submissions
| Nick Lowe – So It Goes Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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Indeed.
Seems like a reflection on Cold War uncertainty. Don't know who "the kid" in the first verse is, though. |
submissions
| The Drums – Let's Go Surfing Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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I'm not endorsing Glenn Beck here. But listen to the Knight School version of the song on YouTube and tell me it's not "Obama." Clearly a "b" sound, not an "m." |
submissions
| The Drums – Let's Go Surfing Lyrics
| 15 years ago
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I don't mean to sound like a complete idiot, but I think the guy above me is right. I know it sounds ridiculous and stupid, but I think the chorus IS "OBAMA / I wanna go surfing." Otherwise what the hell does the second verse mean? It doesn't make any sense. He's moving into the house and gonna make it all better? They're ironically saying that Obama isn't going to solve everything/the fundamental problems with humanity. Pretty deep message for such a catchy pop song. |
submissions
| The Cure – A Thousand Hours Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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I agree with geradeaus. Kiss Me was the album that finally broke The Cure in America--it sounds like Robert is talking about achieving some sort of recognition. "Howl in the wind" could mean singing.
I think the beauty of this song is that you can hear the artistic anxiety in the parts--the chimy guitar line is reminiscent of the bassline from Plainsong, as is the dissonant ending chord on the strings. The singing style is reminiscent of Disintegration as a whole. Robert was at a high point artistically, but struggled to realize this and reconcile it with other things in his life. Before Disintegration, he was worried about turning 30 and never completing a masterpiece, and I think this song is a heartbreaking prelude to his finally accomplishing that. |
submissions
| The Rentals – Hello Hello Lyrics
| 17 years ago
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I think I also have to call this my favorite Rentals song. He was flawed in some ways, but it's a shame Matt's music doesn't get much attention outside of the Weezer community. Not to revive the endless new vs. old Weezer debate, but this record certainly meant a lot more to me growing up than any of the post-Pinkerton stuff. It captures that sense of wistful nostalgia so prevalent on The Blue Album that Rivers seemed to abandon later on. |
submissions
| Arcade Fire – Intervention Lyrics
| 17 years ago
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Obviously this song can mean whatever you want it to. But to those claiming it's not a political statement--Win has introduced it in concerts (as was said on the previous page) as being "about a former Texas governor." They even campaigned for Obama--I don't see what the fear is about bands being politically relevant.
"King's taken back the throne" is not exactly a subtle metaphor considering this was recorded after such a controversial, hateful election in 2004, and considering how authoritarian Bush is.
The lines about the soldier in the second verse suggest to me that it might be about a soldier who has returned from the war with PTSD. Like "Antichrist Television Blues," it continues the theme of men abandoning or destroying their families to serve a "greater cause" when they are really serving themselves. But it's really beautiful, because Win isn't even accusing them--he's accusing the system. |
submissions
| Lou Reed – Coney Island Baby Lyrics
| 17 years ago
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I think ghost nailed it, but I would add that it's about growing up and feeling like you can't rely on anyone anymore. Recounting the things you regret. The production on this song is immaculate. It actually *sounds* like walking around Coney Island at night. |
submissions
| The Tallest Man on Earth – The Gardener Lyrics
| 17 years ago
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The sweetest, creepiest song. About how love is something that takes time and effort to maintain until death. The narrator wants his lover's trust but at the same time he admits that he's lied. I'm not sure about the different characters. They could be parts of the narrator's self that he wishes to silence for his lover's sake, competing suitors, or just metaphors open to interpretation. |
submissions
| East River Pipe – crystal queen Lyrics
| 17 years ago
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Being that Cornog was homeless for a while and tasted the gritty underbelly of poverty in NYC, I think this is pretty clearly about a prostitute. Beneath that, he seems to be saying that her dependency is taking down his life with hers. |
submissions
| Stars – Set Yourself on Fire Lyrics
| 17 years ago
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Obviously this song is pretty far-reaching in its meanings, and people have already noted a lot of the most significant ones.
But I'd like to add that the "Let's roll" at the beginning might not be as frivolous as it seems. Given the overtly political tone of much of the album, and its (*tongue-in-cheek*) post 9-11 feel, "set yourself on fire" could refer to the decision of the flight 93 passengers to bring the plane down and end their lives. Hence the "airplane" line... kind of using that as a metaphor for the vulnerability and preciousness of life they talk about in the rest of the song.
I think the "one thing" is meant to be ambiguous-- it could be money, love, death... as the first poster said, it's whatever individuals take the meaning of life to be. |
submissions
| Lilys – Elizabeth Colour Wheel Lyrics
| 17 years ago
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Tremendously overlooked song. One of the few inspired by My Bloody Valentine that challenges and perhaps even surpasses their genius. About resigning yourself to the fact that someone is too good for you and that you can't ever have her. Can't count how many times I've listened to this on my sadder days during a dreary commute home. |
submissions
| Codeine – New Year's Lyrics
| 17 years ago
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This song is one of the greatest hidden gems of 90s indie rock. The Seam version has a ripping guitar solo, but I kind of prefer the melancholy guitars and vocals and meandering bassline in this one. About sitting back after drinking too many on a night that's supposed to be a celebration, and realizing you're alone and only getting older. |
submissions
| Pavement – Elevate Me Later Lyrics
| 18 years ago
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Stockton, where Pavement is from, is consistently ranked as one of the most miserable cities to live in in America. I can’t help but think of that when he sings “in the city we forgot to name,” and makes all the references to corruption. The "Tiger Wood" cover of this on that compilation brings out the fact that beneath all the noise freakouts and talk of uber-hip influences, Malkmus is an amazing pop songwriter. |
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