| MGMT – An Orphan of Fortune Lyrics | 10 years ago |
|
To me, this song shouts "bipolar disorder." I have a bipolar mom, and I myself am a very sensitive individual who's susceptible to similar disorders. Bipolar disorder is one's tendency to swing between melancholic (depressive) and manic (hyperactive) ends of the emotional spectrum. It depends of the severity of the disorder, but what most people don't realize is that the shift is not always acute; people can remain on either end of the spectrum for days, weeks, months, or years. I shouldn't imply that Andrew has bipolar disorder because I don't know him, but his lyrics lead me to believe that at the very least, he's a very sensitive person. In "Alien Days," he sings, "Today, find infinite ways it could be plenty worse, how it's a blessing but it's also a curse." To me, he's stating that he's fortunate to have the kind of mind he does, but at the same time, there's an added layer of difficulty for him. Kay Jamison, a psychologist with bipolar disorder, wrote a pretty influential book on the disease called, "Touched With Fire." She makes a very strong case for a link between the manic state of mind and heightened creativity. I think it's possible that Andrew is an example of this. And in An Orphan of Fortune, I think every line can be used to make this case. "It can't stop now The signs keep changing on me Like a shimmering bell Long waves enveloping me And my plastic mind, so chewed and shrieking all the time feels it whirling by Morning, afternoon then night, and I can't get down" Andrew has been in a manic state of mind for a while now, but his emotions are shifting for the nth time and he just doesn't know what to believe. These long waves and states of emotion have been consuming him for as long as he can remember, and every day they spin his mind around and grind it down. He wants to be even keeled, settled and balanced, but he can't get down. "If I don't feel right polishing off the sand, Lay by me and we'll erode as gently as we can, Into twilight" Medication can help smooth him out, but it doesn't feel right to lull and dull his emotions. It's not right to cover up our sorrowful hope; we would be hiding ourselves from reality. We must accept the fact that our society and our world are decaying and degrading, and we must feel with it and for it. |
|
| The Beatles – Golden Slumbers Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| This song makes me feel like a child, and cry like a child. | |
| MGMT – I Love You Too, Death Lyrics | 11 years ago |
|
This song might be the most beautiful song MGMT has written. I think this song is open to many, many interpretations. I first envisioned it very abstractly as an invitation to an alien to feel what we feel, as humans. But my view has changed to something much less more abstract as of late, having been heartbroken by my ex. I think the song is an expression of growth and decay in relationships, and it's about how we feel as the cycle repeats itself. This song evidences how far Andrew's writing has come, and how far their music production skills have evolved; the lyrics are brilliant and the emotions this song radiates are overwhelming. "Who is much more than a friend, but never by my side? All beginnings are an end, in the blackness there’s a light" Having a connection with someone that is much deeper than just friendship would indicate. Deciding not to capitalize on that connection, but holding out hope that one day it might work. "Let’s go camping in the cold, make a fire, buy a tent Envision leather getting old, re-send pigeons that were sent" Wanting to get back together again. Notice the uplifting sound, and how the sound "sparks a fire" after the second line. Imagining the future of the relationship, but then realizing that the signals being sent to each other haven't changed from the first go around. How will this time be any different? "Turn my back against the sea, and beg the serpent for a dance But in the red dirt muddy towns, celebration of the dark" One lover turning their back on the other, and leaving, but wanting them to come back. The lover doesn't return, and the lonely one cries in pain. A long, enveloping "celebrations" is sung out to comfort you, while you cry in pain. MGMT understands your pain, and they want to take it away from you. "I can’t touch you only once, you always leave me wanting more So keep my feet within the house, and stick my toes just past the door" This can't be the end. We've always needed each other. I'll keep close by, just close enough to welcome your return. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.