| Okkervil River – The Latest Toughs Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| Great interpretation of my second favorite track on this album. Danneskjold, you have a brilliant way of of perceiving things. | |
| Wilco – Art of Almost Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| Great reply, thank you for this brilliant interpretation. | |
| Desaparecidos – Man and Wife, the Latter (Damaged Goods) Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Pretty sure this the wife's lament to her husband. ..then she submits divorce papers and he tries to rekindle the marriage. It's also hinted in the last line "The words are damaged goods/That I what I am". If you look closely at the song's title, you'll catch my drift here. Fucking kickass song. |
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| Ryan Adams – Carolina Rain Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I think bluetangled got the closest interpretation to the song's literal meaning. I don't think the narrator or Rose were ever involved romantically though, so question the accuracy of the narrator being involved with her at any point in the story. Rose seems more like a "busy body" who probably knew too much about the nattor's involvement with Caroline. I think the line about "a ton of worry" just means the town grew fearful of the damage caused by the quarrey dig. Now...there does seem to be at some point in the tale where Rose, Caroline and the narrator got entangled with some mess involving Aldermann - this part is extremely ambigious, but essentially Rose got spooked and narc'd on the narrator and/or Caroline. The narrator definitely gets shot at the end of this tale, and as bluetangled mentioned I'm fairly certain his spirit is still lingering 'round the banquet hall', and there's an interesting lyrical homophone parallel happening between "Carolina Rain" and "Oh Caroline" which leads me to believe Caroline is shedding tears for her lost love. Over the past couple months I stumbled across this tune thanks to Grooveshark, and have to say that not only is the songwriting musically poignant, but the story is so deep that it gives you a lot to sink your teeth into. Only further solidifying Adams's genius, in my mind. I kinda wish he wrote more work like this, as it's brilliant. |
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| Ryan Adams – Rocks Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| This tune gives me goosebumps it's so well orchestrated and performed. Very uplifting tune, not sure on the specific meaning (if there is any) but it's like a wish for peace and joy from someone with an emphatic, albeit distant, heart. | |
| Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| Love this album. Adams is really channeling Bob Dylan on this one. | |
| Interpol – Pace Is the Trick Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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Personally, I don't feel this song is about any distinct scenario or situation (i.e. the jaded lovers, or any sort of typical romantic entanglement the lads of Interpol love to write about). Instead, I feel this tune is a message to women - perhaps the sharing of knowledge from a consummate or new leaf turning over, predator ("corruption in man"). Almost like if we were privy to this anthropologist's ("we angels") take on human mating habits, and advising a would-be female on how to correct her behavior to be more successful. There's a second perspective, possibly given in first person, for the suiting male ("I see you as..."). --- Breakdown of this interpretation by lyrics: "You can't hold it too tight These matters of security" - Long term relationship, maybe marriage? ----- "Well it's like sleaze in the park You women, you have no self-control We angels remark outside You are known for insatiable needs But I don't know a thing" - Doing whatever it takes to 'get the guy' even if it means whoring yourself out or tossing aside one's personal beliefs. 'Insatiable needs' may be a jab at the sometimes attributed materialism of the fairer sex. Note the very withdrawn third person perspective of "we angels" - the interpretors of this scenario or behavior. ----- "I've seen love And I follow the speed in the starlight I've seen love And I follow the speed in the star-swept night" - Simply enforcing his credibility for the advice, "I know what works and what doesn't". ----- "Yeah, pace is the trick And to all the corruption in man..." - Go slow, be wary. Men are corrupt, plain and simple - absolute power corrupts absolutely. ----- "I see you as you take your pride, my lioness Your defenses seem wise, I cannot press And attention's at demise, my lioness Can't you hurt it some, I think I hurt it" - You're projecting your defenses and "pride" overwhelmingly. It's too easy to see you for who you truly are, and my attention has faded. ----- "To all the destruction in man... And to all the corruption in my hand..." - Intermingling the third person "angel" narrator to the first person "suitor" perspectives - again calling out man for his propensity of corruption, and also a jaded self-loathing remark to BOTH narrator's own corrupt actions. ----- "And now I select you Slow now, I let you see how I stun Now I select you Slow now, I bet you see how I stun Now I select you Slow now, I let you see how i stun Now I select you Slow now, I let you I always follow the speed in the star-swept night ...you don't hold a candle" - I've picked my prey and I slow down my behavior so you can understand how I "stung" or won the scenario. A little egotistical goading at the end, "You don't hold a candle." My $.02 |
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| Okkervil River – A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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Sheff is a brilliant lyricist, and this song is a testament to that fact. It seems like he's entwining different stories he's read or seen on TV and relaying them to the band's style (or perhaps just for a given tune - maybe a hint at his muse?). Here's the video to this tune if anyone's interested - it's probably one of their biggest budget to date and sounds like pure bliss. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hYi56xDeV8 |
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| Third Eye Blind – Dao of St. Paul Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Loving this tune right now, especially the repeating chorus at the end, its quote magical. To me this song represents a relationship that has been on the rocks for some time but still exists in a fragmented way. Its nearly tragic, but the singer discovers his own reason to sing even if its no longer for the subject of this tune, "For Evermore - Rejoice." The fact that this song is called "Dao" brings to mind the infinite peace ascribed to its religious namesake. And Thor, I have to respectfullu disagree about the way these tunes "end" - the fading chorus only reinforces, to me, that infinite peacefulness inspired. At least, that's my .02 STOKED to see these guys Oct. 2nd! |
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| The Black Maria – To Have Loved Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| damn, i can relate. | |
| Phoenix – Love for Granted Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| I really dig this song. Phoenix can do no wrong to my ears. :] The lead guitar progression flows like water through a sea of crooning waves, and the groovy bass drives this lovely tune. The vocal harmonizing is like buttah. | |
| Splender – Monotone Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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One of my favorite Splender tunes. :] My thoughts on the song's meaning is that it may actually be an internal dialog of the speaker warring with himself, where perhaps "monotone" is a metaphor for his balanced or stable side. As you probably already know a monotone is a single frequency that is unvaried and stable, which for most of us may immediately connotate as something akin to boring or deadpan. Given the point-counterpoint style of the way the verses are delivered in the song, I can't help but think the speaker is trying to kick him self out of his "monotone" and either stand up for himself, or to let go and/or explode. Ironically, after finally "ripping his shirt off" and dealing with his problem(s) - minus losing control - the speaker finally gives back in to his "monotone" side. I'm guessing he either failed in his endeavor when he fell "flat on [his] face" or after saw through what he was trying to achieve and got hurt in the process and needed to regain his stability. The last few lines of the song are the most intriguing to me. I think that perhaps it's a commentary on the duality of human nature..where we can go from crazed to sane in a single instant, and may loathe ourselves for that loss of control or "falling to pieces." We really do have "such a strange design" when you think about it. :] Either way, my $.02 |
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| Dntel – Roll On Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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So far my favorite track on the new album. Jenny Lewis's voice coupled with Figurine's distorted mixing is quite purtiful. My song interpretation: The bittersweet life of a drifter. |
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| Broken Social Scene – It's All Gonna Break Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| this song is all the more amazing when heard live. | |
| Amos Lee – Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I think this song has *possibly* twofold meanings. The first meaning, and I think most obvious, having to be with the singer's sudden rise to notoriety or 'fame,' and simply his reflection on the fact that money does change people (for good or bad). This part is pretty open-ended and I think alludes to the rationalization for potential future lifestyle complications; be it with friends, family, or significant others. In the second stanza of the song you can see him trying to keep himself grounded in the thought that despite however much fame or wealth he's to attain in days to come, he's still a human being ("we all got the same blood flow"), and accountable for his actions (be it from a religious or simply personal perspective) with "every dollar got a deed." The "bridge" of the song (you'll have to forgive me if I'm misusing the term, as I'm no musician) is a hopeful perspective relating to his initial woes over the rise in fame and wealth, saying (he)"we" has a chance to "get it right," or choose the right path and/or lifestyle for himself. I really love the little mantra of "keep it loose, keep it tight." A sort of self-affirming statement to stay true to one's self, I believe. Now for the second half of the song I can better relate to... The singer is definitely "in love with a girl"(the obvious), who's "in love with the world"(the ambiguous). My interpretation of being "in love with the world" to possibly relate to her desire to travel or simply that her life path might be different from his (either she's more successful than him, or stands the potential to be). I think this is about basically waiting for the other shoe to drop, or knowing that the girl won't necessarily stick around with him forever. "and I can't help but follow" has to do with trying to keep pace with someone who's life is moving at a different pace (or perhaps even speed) than his own. Maybe she's more financially successful, more ambitious, or simply luckier than he. Either way, he's trying to stick around for as long as he can (something I'm all too familiar with) before she goes "over the rainbow," or...more simply, away from his life (the depressing prospect, especially for one head over heels for another). The final part of the song really throws me for a loop, mostly due to the words chosen. It almost seems that the second to last stanza may in fact just be negative thinking, and little else. "sometimes we forget who we got/who they are/and who they are not" could mean then that perhaps the girl he's in love with has no desire to leave him, or simply him reflecting on the fact that he's assuming things about her that aren't necessarily so clear-cut and defined or "black and white." In the end, the mantra returns, "keep it loose, keep it tight." Be true to yourself, and don't get caught up over things you can't perceive beyond the distance of your own vision. *Short version: Relax, and just be who you are. Thank you Amos. |
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| Tahiti 80 – A Love From Outer Space Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| this song has a great music video to go with it. | |
| The Long Winters – Pushover Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Is it just me, or is this song (theme and sound) a companion piece for Stupid? "unkind girlish walk/like a deed to the world without a talk" I love it. Far too many of us poor masculine louts are too easy prey for gals (whether you lovely ladies realize it or not). Hormones are such a pisser. |
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| The Long Winters – Ultimatum Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Ya'kno, I can't help but wonder what the "burn leaves" agreement is in reference to. Part of me wants to assume (rather blatantly) that it's about smoking marijuana. However, I believe that with the ploughman part that maybe it has to do with tilling soil? I was never a 4H member, so I really don't know much about such things. Any ideas, anyone? |
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| Cloud Cult – What Comes at the End? Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Boy am I glad I chanced upon this particular band. They're so ridiculously talented, I'm jealous. Anywho...my best interpretation of this song is in it's relation to the concept of death and rebirth (possibly reincarnation) touched upon throughout 'Advice'. The singer shows doubt for the unknown of "what comes at the end," but hopes (or perhaps simply believes) that they'll be reunited again with their friends and lover after they've died. This song is delightfully abstract, and I can appreciate the idea of a sort of eternal bond ("fall in love in our new skin") with someone obviously very dear to the singer. |
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| Nada Surf – Concrete Bed Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| very few songs relate so directly to my current life situation. why do simple things take so many years? | |
| Nada Surf – Always Love Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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zephirum, if i may expand a bit on your comment... I agree with the sentiment of the song carrying the feeling of certainly not dwelling upon hating anyone or thing; but I also do believe the greater message of the song is to "always love" yourself, first and foremost. 'slow demands' being life's trials and tribulations that always occur or 'come around', whilst 'it helps to write it down' could very well relate to the idea of expressing ones feelings in words in order to find some kind of release (and hopefully a sort of spiritual healing). either way, i think the truth in the matter is that, in the long run to life--there's really no point in harboring negativity indefinitely. the song expresses the acknowledgement that we are but human, and we're going to feel down and out at times; but to also try to surmount those feelings in hopes of improving ourselves or to 'aim so high above' our lives and feelings. do what you have to do to get over feeling 'hate'--and move on. life's too short (or too long, depending how you're feeling at the given moment). always love. :) ps. amazing band..please come to florida one of these days guys. |
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| The Shins – New Slang Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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Anyone else think the narrator was a former wanna-be "thug," following the 'gold teeh' line? I think the song has a great deal to do with escapism, and the things we attempt to feel different. Ultimately, however, I believe the speaker resigns himself to the realization that no matter what he does to try to escape the dull life of his resided town he may not be able to escape the town the shaped who he is. Food for thought, if anything. |
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| The Killers – Mr. Brightside Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| Nice guy anthem! | |
| Flickerstick – Right Way To Fly Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| Such a hopeful song, reminds me of a slightly heavier Coldplay sound. I love it! | |
| Third Eye Blind – Gorgeous Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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This is easily my favorite 3eb b-side. I've always gotten a sort of kick out of the ironic undertone of the entire song, with it's title of "Gorgeous". It's obviously about a relationship with someone, though not necessarily a romantic one. Anyone else find the idea of wanting to "go down to the sea" or just sink as a great analogy for just wanting to sleep one's problems away? Gorgeous, to me, is about someone wanting to escape their friends or friendships, yet being imbittered by the irony that is loneliness. |
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| David Gray – Freedom Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| Incedible. One of the man's best songs and no other comments? | |
| David Gray – Freedom Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| Incedible. One of the man's best songs and no other comments? | |
| Flickerstick – Beautiful Lyrics | 21 years ago |
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I've always thought this song was about being in love with someone with extremely low self-esteem and/or self-loathing, and him trying to convince her that she can "learn to love" herself just like he loves her. Another thought that comes to my mind is perhaps that the person he's in love with, and finds beautiful is extremely negative and/or cynical about people or life...whatever really.(this would probably play even more into the idea of Flickerstick, since they're so melodic and upbeat a band). Either way, I think he's trying to convince someone to "love" in the broad sense that the word implies, while trying to avoid getting sucked into that person's vortex of negativity. My $.02 Either way, they're great band. :) |
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| Death Cab for Cutie – Lightness Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| The lines of skin= "ivory lines" leading the deception of lust..."instincts." At least, that's my $.02 | |
| Radiohead – Exit Music (For a Film) Lyrics | 21 years ago |
| Anyone else get reminded of Twilight of the Dead from the whole recurring theme of "We hope that you choke"...? I know that the parallel seems kind of strange, but just watch the movie and you'll catch my drift. | |
| Splender – Here I Am, There You Go Lyrics | 23 years ago |
| This new album kicks ass. | |
| Splender – Save It For Later Lyrics | 23 years ago |
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Great song. Great band. Can't wait for their album. I think that, by far, my favorite line in this song is "and every time you build it up and put it in your paper cup it never seams to be enough." Such a dynamic band. :) |
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