's the only thing that butterfly in Thailand" He doesn't care for facades and surface falseness. Love is a beautiful thing that is free, and it's what works for him in his "land". His world. Butterflies are in some cultures symbolic of love, and apparently in Thailand, butterflies are printed everywhere and seen as a lifestyle. Freedom, love, lifestyle. "let it be printed on every t-shirt in this land on the finest of cottons and the hippest of brands in bolder letters than the capital I it's the only thing it's the only thing it's the only lonely whoa" Like I said, Thailand uses butterflies on a lot of things. Underwear, tattoos, etc. Love is the only thing that matters. Something worthy of idolization/worship and something to strive for. Capital I. Like on things that say "I love you," the word LOVE is written large. The idea is larger than the person saying it. So it is something bigger than you, and it's the only thing that matters. "It's the only lonely woe"-It's a festering obsession to have it. When you don't have it you are lonely and distressed. Oh, woe is me! You are overly dramatic about it. Sulking. Like the untrue yet popular idea that you can't be somebody without someone. You aren't complete. "my skin is white as parchment drier than a downtown office building where the air is tight there's time spent waiting for that macrame bird of prey to come down and sing la-ling la-ling la-ling oh what a lovely sound" He returns from his deep thoughts about the obsession with finding love. He is still in this woman's bed. He is not in love with her and realizes it's not the end of the world. He'll just keep waiting. The imagery of the "macrame bird of prey" is love being cute/carefully-crafted yet swift and will consume him. The knots might suggest union and a structure of permanence... But macrame items might be delicate? I'm not sure about their durability. Maybe when made right, it is strong. Anyways, he isn't in love with the girl he slept with. It's not the end of the world. He is patiently waiting, and real love has a far sweeter song than this girl's uninterested and uninteresting character. |
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| Andrew Bird – A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Overprescribed Under the mister We had survived to Turn on the History Channel And ask our esteemed panel Why are we alive? And here's how they replied You're what happens when two substances collide And by all accounts you really should have died Stretched out on a tarmac Six miles south of North Platte He can't stand to look back Sixteen tons of hazmat It's what goes undelivered Undelivered It's a nervous tic motion of the head to the left It's a nervous tic motion of the head to the left Of the what, of the head to the left So exercise yourselves to your bereft 'Cause it's a nervous tic motion of the head to the left of the, of the, to the Splayed out on a bath mat Six miles north of South Platte He just wants his life back What's in that paper nap sack It's what goes undelivered Undelivered It's a nervous tic motion of the head to the left A nervous tic motion of the head Head to the left It's a nervous tic motion of the, of the, to the Left It's a nervous tic motion of the head to the, of the, of the head of the head to the Over imbibed Under the mister Barely alive we cover the blisters in flannel Though the words we speak are banal Now one of them's a lie Now one of them's a lie You're what happens when two substances collide And by all accounts you really should have died Overall, I think the song is about compliance with a complacent authority. An authority that "overprescribes" a mindset that tells you that "you are lucky to be here[by mere chance, because the odds were ultimately against your creation. it took that specific sperm to collide with that egg to make you.)]. Science says so." We live in this dull lives, watching the History Channel. Watching biographies and historical events rather than making are own lives interesting. "16 tons of hazmat"-sticking with the creation of life theme, I feel like it could be waste from a hospital. "undelivered, undelivered"- which makes me think it is more specifically aborted material OR I'm actually leaning more toward miscarriages... (I apologize for the imagery... because if you don't see it, I probably just seem disgusting right about now.) So it appears to me that the man drives a truck that transports massive amounts of those types of hospital waste. At this point, I'm thinking the nervous tic motion is a cringe. This emotion is something he feels he may has numbed out, so it's a rare emotional moment about what his job actually is. "exercise yourselves to your bereft" For your well-being, you are reacquainting yourself with grief of those lost(miscarried). The man doesn't want to lose this feeling... Often people less than human when they can't feel grief. It's like the thin line between professionalism and coldness. Since drug use seems to be the consensus among many interpreters, I could say that the bathroom seen is a reference to drugs. This is his home life. He gets high to find more meaning in life. To be a witness to some spiritual occurrence, but he remains "undelivered". So now the tic isn't just a cringe, it is physical reaction to the substance he uses. Notice that the line about bereavement isn't there anymore. He doesn't feel bad anymore. He took too much, and if he is still in the bathroom, the "mister" could now mean the shower, where the "mister" previously could've meant the man in charge(authority). He feels near death and emotionally stunned. He gets dressed and covers physical and emotional "blisters". Blisters are usually signs of overworking sensitive hands and etc, so he is covering the physical evidence of the drugs and the emotional strain. "Though the words we speak are banal Now one of them's a lie Now one of them's a lie" Ugh, so this last bit should be the thing that I get right away, but I don't. My guess is that he is saying... Yes, I am here by chance, but no, I don't have to feel lucky just to be here. If I was meant to be dead, I WOULD be dead. I could've died today, but I'm still miserably here. Undelivered, nonetheless. |
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| Sleigh Bells – Tell 'Em Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I feel like when you really read the lyrics it all becomes so obvious. I hope it doesn't seem redundant that I post these interpretations. It upsets me when people say that lyrics mean nothing, because obviously they do mean SOMETHING. At the same time, some people either overanalyze the content or just misinterpret it altogether. I do it, too, but I just want to get my word in and hopefully help someone form an opinion about a song's meaning rather than dismiss it's lyrics completely. Doesn't seem fair to the song or the artist. |
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| Sleigh Bells – Tell 'Em Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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It's like saying what the hell are we to do with these kids now? They don't even bother to think about their actions. ("Do you really wanna be that way?") There is room for positive change. She is urging them to listen, but struggles to get their attention (let me say, let me say, let me say...). She is asking twice. (Like adults say, do I have to ask you twice?!) The kids don't listen, so what's left to say... "Did you do your best today?" Girls, did you do your best today? (girls are often SEEN as angelic and innocently in need of direction, so she'll ask them still. hopefully.) Boys? Oh, god. I won't ask, and I don't want to know what you've been doing. (cause boys tend to be SEEN as mischievous and naughty. young boys? immature. etc. so she looks away.) Then she asks,"Can we (indeed look away)?" When all this is happening: cocaine, champagne, cocaine, champagne... Expensive narcotics. The word "narcotic" points to numbing substances and painkillers, so like numbing your life. The two substances are very indulgent. "You better just measure it, you better just measure him." Well, if I can't stop you, at least be safe about it. Don't take too much(measure it). Measure him- consider him carefully, like judging character, make sure he isn't a horrible person. I guess, that might refer to avoiding sleazy boyfriends or bad friends. "Let me say, let me say..." Oh, and one last thing, you COULD do your best. It can start today. I made the song sound a little PSA, but it's really just the narrator stepping forward and being real about it all. |
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| Sleigh Bells – Riot Rhythm Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Straight A students? They tend to congregate with other "smart" people, even if you don't have much in common. ("She's okay." You two claim to be "best friends" but aren't actually close. Perhaps emotionally.) "Have you had a smile today?" Having to ask yourself like as a regimented reminder to "be happy". Like an instructed social norm. Go to class. Behave. "play for keeps"-"you take things very seriously and the outcome is very important to you; it is not a mere game."(from usingenglish.com) "Dear heart..." etc. Not very clear on what the lyrics are, but judging from what is posted... This student is pushing forward. I guess, it might be about the social life you sacrifice to get ahead. "Not heaven or hell." People aren't black and white, so it's reassuring to know that you don't belong with one or the other (for instance, high-acheivers vs. average and etc.... Nerds vs. Popular/Jock All-stars... Stereotyped groups.) Take the lightning. Quick insults. "Just like riot rhythm" riot-duel meaning... an uproar. the masses. The riot can be the majority or unconcerned, animalistic, wild teenagers. (which to me verifies my theory of the beach in "Rachel" as the mass majority/wild youth, because a synonym of "riot" is "sea". Sea of people. The difference is in the outlook of the two songs. This one's take is a very army-like, structured look at... education? Kind of like brainwashing. The idea of manufacturing humans to think and live a certain way.) "You gotta march." Push forward, but stay undetectable and in line... most likely so that you can make no trouble and get out of there. "Straight A kids like a treat. She stands up and takes the heat." Okay, this one goes a few ways for me. High-acheivers kind of tend to find answering questions in class gratifying. At some schools(like I'm thinking of uniform, Catholic school type), when you speak or answer a question you must stand. She is speaking in class and is... a.) got the answer wrong or just stood up out of habit but finds that she had no answer and "takes the heat"-incompetence b.) goes back to being bullied, get called a teacher's pet or ass kisser or nerd(something negative) c.) this one is a bit different from the previous two. it suggests that the whole time she was questioning her routine life of hitting the books hard and associating with people who are smart but are otherwise uninteresting. She is finding different views within herself and is straying from what she has been conditioned to think. She stands up/fights for her new beliefs and is scolded for stepping out of line. The change of heart feeling are suggested in the "have you had a smile today?" and "have you ever felt that way?" both second lines in the verse. Thoughts? A, B, or C? D, all of the above? |
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| Sleigh Bells – A/B Machines Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I thought this was about Plan A gun and the secret Plan B one that you have secretly. Or used more figuratively. But the A and B referred to "plan a" and "plan b". On the table- out in the open, easiest thing to get to, right in front of you in the drawer- hidden, but still there nonetheless. |
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| Sleigh Bells – Rachel Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Ehh... I guess it could be a DXM trip, but even so, I feel like there are always hidden meaning in our dreams. I'll give it a swing. It's some sort of plea to this girl named Rachel. My thing is, what does the beach symbolize? I think of summer and careless youth. A very typical sight of happy youth. Flaunting themselves in swimsuits. Ultimately, the beach is like indulgence in your youth/carefree(like the fifties stereotype of teenagers). The narrator is more uncertain. Maybe self-conscience. Maybe afraid of the ocean. Sunburn. More critical, but since she sighs, she's either tired of that scene or actually wants to go but just can't bring themselves to go because of all their negativity. Time goes by, things change. The "oohs" kind of go into an ominous tone. The narrator gives in and decides to join her to "the beach", but summer is over(dead leaves, autumn.). Things have changed. Everything isn't like before and is now dull or withered. Rinsing fish. Maybe since the seasons changed they couldn't swim, but try to make the best of their time at "the beach" by doing something more practical but less cheery and glamourous(fishing). They make do, but are unsatisfied and regret not having taken advantage of the summer. They'll live with their decisions, and every night dream of what could've been. Yeah, my interpretation is out there, but I definitely tried. |
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| Sleigh Bells – Infinity Guitars Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I'm just putting this out there so if anyone who gets where I'm going could lay it out for everyone a bit better. Deaf chords, dead ends [chords are some that are to be harmonious, but deaf implies that the notes are indifferent to each other... loud. Like an argument/dispute that doesn't add up or make sense. The dispute goes nowhere; dead ends.] Sling set can't meet their demands [their weapons(in this case, words) aren't as damaging as they'd like] Dumb whores, best friends [frenemies? Yes, yes, Sleigh Bells is very high school. We know.] Infinity guitars, go 'head [guitars make the chords, so I guess they are the people who are dueling... fighting. go 'head=have at it.] (physically aggressive vs. internal battles) Street wars, straight men [violence on the streets, gangs. "straight" men? I was thinking of homophobia? Like guys who have to make it clear that they are straight... more typical high school behavior.] Cowboys, Indians [out for blood(cowboys-glorified icons) vs. the attacked(Indians-the less politically correct term for Native Americans)] Red souls, red friends [red=aggressive, violent, blood-thirsty souls, red=derogatorily used to refer the color of a native american's skin. prejudice hit about appearance... "friends" is sort of contradictory to the slur... goes back to a frenemy/backstabbing mindset.] Infinity guitars, go 'head As you can see my line for line interpretation kind of goes somewhere, but I can't seem to tie it all together. Obviously conflict is involved and drawing parallels with other themes.... Implicit. Explicit. |
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| The Acorn – Lullaby (Mountain) Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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I'm really bad with interpreting lyrics... but this is her saying goodbye, right? She is leaving this life, but she will always be there and inside of him...? |
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| Jeremy Messersmith – A Girl, A Boy, and a Graveyard Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| I really love this song... | |
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