| TV on the Radio – DLZ Lyrics | 5 years ago |
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https://houseofxen.com/2012/09/30/lyrical-analysis-dlz-by-tv-on-the-radio/ Here is an updated link Soundcloud.com/AndrewJD i make music now too!! |
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| Motorcycle – as the rush comes Lyrics | 6 years ago |
| @[AndrewVS:21135] Additionally she's describing traveling, and this line is said right after, as if to comment on her surroundings, prior to rising to the rush -- and how little the coldness affects her (yet how she needs to be embraced later, possibly to counter that coldness). | |
| Motorcycle – as the rush comes Lyrics | 6 years ago |
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"Coldness in the air" No one has said this -- I think this is the social anxiety / negativity one can feel in a crowd situation, specifically when tripping/getting high, but also just in general. Just the desire to not give a shit about the coldness of the people around you, trying to take away your newfound warmth. This sensation of "I don't care", while it might seem universal, is very specific to tripping/rushes. The idea of being aware how insane you might be coming off as, but genuinely making the choice not to care -- not because you're too far gone, but because you finally realize the absurdity of negativity. |
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| Grimes – Genesis Lyrics | 7 years ago |
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The above comment was written based on an old set of lyrics up here that had slightly different wording. I didnt know the song said the word "ever" at any point (saying 'never' for each hook is different than occasionally saying the word which means the exact opposite). Additionally, the old lyrics said "I am a vagabond" instead of "I am the one in love" Please take the above interpretation with these things in mind, because I think that I would re-write it with more optimism, now that I know the real lyrics. But something does stand, what I wrote about "It's a realization" -- this is a song that, above anything else, is in love with life more than it is NOT in love with life, so it's a very confident and uplifting vibe. |
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| Radiohead – Paranoid Android Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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re-wrote the last paragraph: As if to justify the abstract nature of this song, we hear a robotic voice chanting, “I may be paranoid, but I’m not an android.” In other words, the outcast might have been seen as eccentric; perhaps even paranoid for no reason, but at least he was feeling something. The beauty of this song is that once you understand the general narrative, all the abstract imagery can be applied to a multitude of concepts, all seen from the observer / the outcast’d perspective. This outcast is holding up a mirror to our world, but before he can even ask if we’re okay with the resultant image, he loses his mind. |
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| Radiohead – Paranoid Android Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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“Paranoid Android”, by Radiohead, is a rather straight-forward song about sorrow; the kind which develops from isolation. However, because the song uses abstract imagery and manages to tell two, overlapping narratives with only one set of lyrics, the song is ripe for lyrical analysis. Literally, this is a classic tale of insanity. Figuratively, and the meaning you’re more likely to connect with, “Android” is a requiem for the outcast; for the leftfield perspective. The notion of wanting to get some rest in a noisy environment is something we all can relate with, but the outcast of “Paranoid Android” is pleading; begging to fall asleep, because his head is filled with “unborn chicken voices”. This can seem confusing until the line is read literally – imagine that there are actually chickens inside this man’s head. “Unborn,” in this context, is a clever way of saying “non-existent”; not actually real. He simply hears noises in his head, and the syncopated call of a chicken is a perfect image to express the chaos of auditory hallucination. In another sense, these voices in his head are not in his head at all, but actually the sounds of the world around him (with which he feels such disconnect). The outcast cannot view society as a screaming success because his senses are overwhelmed with the literal screaming of the oppressed; the crack of the metaphoric whip, keeping everyone at work (“the crackle of pigskin”); overwhelming gluttony (“the crackle of pigskin” i.e. bacon); the panic of the chased; the vomit from those who witness it all and of course, those too busy making money to care (“the yuppies networking”). The outcast begs it all to stop, because he’s simply trying to get some rest. As if a nagging reminder to his insanity and his disconnect, the promise of a peaceful sleep is lost; replaced by literal paranoia (“What’s that?”). Already so broken-down, the only way this outcast can cope is to escape to a dreamlike state; to imagine an alternate reality where he is in command, persecuting everyone who has ever wronged him (“When I am King, you will be first against the wall — where your opinion is of no consequence at all”). Unfortunately, due to what’s been bubbling under the surface, what should be a pleasant daydream turns into a manic episode. Rather playful, optimistic longing is replaced with aggressive force. As if he’s shaking the collar of society itself, he screams, “You don’t remember! You don’t remember my name!” Now, he’s in control and is using his power to get back at his enemies – “Off with his head now; off with his head!!” Unfortunately, the mania subsides and is replaced with a calming, static depression. He’s back to the real world and his fantasy is just that – a fantasy. The difference is, there’s no going back. Perhaps in the intensity of his manic episode, he has broken a law or two, for now passersby are scorning and ridiculing him for his insanity. “Off with his head now!!” is both a mantra yelled at society and the actual response of society to the outcast’s madness. A crowd draws and he’s told, “That’s it now — you’re leaving,” but he refuses to give-in; instead fighting back and running away (“the dust and the screaming”). The police presumably catch him, but not before he is beaten (“the crackle of pigskin”), shrieking in terror as the walls of his world cave-in (“the screaming”). All the while, this is taking place in public, with businessmen and women rushing past, far too busy making phone calls to stop and observe (“yuppies networking”). It is here where Yorke sings with a cruel jest, “God loves his children.” It is here where the literal story of a man going crazy and the casual observations of the modern cynic merge. In the literal narrative, this line is a delusional self-assurance, muttered by the outcast as he’s hauled away. In the figurative narrative, the cynical observer is mocking the idea of “God” with a bitter sarcasm: “God loves his children,” as if to say, why would anyone Godly waste their attention on this hellish world? Regardless atheistic implications, this line is important because it shows how both the outcast and the observer have lost all hope. In the chaos of literal arrest (or the figurative personal disconnect felt towards society), the outcast gives in. The reason we know the outcast is too tired to fight is because the song starts off with “I’m trying to get some rest,” as if to imply that if protagonist does not recover soon, he will not have the will to continue. With no hope in sight, the outcast proclaims, “let it all rain down on me — let it pour from a great height, far up in the sky.” As if lithium intravenously entered into his bloodstream, our lonesome friend has found peace (even if in defeat). “Paranoia Android” holds up a mirror to our world and asks us if we’re okay with the resultant image. As if to justify the abstract nature of this song, we hear a robotic voice chanting, “I may be paranoid, but I’m not an android.” In other words, the outcast might have been seen as eccentric; perhaps even paranoid for no reason, but at least he was feeling something. http://houseofxen.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/lyrical-analysis-paranoid-android-by-radiohead/ |
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| The Beach Boys – Cabinessence Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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Re: Mike Love calling out the line: Over and over the crow cries uncover the cornfield I wanted to just have some fun and purposely read into this line, in an attempt to see what it means. It -is- just for fun, but I also do believe that you can write something profound and not actually realize the depth of what it is you have written. This is why even an artist hasn't intended something, if you happen to see it, it's there. Look at it like: Over and over the crow cries, "Uncover the cornfield!" A "covered" cornfield would be one filled with corn. An "uncovered" cornfield would be one devoid of corn -- empty, dead stalks. Two thoughts: 1.) A crow crying, "Uncover the cornfield" could be alternatively said as "It's time to feast!" and eat as much corn as possible. It's exclamation to hype you up. So in the broader sense it's basically saying "Let's celebrate!" 2.) Maybe he's referring to a 'crow, as in a Scarecrow, who longs for the fields to be empty, so he can finally get some relaxation and not have to worry about watching out for actual crows. In the broader sense this is dat existential angst. |
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| Grimes – Genesis Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| Very simple song. She's just saying she always feels so close to love, but she never is, she never sees it for sure and she never knows for sure. This makes her fall (depression, rejection, isolation, etc) and then she knows she's meant to be alone. She is in love with life itself, but she can't seem to express this love and it drives her crazy, so she just stays in her own head. "And then I know". It's ominous/sad. At the same time, the way it's sung, it's as if she's comfortable with it, like a realization. "It's always different" -- no matter how much she rationalizes, she can never deal with it. | |
| Simon and Garfunkel – Mrs. Robinson Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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This was one of the first interpretations I ever read on this site and it greatly helped me. This exposed me to this very sane world where music is incredibly deep and multi-layered. "That was 60's youth, and that conflict with one side wrong and the other side confused and directionless is what this song is about." has stuck with me to the point that it encouraged ME to write interpretations and think deeper about things. Years later, I'm just stopping by to say thanks and that you inspire me, even if you don't know it. Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson :) Jesus loves you more than you will ever know :) |
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| Burial – Shell of Light Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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"God can you be certain if it's right for me? I wasn't sure if we could be friends..." This is what I hear. I'm aware it doesn't matter what is said and that it's about the feeling the vocals provoke, but for me, these lyrics do add another weight of meaning to the song. |
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| TV on the Radio – DLZ Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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“DLZ” (‘Deals’) by TV on the Radio is a song that deals with “evil” and how it spreads. The first half of the song describes how a loathsome protagonist rises in power; the second focuses on his impact. Right away, the song hits you with a massive scale of sound, a crooning arriving from the highest dimensions of the cosmic sphere — the song is profound long before learning what’s being sung. This elaborates the scale of the protagonist’s misdeeds, as if to suggest this is a dictator, high-end arms dealer or Walter White from Breaking Bad. When the song closes, all that’s left is a quiet chanting, “This is beginning to feel like the dawn of a loser forever”. While every human is mortal, one’s impact lives on longer than their life — good and bad. If we take up “loser” characteristics, they may be passed on, forever. Indirect metaphor is painted over “DLZ”’s lyrics like a coating. Taken as a whole, however, all these symbols paint but one color — an angry crimson. Furthermore, the paint is being thrown in frustration against the canvas, as if the painter has been remaking the same painting over and over, growing weary with the process. Indeed, the first line of the song, “Congratulations on the mess you made of things,” is sung with condescension and jest, summing up the song’s tone in half a sentence. “To reconstruct the air” is impossible and the protagonist fails in his attempted reconstruction (making “a mess of things”). Oxidation is a process in which electrons are lost — this may seem out of place until you make the connection that he’s poetically describing the loss of the soul in three sentences. For going against what’s natural (“reconstructing the air”), you’ve dug yourself into a hole from which you cannot escape (the “mess you’ve made” / “compromise you owe”) and now you’ve lost your soul (the soul representing the electrons lost in oxidation). Ironically, it’s beginning to feel like the dog (the loathsome protagonist) wants a bone (is starting to feel guilty / wants a break). If the first verse provided exposition into how the protagonist turns evil, the second describes why he remains evil. He “forces his fire” then “falsifies his deeds” — his malicious wishes are subjected to the world and when it’s time to answer consequence, he covers up ever being involved in the first place. The song implies not only does the protagonist avoid accusation; he becomes rich off of his misdeeds. Unfortunately, no amount of fortune could ever fill the vacuous void of his soul; regardless, the protagonist still tries to feed this emptiness with further wealth and power. This is the beginning of the end, the point of no return — when evil becomes impossible to sustain with a sane mind (“This is beginning to feel like the dog’s lost her lead”). Again, the song is implying the protagonist has found great success, perhaps even admired by many, but has lost the spark (oxidation/soul) which made him admirable in the first place. It is now when Tunde cries out “This is beginning to feel like the long-winded blues of the never” — this is beginning to feel like there is no going back. There is no hope, escape or plan-B. The protagonist is so consumed by greed that he’s essentially dying (“curling up slowly”) and now looks to bring the rest of the world down with him (“finding a throat to choke”). He descends down this self-made spiral so fast and with such reckless abandon, it could be compared to a train running itself off the tracks (“barely controlled locomotive”). At this point, the only thing in his future is downfall — with a tunnel-vision, he ignores all outside perspective and hope (“consuming the picture”). Again, the song references the protagonist’s desire (“static explosion”) to pass along his disease to whomsoever gets in his way (“devoted to crushing the broken”) so that they too will suffer in the same hell (“shoving their souls to ghost”). What’s the result? Eternal admiration; his likeness objectified into stone (“eternalized; objectified”). His “sights” were set powerfully upon the top and the song has revealed the extent of his success. However, this is where he begins to face criticism, as Tunde once again observes, “This is beginning to feel like the bolt’s busted loose from the lever” — he’s gone mad with power. Unhinged, derailed, insane — the public is catching on. The narrator now enters the song as a second character, the antagonist in this case, and asserts how impossible it would be to ever fall victim to the protagonist’s evil nature (“Never you mind, death professor! / Your structure’s fine; my dust is better!”) This insult about “dust” seems to say “Regardless how massive or complex these structures are (“eternalized; objectified”), there’s more substance to be found in the dust from my footprint, however small it’s impact may be.” Additionally, in the same stanza is a jab toward those who are “weak” enough (“your victims”) to be swayed by the promise of power, to the point where they give everything to reach it (“fly so high”) only to realize that at the lowest pit of hell, there’s nothing to do but drag others down with you (“all to catch a bird’s eye-view of who’s next”). Swept away in hatred for the protagonist, the narrator continues preaching upon his soapbox. “Love is life! My love is better!” Tunde declares. It’s emancipation from any remaining connection the narrator has to this narrative of evil. He theorizes if more people weren’t “confused with who’s next”, our “eyes could be the diamonds” — our transcendent focus would astound all, the same way a diamond’s shine would catch anyone’s attention. He elaborates -- “Your shocks are fine — my struts are better” — while power’s hypnotism is profound, the ability for the narrator to cast it aside allows him to rant (“strut”) with superior ease. Yet, there’s another reference to how many are swayed by twisted promises (“Your fiction flies so high”) and how these people are past the point of self-correction, for they are tumbling down the spiral (“Y’all could use a doctor / who’s sick? / who’s next?”) Pen-ultimately, the narrator sings how his love is electric, crystalizing into the psyches of everyone whom experiences it. Thus, the impact will last longer than any statue or monument. Promising how “all could be the diamond fused with —” the narrator interrupts himself: “–who’s next?” Does he question who is next to rise, or fall? The song ends soon after. Though filled with abstract metaphor, the song’s overall tone is quite simple to grasp. From here, you can translate this general narrative into something much more specific. It is easy to fixate on the song’s phonetic title, “Deals”, as if to say this is a song about the power structure in our society and how TV on the Radio have an antidote — musical expression (“electrified — my love is better!”). However, the narrative I have described could be as applicable to trust issues in a relationship as it could to something as extreme as a critique on organized religion. Regardless what you choose to read into and what you choose to exclude, the ending of the song is very much about liberation and the mentality one develops. What you are being liberated from, is up to you as a listener to decide. [ http://houseofxen.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/lyrical-analysis-dlz-by-tv-on-the-radio/ ] |
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| Radiohead – Karma Police Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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feel like karma police is an internal dialogue, like everytime the male protagonist of the song has to deal with external reality, they know they'll look at him like a freak/weirdo, and they don't even have to say anything, his own internal paranoia and guilt will seize him like he's being arrested by real police, emotionally, and they keep coming after him over and over again. then it shows the same situation from a female perspective, like how she's used to being judged for her unorthodox dressing or whathaveyou, maybe even just mindset, and how her own internal guilt comes after her late into the night, no one needs to say anything compared to what her own self-doubt will say to her. and at the end, they both come back, saying "For a minute there, I lost myself" in this really overarching sadness that kinda indicates they know they will be slipping back to that place in a matter of time, the sadness of how easily they can get lost, how lost they feel, but still relieved to found even if just for one more moment [also, the line, 'i've given all i can / it's not enough / we're still on the payroll' seems to me that they've gone through this process and tried to get past the self-doubt/paranoia/anxiety, but they just keep coming back to it] |
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| Radiohead – Paranoid Android Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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This sentence should be written like: It may not be a girl, but it's clear that the dream consists of someone (whom he presently loathes in reality) getting executed under his ruling command. Sorry for the confusing wording (I can't edit my OG post!). |
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| Radiohead – Paranoid Android Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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This song feels like it's taking place over a very long time, but that's because it's a dream. In the beginning verses the narrator is sleeping -- or at least, he's trying to, except he can't get any peace from all his internal voices and fears. The rest of the song is his dream, and in his dream the girl who turned him down (kicking, squealing, gucci, little piggy) begs for him and refers to him as king. It may not be a girl, but it's clear that the dream is someone whom he now loathes in reality gets executed under his ruling command. The rest of the song, "Rain down on me" and the ending verse, picturesque (for a dystopian landscape) narrative, I'm not too sure on. I take them as catharsis. In the context of our sleeping/dreaming protagonist, perhaps the "rain down" is what it feels like to face all his fears, internal and external, to face the world, etc. The last verse might be what he sees when he looks around society, the final line "God loves his children!", the ironic ad-like final comment which contradicts all the protagonist sees. Radiohead used extensive adbuster-like artwork in the packaging of this album and this last line really fits in with the vibe, if not defining it. |
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| Beach House – Take Care Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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In response to http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/8865-harnessing-ineffable-desire-beach-house-and-the-creative-commercial/ article where the writer mentions this song being about someone who "won't" take care of someone... I always thought it was like "I'll take care of you..." and then the next line wasn't linked to it at all. As if to say "And in a year or two we'll be married and living in the countryside..." or something with that spiritual sentiment. As I was writing that I thought of how maybe the chorus is someone contemplating to themselves about what they wish to do..."I'll take care of you...in a year or two, I'll commit to you and take care of you", but it's not to anyone but him/herself. Just internal dialogue, and then the reality is found in the verses, as he's contemplating on what they've already shared. I think the song ends on a very optimistic note though, like knowing that in the end, it's true, the narrator WILL take care of his love, and it's already in motion, and the love is headed to a solid place where it will continue to grow. |
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| John Lennon – Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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Honestly I don't see how this has so much confusion. The beauty of this song comes from how wonderfully universal it's lyrics are. There IS no explanation needed. This is coming from someone who over-analyzes song-lyrics. Every verse is very self-explanatory. It's a narrator, talking to a person during the verses, then singing a realization during the choruses. There is no confusion, at any point, what Lennon is trying to convey in his verses -- it's very clear, even the subtle nature of it -- if you listen, it's obvious enough. Paul McCartney, religion, drugs? Sure, you can put them in there, but that's reading too deeply into it. The song is so awesome because the choruses are the bits that are open for interpretation. Just a very simple statement -- we all shine on. How it connects to the verses is why this song has such longevity. The verses are very aggressively peaceful. The chorus is a relief from this aggression, like catharsis, and letting it all go, well you know, we ALL shine on. So whatever, do what you want to do, instant karma's gonna get you! (the only thing really up for interpretation in this is what 'instant karma' literally is. death could be acceptable, but i'm not trying to infringe on your right to meditate on that. that's the beauty of being a listener -- we know just about everything, and then we fill in the rest of the picture on our own :) ) |
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| Incubus – Aqueous Transmission Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I'm reading Huck Finn right now and this song is very fitting. It's so moving. | |
| Madvillain – Accordian Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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Daniel Dumile channels various traits of his personality into several characters. One character, Viktor Vaughn, embraces a youthful, ambitious side of Dumile. Another, King Geedorah, represents a colossal alien who commentates on humanity from an objective view-point. On 2004′s Madvillainy LP, Dumile teamed with Madlib to create a character known to many as â€�Madvillainâ€� (also referred to as â€�The Villainâ€�/â€�Villainâ€� on the recording), and it is in this character why so many have flocked to Dumile’s provocative flow. In the opening statement of Madvillainy, â€�Accordionâ€�, we have a chance to meet Madvillain – or at least, we hear a testament to his greatness. What differentiates Dumile’s braggadocio from his contemporaries is in the nature of said testimony. The opening narration, â€�Living off borrowed time the clock tick fasterâ€� is entirely detached from the rest of the verse. The line vaguely contemplates upon the notion of time before sparking inspiration from an observer of said narration. This is the masked man who tells the tales of the legendary Madvillain – MF DOOM. Think of MF DOOM, in the context of â€�Accordionâ€�, as a street poet or preacher upon a soapbox, dazzling the audience with hyperbole-ridden tales of a legend (Madvillain) whom is not even physically present (and indeed, artistically, Dumile literally hides â€�Madvillainâ€� behind MF DOOM’s mask). The very next line which follows the opening narration is spoken matter-of-factly, responding to the omniscient narration, as if one was reading a newspaper and remarking indifferently: â€�that’ll be the hour they knock the sick blasterâ€�. This line, as soon seen, starts a stream-of-consciousness description of Madvillain as a character. The reason why this lyricism inspires such originality and thought within the listener is because Daniel Dumile is not the one boasting about Madvillain (at least, directly). Instead, what Dumile does is create a third-person narrative, using what amounts to a street preacher (MF DOOM) to describe a main character (Madvillain) which personifies certain elements of a real personality (Daniel Dumile). While â€�Accordionâ€� is riddled with interpretive poetry, arguably four of the strongest lines are found in the following verse: Keep your glory gold and glitter For half, half of his n***** will take him out the picture The other half is rich and it don’t mean s***-a Villain a mixture of both with a twist of liquor In these four lines, Dumile, as MF DOOM, describes Madvillain as someone who is unaffected by promises of monetary gain and illusionary, ‘glittering’ successes. In the second and third lines, we learn of his rationality for this mindset. While these lines strike hard just for the discussed content, the final line pulls together the reason why the audience is so captivated by â€�Accordionâ€�. â€�Villain a mixture of both…â€� is self-loathing and self-inspiring all at once, admitting that Madvillain, as a character (and thus, part of Daniel Dumile), embraces both extremes – â€�with a twist of liquorâ€�. While â€�MF DOOMâ€� is telling of the â€�Madvillainâ€� character/legend, the fourth line (â€�Villain a mixture…â€�) carries the same sort of off-handedness which follows up â€�Living off borrowed time…â€� – the opening line of the song. This alludes to a light-hearted glimpse into the actual character of â€�MF DOOMâ€� the street-corner-poet/preacher. This builds an atmosphere that suggests the characters within the world of â€�Madvillainyâ€� see parts of themselves in Madvillain, as MF DOOM indirectly alludes to, and therefore do not view him with the same villainous bent as most of the populous. http://houseofxen.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/lyrical-analysis-accordion-by-madvillain-mf-doom-madlib/ |
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| OutKast – Happy Valentines Day Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| Great interpretation!! Very spot-on!! | |
| OutKast – Knowing (feat. André 3000) Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| AMAZING story-telling. Apparently this is "Da Art Of Storytelling Part 3" | |
| OutKast – ? Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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The liquor itself is the answer. Not literally, but the idea of wanting to numb ourselves rather than face these problems. Instead of looking ourselves in the mirror and facing our self-hatred, we project it onto others. Every line confirms this: -Murder -Cheating -Absurd drug abuse (crystal meth) -Rape -Senseless violence -Choosing to go down the wrong path when you know you're a rational person and that it's rare that you are that lucky, considering how many are in the hood or in third world countries ignorant of the knowledge you so casually choose to throw away ("took awhile to get you hooked up to this volume") -Loss of faith |
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| OutKast – ? Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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This is the most existential rap song ever made. The title, "?", obviously a question to what causes the insane behavior displayed in this verse. Every line is questions an absurd characteristic of man that somehow is seeming to run rampant. He doesn't answer these questions. He asks them and the only response is the sound of liquor being poured into a glass. The only answer anyone has is to try and numb themselves from these realities, but Andre 3000 is questioning -- WHY? Why? "?". WHAT is it? WHY are we so evil? WHAT. IS. IT?????? ??? ?????????????? ? |
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| The Rolling Stones – Mother's Little Helper Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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Just want to say this because it was so obvious to me, yet it hasn't been said: The song is about the gradual progression of a mother's dependence on addictive pills, but in that light, it shows just how any addiction gets out of control. In the first verse, she's taking pills just to ease the pain a little bit. Nothing is too substantially impacted, though it is alluded that she does not need to take the pill ("she's not really ill"). Then in the second verse, it begins to show he she has progressed in addiction to the point where she no longer is as excited about being a mother. Dinners begin to suffer and she rationalizes it as being tired and getting old. In the first verse, she was taking one pill ("it"). In this verse, she is taking two ("two"). In the third verse, the addiction has progressed to the point where she is now detached and unable to love. She is now taking four pills a day. In the final verse, she no longer has any attachment to life whatsoever and only cares for her high. She is now taking more than four pills and eventually overdoses. It is a very dark song and really shows just how quickly addiction can spiral out of control. |
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| The Beatles – Two of Us Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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"You and I have memories / Longer than the road that stretches out ahead" Beautiful line. They can go sunday driving, road tripping, spend time together -- do whatever, because whatever task they take on is insignificant compared to the relationship between them both and everything they've done. The upbeat, triumphant, nothing can go wrong nature of the song reflects this mindset. |
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| The Beatles – I Me Mine Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| I love when lyrics like this are beautifully straight-forward. This is perfect song-writing. This song conveys are perfect message and meaning without any shadow of a doubt. All through the day -- "I, Me, Mine". The comma is key. All through the day, "All he can hear" are Is, Mes, and Mines from the world. All through the night. Everyone's "weaving" (encouraging) this ego-centric behavior at full intensity ("coming all strong all time"). Even tears, as someone mentioned earlier, stem from an I a Me and a Mine. | |
| Broken Social Scene – World Sick Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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Originally had this wonderful breakdown, a couple key lines explained and broken down...but i accidentally hit back and it didn't let me go forward again ugh... cliffnotes of what i wrote earlier: "my love is for my man" and "and I romanced some dicks so that I could confess that" suggest that the literal narrative follows a gay man's frustrations (though technically any lover who feels emotionally-oppressed in some way) as he describes through the song why he wants to come out. in the chorus, he rationalizes "and I romanced some dicks so that I could confess that i get world sick every time i try to take a stand" every time he stands up, every moment of every day, he feels sick with the world and his place within it. so he decided to embrace his lifestyle (romance some dicks) and come out (confess that, "I get world sick when I take a stand ("I'm tired of this bullshit...") i get world sick my love is for my man ("because damn it, i'm gay and i shouldn't have to hide that"). but that line also acts a connection. look back at the previous lines non-literally: "we got a mine field of cripple affection" literal: our flaming passion is hindered by society and considered a disorder ('cripple') symbolic: we as a collective have so much empathy and desire to change the world (title of song is "WORLD sick"), but it gets labeled as bullshit, trivial, aimless "all for the borrowed mirror connection" literal: and to live this life i have to put on this face. this face i put on outside, closeted, feels like it's not mine, it's like looking into the mirror and seeing an unfamiliar face ("borrowed mirror"). symbolic: despite our desire to change the world, we have to go with the day-to-day machine, just to stay alive/afloat, and it feels foreign. "that why im leavin the spoken detention" literal: being closeted is not being able to express due to societal pressures and sometimes even actual laws. speech is taken and locked away for-seemingly-ever ('spoken detention'). here the narrator begins to realize coming out is a possibility, and that it should be undergone. it's exciting because the actual action of coming out, and by that i mean 'the mental decision finally being reached to do something, the motivation, the divine realization', is realized right at the peak chorus in this song to the narrator at the same time as the audience. symbolic: BSS use the metaphor of a gay man feeling closeted, wanting to come out and then (in the chorus) coming out for feeling frustrated at society but also numbed from constant frustration, realizing that this numbness is the problem not the frustrations themselves and then (in the chorus) removing the numbness. here is where the realizing the numbness begins. "and I romanced some dicks so that I could confess that i get world sick every time i take a stand" literal: mentioned already, but again, he is coming out due to no longer being able to stomach being closeted. symbolic: acts a bridge. bridges the developing metaphor with what the metaphor is actually trying to say. allows the audience to gain empathy for the closeted man's situation and this helps better understand the dual-meaning of the song. "I get world sick my love is for my man" literal: coming out symbolic: love for mankind, can't stomach the state of the world anymore or pretend that my numbness to my frustration is rational any longer I write a lot and I'm really into interpretation, objectivity and metaphors/allegories. Peep my website. Click my profile page and it's there. |
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| The Weeknd – High for This Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| These lyrics are terrifying. It leaves so much up to the mind. Someone about to have sex, but it's certainly more than they are used to, and the song's narrator is coaxing them into it line-by-line. "You want to be high for this" -- the pure hedonism of the song is so intense that it's almost scary just how everything else is thrown out the window. | |
| The Weeknd – High for This Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| These lyrics are terrifying. It leaves so much up to the mind. Someone about to have sex, but it's certainly more than they are used to, and the song's narrator is coaxing them into it line-by-line. "You want to be high for this" -- the pure hedonism of the song is so intense that it's almost scary just how everything else is thrown out the window. | |
| Tune-Yards – Bizness Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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"Don't take my life away / Don't take my life away" The manner in which she sings this, rapidly and frantic, suggests that this song may work best if you take the lyrics on a literal level before analyzing interpretatively. In the main chorus of the song, it sounds as if Garbus is describing a mugging. From the opening line ("What's the business?") asking just what the hell is happening, to the realization that the mugger is moving closer ("From a distance") finally to the attempt to try to empathize with her perpetrator ("I'm a victim!" / "I'm addicted!") It all paints a very visual picture. The intensity of this image obvious increases with every repeated plea ("Don't take my life away!"). WhoKill as an album seems to deal with similar subject matter upon the surface, and then on a deeper level one can interpret these things to act as metaphors for more intimate personal issues and insecurities expressed in song. If you look at the opening verse in this same "Mugger" mindset, you can see how well it fits with just about every line. The opening, in particular, makes much more sense on a surface level when analyzed from this perspective: "If I represent the one that did this to you / Then can away the part that represents the thing that scarred you" It seems to be an extended plea intended to be said to the mugger, only to be mentally pondered. Muggers obviously don't personalize or discriminate in terms of the individual; though if they are robbing you chances are you have a look of wealth or content. She rationalizes, "If you are mugging me because I look like everything you aren't and desire to be (in terms of wealth), then you need to get over whatever it is that personally traumatized you." Such a powerful, opening line. Obviously, we are starting to see the deeper intentions of the song. Immediately after this declaration of "Fix yourself before you hurt me", she declares ("Get up / Stand up / Get on it!") both the listener and herself to defend against the situation as to change the outcome ("I am no longer who you thought this one would be"). A victim can be mugged, but a victim in self-defense is not such an easy target. After this confidence boosting declaration, it's revealed that she (as a victim) still ends up running into this mugger once more ("We end up around the mountain that I climb to lose you") and despite how bold she was just moments before, meeting this mugger causes her to enter a state of shock ("Ask me, Tell me / but all my wisdom departed"). Finally we enter in the main chorus, the confrontation, where all she can ask is "What the hell is going on / How did I get here / Don't take my life away / I'm just like you!" This entire time we have seen how simply the song reads in a literal manner, but it's during the third verse where we start to realize that the song works much more beautifully on a symbolic level. Regardless, finishing up the mugger theme, the victim in the song tries one final plea. She states how "I'll bleed if you ask me", and we see how the mugger's response is a simple "No" ("That's when he said no") before we enter back into the confrontational chorus once more. I'd like to point out that the song ends asking the question "What's the business?" repeatedly, as if Garbus is restating her disbelief of the entire situation. Obviously, you can replace the whole Mugger / Victim theme with many concepts and interpretations, but what will remain consistent is the general narrative between the two parties. If you go for the relationship-route, the song becomes a symbolic tale of frustration between two would-be lovers. I see it as someone meeting someone who has been hurt in a prior relationship, so badly, that they see all of that heartbreak in every new person they meet, including the protagonist of the song. This is very similar in subject matter to the song "Abducted" by Cults (I analyzed this here: http://houseofxen.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/lyrical-analysis-abducted-by-cults-with-music-video/), the major difference is that Garbus is attempting a solution to the problem, whereas Cults focused on the sad cyclical nature of the whole thing. The first verse then declares the protagonist of the song to be their own individual and not connected to any horrific past relationships. The second verse reveals how the protagonist of the song does NOT enter into the relationship ("The mountain that I climb to lose you"), but ends up meeting this person again in life anyways ("We end up around the mountain"), this time demanding why things can't work out ("Answer me this!"). At the same time, there is a realization that no one wants to throw their time away with someone who is just going to hurt them ("Don't take my life away"), so the protagonist is repeatedly asking in the chorus "What's the business" -- what hurt you before/are you ready for this/I don't want to be hurt -- before finally revealing she does fall in love "I'm addicted yeah!". Writing this, I see a plethora of abstract and less direct ways (ex- an internal dialogue) of looking at this song from several perspectives, but the two general interpretations I've provided do indicate that the song is a song about frustration stemming from misunderstanding and miscommunication. The protagonist attempts to overcome this (in whatever the medium is which the frustration is occurring, depending on personal interpretation), and in the end she finds herself addicted. The real question, is to what? To heartbreak? To falling in love with those who are scarred? The song's brilliance lies in how many windows it can be seen through, and I hope my interpretation has provided some insight into whatever your personal interpretation of the song happens to be. http://houseofxen.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/lyrical-analysis-tune-yards-bizness/ |
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| Cults – Abducted Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| When you wrote that I'm not sure if you realized you wrote "Ex" instead of "X", but it's sorta what I view them to represent. Sorta abstract, but yeah I do view the initial X at the beginning to sorta show how she did allow herself to be "abducted" (through being vulnerable/open) and all the other Xs may represent how the cycle just continues to perpetuate through many other ex-boyfriends/girlfriends. Again, this is all very open to interpretation, but I think the video allows you to, as well. | |
| Cults – Abducted Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| http://houseofxen.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/lyrical-analysis-abducted-by-cults-with-music-video/ | |
| Cults – Abducted Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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The music video for this song features a woman being abducted by a man, and then the man driving down a very long and winding road -- constantly looking out the window the entire time. The whole while, the woman is tied and trapped in the trunk of the car. At the end of the video, he gets out the car, lets her out of the trunk, and allows himself to be tied up by her and eventually locked in the trunk. The lyrics to this song focus upon a relationship where the woman is completely infatuated with the man upon first sight. She realizes that this man is the best man she has ever been in a relationship with ("I knew right then no one was above him"). The first three lines seem to infer to "I knew right then" as the moment/day/night she first met this man, but in the last line, "I knew right then that he would be breaking my heart", she seems to be speaking from a later point in the relationship where she realizes that he is not in love with her like she is to him. Unfortunately, she wants to stay with him regardless, because even though the love is not mutual, to her, he represents the closest thing to love she has ever felt ("He tore me apart because I really loved him"). I love the next lines, "He took my heart(/it all) away and left me to bleed out, bleed out", as it infers how she put her entire self transparently into the relationship, giving her heart to him, and the love was not returned in the manner she thought the situation would have indicated. Then the song shifts to his perspective, this time again, the man does not seem to be speaking from the moment which they first met ("I knew right then that I'd never love her"). He cannot control how in love someone is with him, he simply is not in love with her ("the reasons") -- and this likely became apparent when it was revealed to him how much she actually loved him. He wishes her the best, realizing that the whole experience likely will cause her to never give herself that way to anyone ever again ("I hope the dream hasn't left her scarred"). This is where the video really comes full circle. The vulnerability and emotion shown by the woman in the video really contrasts how stern and detached the male kidnapper comes across as. That is, until the end, where the very thing the male voice in the song alludes to comes true -- she becomes the cold and detached kidnapper, and now she will likely "kidnap" another's heart in the same manner she was. The cycle perpetuates, and we now can empathize with the male kidnapper, for it's implied he was turned cold after opening himself to another, but then being rejected. This song captures the emotion of the entire situation, and the video acts as a perfect visual allegory for the male and female characters within the song's lyrics. |
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| Gorillaz – Clint Eastwood Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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"Yeah... Ha Ha! Finally someone let me out of my cage" Something has been released, at this point in the song, there is not enough context to understand what that may be. "Now, time for me is nothing cos I'm counting no age Now I couldn't be there" Introductory description, whatever this is, it is an infinite being or concept that transcends time and physical limitations. "Now you shouldn't be scared I'm good at repairs" This is something positive (as its telling us not to fear), and something progressive (as its stating how it can correct the flawed) "Intangible" Definition: "Unable to be touched or grasped; not having physical presence" "Bet you didn't think so I command you to Panoramic view Look I'll make it all manageable" Its saying that you probably weren't even paying attention to whatever this was, but no worries, because he's going to break this down for you ('make it managable'). Panoramic view being a view that allows you to see everything at once. "Pick and choose Sit and lose All you different crews Chicks and dudes Who you think is really kickin' tunes?" You really think that Gorillaz are the ones making music? You really think The Beatles were responsible for "Let It Be"? Pick any artist you want -- same situation. It is becoming apparent that whatever this is, it is something incredibly powerful -- implying responsibility as the 'true' source of any artist's talent. "Picture you gettin' down in a picture tube Like you lit the fuse" Imagine yourself being a Rock superstar, a rapper, talking in interviews about your craft, like you were the one responsible for your artistic talent ('the fuse'/'the spark' is traditionally associated with initial inspiration). "You think it's fictional Mystical? Maybe Spiritual Hearable What appears in you is a clearer view cuz you're too crazy Lifeless" You think this is all New Age crap? Maybe it really is truly divine, but it certainly is downright spiritual. You can friggin hear it, and eventually it flows through you if you allow it to. The end result, music or created culture, is more beautiful than your actual self ('cuz you're too crazy'), and he basically calls you out (as a person) as lifeless without the presence of...well...this inspiration. "To know the definition for what life is Priceless For you because I put you on the hype shit" I've tuned you in and you can't put a price on that. "You like it? Gunsmokin' righteous with one token Psychic among those Possess you with one go" This is basically bragging, really, just a really abstract way of doing so. He's basically saying all it takes is one listen (if you are listening to music/experiencing culture) or one moment of inspiration (if you are the one creating the culture/music). "I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad I got sunshine, in a bag I'm useless,but not for long The future is coming on" This makes a bit more sense later on at the end of the song, but basically I believe this chorus is someone realizing the inspiration and creating a song, and tapping into that magical feeling and feeling unstoppable, (like Clint Eastwood) in the process. As a listener, you come to realizations within yourself that make you feel complete as an individual (feeling great, like fuckiing Clint Eastwood). Alternatively, Del could just be calling this insane inspirational concept that possesses all artists alike a force as powerful as our view of the fictional Clint Eastwood hero. "The essence the basics Without it you make it" Anyone can tap into this. If you aren't already experiencing it, when you're bored you'll make it on your own. It is so natural to the human spirit, that if it isn't present, inspiration will take over on its own. "Allow me to make this Childlike in nature" He's gonna break it down even further "Rhythm You have it or you don't that's a fallacy" Pretty obvious, mainly repeating how anyone can tap into this. "I'm in them Every sprouting tree Every child apiece" Self-explanatory. "Every cloud you see You see with your eyes" When you see, you see the literal, the physical and to a deeper extent in the context of the song, the surface level. "I see destruction and demise Corruption in disguise From this fuckin' enterprise" "Clint Eastwood"/Inspiration/This concept that's being described in this song sees the problems of the world and whatnot inherent in our current societal system. "Now I'm sucking to your lies" On a literal level, this is saying inspiration/'clint eastwood' feeds off of your all the problems of the world and your personal insecurities because without them there wouldn't be any reason to create anything. Through Russ, though not his muscles but the percussion he provides with me as a guide" Russel (the drummer of Gorillaz) is the vessel through which "Clint Eastwood"/Inspiration manifests itself through. Not Russel himself, but Russel's ability to allow inspiration to flow and music to come to creation. This concept described in the song is found in the cultural output of humanity once a human allows inspiration to flow -- basically stating, as previously stated in the song, that without 'clint eastwood', we are lifeless. "But y'all can see me now cuz you don't see with your eye You perceive with your mind That's the inner" So now you get it. You are finally seeing beyond the surface. Some poetry here, really. He's saying we don't see anything anywhere with just our eyes, its really the mind at work perceiving on an individualized, inner level. "So I'm gonna stick around with Russ and be a mentor" 'Clint Eastwood' is leaving now, but he'll be around for a few more bars, guiding Russ to keep the beat of the song. If you remember the music video for this song, Russel gets taken over and possessed by Del. This completely matches up with the interpretation of this song, and it causes the zombies to literally awaken from their graves (people waking up). "Bust a few rhymes so mother fuckers Remember where the thought is" The whole reason he is doing this song is to give people a clue to the truth behind inspiration and creativity and its purpose in the world. The real thought behind humanity -- the driving force for progression. "I brought all this So you can survive when law is lawless Feelings, sensations that you thought were dead" Whenever, ifever, everything falls apart and we are trying to rebuild ourselves, we'll need to remember how to be genuinely inspired and progress as a culture. "No squealing, remember (that it's all in your head)" No complaining if things get really bad, or if you can't catch the fuse. Here's the twist, there is no divine power, there is no Clint Eastwood or personification of inspiration -- it's all you, if you allow yourself to. |
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| Kanye West – Runaway Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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I think so many people are connecting to a song that seems so deliberately specific because Kanye West is just blatantly telling everyone that he doesn't know how to truly connect with anyone on any level, is always criticizing everything including himself and simply just does not know how to be completely happy with another person or with himself in relationship to his own standards. The reason people connect with that, is because so many people feel exactly, the same fucking way. "Have a toast to the douchebags" -- Kanye is considered a douchebag. So is everyone who has felt the way he has. It's time for a toast because there isn't anything else left to do -- a final admittance to the fact that we are all, intrinsically, terribly shallow people no matter where we come from. We can improve upon this, but essentially we've been born to disconnect. We're born to satisfy ourselves, or at least what we see as ourselves for the time being. Then, when we realize that we can't even do that, what else is there left to do but drink, smoke and fuck? Have a toast for the people who at least aware of the fact that these feelings exist, that we can't change and that everything is simply fucked. And the admittance of all this is the first on a stage to genuine correction. Some people say artists are "pansy" for thinking about all this garbage, but they are at least acknowledging it. Baby I've got a plan, run away as fast as you can -- it is the simplest way to say "I'm a terrible person". An insanely humbling song that connects to a very deep place within us all. |
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| Gorillaz – Clint Eastwood Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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This song is written from the perspective of creativity. Every artist knows this, but those who never create will never understand. When anyone creates, they aren't doing shit. You ALWAYS feel like a vessel for something else, and now this vessel is talking (via the rap). Ever wonder why Russell is always so braindead? He's a vessel -- he's an artist for true creativity and inspiration. The whole song is about feeling like fucking Clint Eastwood as you create something. The future is coming on -- because you are creating it. The song is arguing that it isn't really you as much as it is a higher power guiding you towards it. As evidenced by the following lines: "Finally someone let me out of my cage." Self-explanatory, pure, unfiltered inspiration is finally given a voice. "Now time for me is nothing 'cause I'm counting no age." This is something not of our understanding. "No, I couldn't be there. No, you shouldn't be scared. I'm good at repairs and I'm under each snare." No, he can't be constrained with limitations such as time. You shouldn't be scared because this is all natural. He's good at repairing the world around him through his sheer powerful creativity, which progresses humanity. This inspiration is under each snare hit, literally. "Intangible, bet you didn't think, so I command you to. Panoramic view, look I'll make it all manageable." Self-explanatory. Look, he's about to break this down -- it's fine if this is too much to handle. "Pick and choose, sit and lose, all you different crews. Chicks and dudes, who you think is really kicking tunes?" Pick an artist you want, any band -- all these random singers, who do you honestly think is responsible for their success? Themselves? "Picture you getting down in a picture tube, Like you lit the fuse." You honestly think all those artists are anything more than vessels for my sheer power? "You think it's fictional? Mystical, maybe. Spiritual hero who appears in you to clear your view when you're too crazy." You don't believe me, that's cool. Doesn't change it happens all time. "Lifeless, to those the definition for what life is. Priceless to you because I put you on the hype shit. You like it? Gun smoking, righteous, with one token psychic Among those, possess you with one go." After this context, this is all self-explanatory. "I ain't happy. I'm feeling glad. I got sunshine in a bag. I'm useless, but not for long. The future is coming on." He was originally just chilling, now he's about to create. The future is coming the fuck on. "The essence, the basics, without it, you make it." No excuses -- anyone can create. "Allow me to make this childlike in nature. Rhythm, you have it or you don't, that's a fallacy. I'm in them, every sprouting tree, every child apiece, Every cloud at sea," This spirit is all around you and anyone saying it isn't is bullshitting you. "you see with your eye. You see destruction and demise, corruption in disguise, From this fucking enterprise," Self-explanatory. "now I'm sucking to your lies" This bit is when people become corrupt -- when one becomes completely obsessed by the world around them, they corrupt the pure spirit and potential that naturally flowed through them. They cut off the link. "Through Russel, not his muscles, but percussion he provides With me as a guide." Self-explanatory. "Y'all can see me now 'cause you don't see with your eye. You perceive with your mind. That's the inner. So I'm-a stick around with Russ and be a mentor, Bust a few rhymes so motherfuckers remember Where the thought is." Further describing the nature of where thought actually comes from, also self-explanatory. "I brought all this So you can survive when law is lawless. Feelings, sensations that you thought was dead. No squealing, remember that it's all in your head." No crying, remember you can change everything around you by changing your mentality. The only constant is your genuine ability to create and/or become inspired from other creations. Its all in your head, man! |
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| Talking Heads – Once In A Lifetime Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Once In A Lifetime: An theoretical interpretation Once In A Lifetime tells of a man (or a woman) who all of a sudden -- comes to terms with the banality and disconnection he feels towards his present life's situation. The first verse describes his initial shock, in the realization that all of this somehow feels very unfamiliar. He starts questioning surroundings, then the chorus comes in. The chorus is a sudden ephiphany realizing what's been passing him by day-by-day, as the last sentence of the first verse literally asks the question: "Well...How did I get here?" The chorus answers with "Letting the days go by and letting the water hold me down." The water in this context seems completely negative, in my opinion representing every obstacle in life that prevents the main character from truly finding himself. It is an epiphany, and the realization comes from the fact that he's letting materialism and disconnection from reality cause the days to go by. Letting the water pull him down. Despite him having an epiphany that the water is preventing him from enjoying life -- the simple acknowledgement of the water implies that the negativity may remain as the water is not completely out of his thoughts. So the chorus offers a What Happened / This is why sort of call and response. At this point he snaps out of the brief realization, this time a bit more grounded in reality. In this next verse the character becomes more questionable of his present life situation, at the end declaring that he doesn't even belong and that it is all wrong! Then it goes back into a second epiphany of the same topicality as his first. The realization that he can change his current setup -- in this chorus I feel that water means "I can hear the water of life within me and beneath my feet -- I am still alive and can change this setup!" Unfortunately, I fear the water may just mean something else that is materialistic. Because the next bit has the main character freaking out down the line again. In his new situation, the one he thought would work in his most recent epiphany, he thinks that he should be emotionally content -- but he is not. New situation, but it is the "same as it ever was". In the next verse, particularly as evidenced by the distortion throughout the verse, the world is tempting him to let the water pull him down again. It is just a metaphorical way of describing all of life's negative moods and petty desires blinding each of us. This next time however, the third epiphany that is still the same in subject matter as his last two causes him to go insane. He commits suicide, through drowning. He's lost in himself and cannot figure anything out. The water will literally hold him down until he floats lifelessly to the top, the water flowing underground. As he is dying, the next verse are his final contemplations on reality. They are self-explanatory. The epiphany he stumbled upon repeats twice, as if that is all that is left on his mind (in addition to the repeated "same as it ever was" which is the specific thought that drives him to suicide.") Now I personally do not believe this is a literal suicide, I think it is a metaphorical one describing him coming to terms with the superficiality of the world and having an ego death. I just think the water imagery tells the LITERAL side of death, but intended to illustrate the metaphorical concept of an ego death and reconnection with the world. |
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| Animal Collective – People Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| Yeah I heard that too. In my opinion this song is basically like "PEOPLE (wake up and start loving!)" Because that line to me translates to "Damn, you always seem to finally get connected to people right as they are about to die / People always seem to catch on to "things" and "wake up" right at the end of their life" | |
| The Velvet Underground – European Son Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| Discrimination against those who are free, young (both literally and in mentality) and aware. A message to parents, to the intellectuals, to the elite and to anyone who tries to control anyone else in any way imaginable. The freedom explored in the noise is just a literal example of this message. | |
| The Velvet Underground – Black Angel's Death Song Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| Someone living life, making choices, trying to find their place. The last lines are like advice talking about staying balance, not being overwhelmed by truth and realizations and being free to anything you are feeling. Free to your own opinions, path and everything in-between. | |
| The Velvet Underground – I'll Be Your Mirror Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| One of the greatest 'real' love songs ever. It works on any level though -- even for those who aren't at the lowest of lows -- because we are all humans. We all need someone else no matter how well we learn ourselves as individuals. We need that person to connect with us on that other level, to fill in all our flaws as we do the same for them -- to look in their eyes and see not only another person but a fellow human being. Living life, saying "Hey, let's walk this road together" | |
| The Velvet Underground – There She Goes Again Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| Self-awareness at its absolute pinnacle. Manifested through this entire album. | |
| The Velvet Underground – Heroin Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| The lyrics are so straight-forward you don't need any analysis. All I'm going to say is that I love the percussion in this song and how it sounds EXACTLY like a rushing heartbeat just as the lyrics also tend to climax...this song is about heroin, about the high, about the effects, about its negative sides -- about everything. But deeper than that -- its about the choices that people make. Its not special because its about Heroin, but its because its relating WHY someone turns to Heroin. You hear it in the lyrics, in the actual music -- I LOVE THIS BAND. | |
| The Velvet Underground – All Tomorrow's Parties Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| These guys just hit such unbelievable lows and rather than kill themselves -- they made music telling tales from the other spectrum of life. I just can't get over how thankful I am to their music -- it isn't necessarily offering solutions but more, bringing these mentalities to the surface. Superficiality is so, so far away from their music -- it is so fucking REAL. | |
| The Velvet Underground – Run Run Run Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| Velvet Underground songs overall aren't too hard to interpret -- the thing that I love about their lyrics are more the deeper implications behind the song's rather straight-forward lyrics. Why did they make a song about four kids killing themselves on drugs? It is just complete self-awareness. They are dying through their choice of drug, through their lifestyle -- and the self-hatred and equal indifference just resonates through so much of their music. | |
| The Velvet Underground – Venus in Furs Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| The most moving song about S&M of all time. Really, to me, totally can make someone who thought the practice was disgusting or bizarre -- the lyrics totally channel the S&M mentality. Love this band. | |
| The Velvet Underground – Femme Fatale Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| I'm aware that the song is about that type of soulless woman...but in the context of Lou Reed's experiences with Heroin, one could also make a pretty rational metaphorical comparison to the drug in this song. As if Lou Reed was unconsciously writing about Heroin even though he was intending to write about this woman. | |
| The Velvet Underground – I'm Waiting for the Man Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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The song is incredibly straight-forward, but its self-aware of how limiting and pathetic the junkie's experience is. It's conscious of how depressing his lifestyle is in a "black humor" sorta way. The entire song describes what he has to do for his fix, then it ends with the lines: "I'm feeling good, I'm feeling oh so fine Until tomorrow, but that's just some other time" It even ends with one more repetition of "I'm Waiting For My Man", as if its the beginning of another instance where he once more, has to get his fix. Amazing song. |
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| The Velvet Underground – Sunday Morning Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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The song starts out positive with a slight nagging -- "It's Sunday morning and Thank God it is a new day...but why am I feeling so...ah whatever, it's just a restless feeling by my side...I think...no worries..." As it continues it just keeps bouncing back between rather paper thin optimism when compared to everything that happened prior to Sunday Morning. Its Sunday Morning, but despite how positive things might be, the character in the lyrics knows that nothing is really going to change. He ignores that fact for so long, but as the song progress it goes from something beneath the surface to something far more apparant to something that completely overwhelms the positivity. The next part..."Sunday morning...but why am I feeling so...it's just...fuck I've wasted so many years of my life...fuck...whatever it's still Sunday Morning...new day and everything...stay positive" Then the song literally takes a step back and you just hear a more general commentary on this contrasting mentality. Look out! Reality is creeping up behind you -- someone is always trying to bring you back down to the negative reality of your life. The next line is one of my favorites because it works for both optimism and pessimism: "It's nothing at all" can mean "No worries, it's a new day." or the character literally hearing voices around himself -- be them physical or inner thoughts/realizations reminding him of how fucked everything is. Then the depressing realization that there is nothing there -- but he still just drifted off to that dark place and really, it wouldn't be so bad to talk to someone. The rest of the song onwards because overwhelmingly depressing. He's losing it. Sunday morning -- and I'm falling. He's no longer positive. There is a bright sunny day, but all he can think about now is that initial slight inner nagging reminding him of last night, of where he is in life and everything else that hasn't turned out the way he imagined. The initial restlessness has completely taken over the Sunday Morning. "I've got a feeling I don't want to know." Him aware that if he keeps thinking about what happened prior to Sunday Morning, he's not going to like what he finds. As the song comes to an end one can interpret it in the same manner as "It's nothing at all". Sunday Morning repeated can be either the absolute extreme of optimism or the absolute extreme of negativity (and insanity). Repetition of Sunday Morning can mean "Fuck it all, its a new day. Sunday Morning -- its time for a change." Repeatedly reminding himself without dwelling on the restlessness on the current state of how beautiful the day is. However, it can also mean that very same thing but he is failing in convincing himself. He's driven himself to a state of absolute rock bottom in contemplation and, in a fetal-position-mentality, is repeating to himself "Sunday Morning" over and over again despite knowing nothing will change. |
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| Animal Collective – Bees Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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bees is beautiful in how simple it is. if you just read the first half of the lyrics literally and imagine the fear you can get when watching bees fly close to you -- the lyrics completely describe the movement of bees and what they are capable of doing. to me, particularly with the overall contemplative and neutral / spaced out vibe of the music -- i feel like its really just a song describing how love can really take over you. love can be sudden. it can be violent (in heartbreak -- which is explored on the next track). it can come out of nowhere in a sly manner. and the way bees fly around -- you never really know where they are going. keeping in mind 'the birds and the bees' -- the movements of bees are a perfect parallel for love and all its extremes. the second half of the song is commenting on how unpredictable the movements of bees (love) can be, so being that you don't know when a bee is going to feel buzzing up to you -- juuuuuuuuuuust taaaaaaaaake youuuuuuur tiiiiiiiiiiime. they actually reveal to you the true nature of love. saying that even though love is unpredictable it acts on its own time. the bees say "I take my time". the final section of the song is basically objective advice. saying that for those who can't take their time, for those that need the bees, they become beasts. listen to how much he emphasizes the ending s on bees, and then immediately after the beast / the beast / etc you hear a series of growls. like a beast. love can become too much to handle if you are forcing it. |
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| Animal Collective – Banshee Beat Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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this is the most positive breakup song of all time, but i look at it more abstract as the best song ever for dealing with any form of negativity, depression or overall 'bummed-out mood' and even though i got the fact that 'swimming pool' represented some kind of inner peace and several other profound realizations throughout the song -- this time lyrically without a doubt the whole thing clicked on such a cohesive level. the song starts off with the realization or advice from a friend to not worry about this. they'll be time to cry, to go over all the letters and to wonder why. but for now, let's just go swimming. like that is so beautifully simple i feel like crying right now. its so metaphorical for so many things i feel in life. but anyways continuing: the song then goes into a very poetic and abstract stream of consciousness tangent for basically a pretty easily explainable concept. its just all the inner conflict and reasoning felt by whomever just got broken up with by whomever, basically. once you realize that you can see specific examples in every single line. even the repeating chords to me representing a constantly shifting mentality. going back and forth from positive to negative (when the chords progress upwards to when the regress downwards) but anyways after that long section the character realizes that its not worth thinking about and to go out and go swimming. because if he's depressed (snuffed out) and just worrying about this he's definitely not going to go swimming. you can obviously parallel this to any form of depression in your own life with the swimming pool being your own mental center / inner peace. then finally he's had a complete shift in mentality. he admits that he no longer wishes that he was dead (melodramatic etc) and reminds himself that even though people hit lows in their life -- they are lucky to feel those lows. we all have our fits. and specifically to the relationship, there might actually be hope -- because confusion's a natural emotion and they both are feeling it. so if they are miscommunicating, doesn't that mean that above anything else they are both human? (oh and the final two lines are basically more advice that applies to both the breakup/relationship and really life itself when you parallel it to your own ideas) |
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