34 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Head South Lyrics
A surf rock band from the land of plenty
Surf rock bands with no surf, just pine trees
Struck by being ashamed of your old space
Just wanted that mean heat
You bleached your hair
And you pawned your skis
And then you sold out for the
Shade of the palm tree scene
And said, "Oh what a drag!
Oh what a backwards scheme!" 'cause
here things go from gray to gray
And back to gray again
And they get green and go to gray
And go back to gray again
So he said,
[Repeat: x16]
"Head south!"
Struck by being ashamed of your old space
Just wanted that mean heat
You bleached your hair
And you pawned your skis
And then you sold out for the
Shade of the palm tree scene
Sit around in cut off jeans
And cut off jeans are what you mean
When you say,
[Repeat: x12]
"Head south!"
Surf rock bands with no surf, just pine trees
Just wanted that mean heat
You bleached your hair
And you pawned your skis
And then you sold out for the
Shade of the palm tree scene
And said, "Oh what a drag!
Oh what a backwards scheme!" 'cause
here things go from gray to gray
And back to gray again
And they get green and go to gray
And go back to gray again
So he said,
"Head south!"
Just wanted that mean heat
You bleached your hair
And you pawned your skis
And then you sold out for the
Shade of the palm tree scene
Sit around in cut off jeans
And cut off jeans are what you mean
When you say,
"Head south!"
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
The lyrics posted here are incorrect. I believe the correct lyrics are as follows:
A surf rock band from the land of plenty Surf rock bands with no surf, just pine trees Start by being ashamed of your old space Just wanting that mean heat You bleached your hair and you pawned your skis And then you sold out for the shade of the palm tree scene And said, "Oh what a drag! Oh what a backwards scheme!" Cuz here things go from grey to grey and back to grey again And they get green and go to grey and go back to grey again So he said,
"Head south!" [x16]
Struck by being ashamed of your old space Just wanting that mean heat You bleached your hair and you pawned your skis And then you sold out for the shade of the palm tree scene Sit around in cut-off jeans and cut-off jeans are What you mean when you say,
"Head south!" [x12]
I'm not sure about a few parts.......in the third line, the word "start" might be "stuck" or "struck", and the word "shade"(first section, sixth line/second section, fourth line) might be "shape" or "shake". Other than that, I think it's all correct.
@To Xi Ci Ty Definitely "struck" and "shade".
@To Xi Ci Ty Definitely "struck" and "shade".
maybe i'm just locked in the PNW theme, but it seems to me to be criticizing all those bands (or whatever else) that bailed on the PNW for CA. HERE (in the pnw) shit goes from grey to grey to green (clouds, more clouds, lots of green from the rain). things happen slow here and the action is all down south. even norcal (not mention socal) has more going on, it seems like sometimes, than seattle or portland or auburn or issaquah or the aroma (tacoma). we got rallies for nader and long grey beat down winter. you probably got crappy surf rock cred if your band practices in a place evergreen trees cover the hills, shorts are a no-no, where beaches are made of rock and only maniac try swimming in 40 degree water. socal is where THE SHIT for showbiz happens. people want to bail on the pacific northwest and head for browner but hipper pastures--for where the action is rather than working your shit out at home. head for the warm climate and the hot scene--and pretend like you've been there the whole time. you sold out for palm tree seen. socal maybe where the shit is but where your soul ain't.
i wear shorts all the time and i live in auburn lol. but im pretty sure this is how about people and bands head to socal or phx to make it big. and it doesn't hurt to sleep outside there haha like it does here
i wear shorts all the time and i live in auburn lol. but im pretty sure this is how about people and bands head to socal or phx to make it big. and it doesn't hurt to sleep outside there haha like it does here
We have a good indie scene here. If you are some shitty poprock (i think "surf rock" is a way of saying generic popular rock that wont be popular for very long) band maybe moving to LA would do you good, but Seattle and PDX are just as good (if not better) of places for indie bands.
We have a good indie scene here. If you are some shitty poprock (i think "surf rock" is a way of saying generic popular rock that wont be popular for very long) band maybe moving to LA would do you good, but Seattle and PDX are just as good (if not better) of places for indie bands.
kpt, I think bands' sound changing is a tricky topic. Obviously good bands will have something unique which is what endears them to us, and it's sad and shit when they lose that special something. At the same time, you can't expect or want them to just remain static and not develop at all.
If a band intentionally decided to write more poppy music for monetary reasons then I agree that we should scorn such a move, but the tricky thing is discerning whether or not this is the situation. In the case of Modest Mouse, I think it's more likely just a reflection of Isaac's changing world view.
If you look at his early career, he's driving round the PNW, he's living in a flooded house with his parents divorced, he's questioning the point of his existence. These emotions are reflected in the rough emotional early music.
In later albums though, it seems evident to me that his world view has changed. Lyrics from songs such as "Float On", "We've Got Everything" and "People as Places as People" really suggest to me that he's mellowed out a lot and moved to a state of being grateful for everything he's got and loving of the people around him.
If you're not filled with doubt and longing it's ingenuous and fake to keep writing music as if you are, just to keep the original fans happy. Personally, I'm happy for Isaac if my interpretation's correct and he really has found himself at a good point in life.
I think the song is about leaving the seasonal depression of the the north, for the stagnant depression of the south. It's a grass is always greener on the other side mentality that alot of people have. All the interesting people leave the place the grew up in. Interesting people want change and a change of environment from the places you grew up to the places where you end up, The problem is losing what makes you, you in the proceses of moving around.
Coming from Ohio, I have to listen to all the whiners saying how "this state is so boring, I can't wait to get out of here!" And that's what this song is all about. People bailing out of Washington because (sarcastically) it's a "backward scheme." Gotta love the Mouse.
to me this song means being ashamed of who you are so you try to be someone your not then possibly realizing its crappy trying to not be yourself ,by the lyrics----- " And said, "Of what a drag! Oh what a backwards scheme, Cuz here things go from grey To grey and back to grey again And they get green and go to grey And back to grey again"
well its simple it makes me fel good so yeah good way to sum it up ya ?
its one of the most light songs on long drive.
just making fun of all the wananbe surfer kids in WA. it perfectly describes the weather there. but yeah basically its about going south to cali. because theres no surf in washington, just pine trees. really.
mousefan pretty much got it right from my point of view.
I agree with you kingleroythompson. I'm to from Ohio and I know all the whiners.. hell i'm one. What there trieng to say is no matter where you go your going to feel the same way about yourself. plus everyone likes a change of scenery. It makes them feel good.. temporaraly. Untill they get bored of it again and realize that wasn't there problem in the first place.