Lost in Space

Well here goes. I think it's about someone who has particular idea of how they want to live their life that diverges from what society considers conventional and pragmatic. Initially this person isn't where they want to be, perhaps stuck. Those who live conventional lives are now perceiving this person as "lazy" and "crazy" for still pursuing their goals. Trying to drag them down, however they remain hopeful because deep inside they "know there's something more" ahead of them. As this person has been stuck, they've gotten older and watched their idols sellout. Which not only could sew doubt but serves as another sticking point that conventional people use against them, hence "they said your case was tragic". But perseverance pays off, "now, they say it's magic". This person made it to where they want to be to the astonishment of the naysayers. They need "time off for good behavior" because in the face of these people attempting to drag them down they remained composed and civil. It's parable of perseverance, stay true to yourself and your path even when you feel like you're lost in space, there's more to come for you! ;)

[Edit: Wording]

It's sad that no one else has commented this song, but I'm glad to take a first shot at it's meaning. I believe that it's a song about a criminal thinking in his jail cell (as implied by the second verse). He agrees that he should be locked away in the first verse, but he can't quite put a finger on what's been bothering him so much: everyone's turned against him... all of his heroes (whether they be comic book superheroes or admired celebrities) speak out against the actions he commited, and the ones "selling his heroes" are the people who put him away or convicted him. The chorus states that at the time he had been convicted, it had been a tragedy, but now it's a legend that goes down in history. It could also be said that he was innocent. That the courts that convicted him "sold his heroes" and turned everyone against him... you could go either way with it.

I don't think it's from the perspective of a criminal sitting in a jail cell at all. That doesn't seem to fit with Luna's very personal lyrics. Rarely do they venture farther than Dean Wareham's own perspective.

I think it's Dean's way painting himself as feeling guilty, but he doesn't know the reason he feels the way he does. He conjectures in the song about having a hard time dealing with his idols selling out, and maybe thinks of himself as a "sellout."

Just my two cents.

One of the best on the album I think. I love the line "you need/time off/for good/ behavior", can't get enough of that kind of wordplay. I'm not sure if the lyrics are Dean talking to himself or if it's directed toward a person who's acting out and feeling trapped and tired. Just my share of the two cents pile going on

To me this song is the second part of Luna's song "Moon Palace" on their Penthouse album. The lyrics

"And you know there's something else But you can't give a name Someone's selling all your heroes And it seems such a shame"

say it all. What you wanted as an carefree adolescent is getting vaguer and vaguer as you're become an adult. All your friends are moving on and doing interesting things, but you're stuck, clinging to the dreams you had in your youth that only make you melancholic.