I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When everything is going wrong
And you can't see the point in going on
Well nothing in life is set in stone
There's nothing that can't be turned around
Nobody wants to feel alone
And everybody wants to love someone
Out of the tree go pick a plum
Why can't we all just get along?
(Boys) boys in the girl's room
(Girls) girls in the men's room
You free your mind in your androgyny
(Boys) boys in the parlor
(Girls) they're getting harder
I'll free your mind and your androgyny
No sweeter a taste that you could find
Than fruit hanging ripe upon the vine
There's never been an oyster so divine
A river deep that never runs dry
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need?
The birds and bees they hum along
Like treasures they twinkle in the sun
Get on board and have some fun
Take what you need to turn you on
(Boys) boys in the girl's room
(Girls) girls in the men's room
You free your mind in your androgyny
(Boys) boys in the parlor
(Girls) they're getting harder
I'll free your mind, I'll free your mind
I'll free your mind, I'll free your-
(Boys) behind closed doors and under stars
(Girls) it doesn't matter where you are
(Boys) collecting jewels that catch your eye
(Girls) don't let a soul mate pass you by
Boys in the girl's room
Girls in the men's room
You free your mind in your androgyny
Boys in the parlor
They're getting harder
I'll free your mind, I'll free your mind
Boys in the girl's room
Girls in the men's room
You free your mind in your androgyny
Boys in the parlor
They're getting harder
I'll free your mind, I'll free your mind
I'll free your mind, I'll free your-
Boys
Girls
Boys
Girls
And you can't see the point in going on
Well nothing in life is set in stone
There's nothing that can't be turned around
Nobody wants to feel alone
And everybody wants to love someone
Out of the tree go pick a plum
Why can't we all just get along?
(Boys) boys in the girl's room
(Girls) girls in the men's room
You free your mind in your androgyny
(Boys) boys in the parlor
(Girls) they're getting harder
I'll free your mind and your androgyny
No sweeter a taste that you could find
Than fruit hanging ripe upon the vine
There's never been an oyster so divine
A river deep that never runs dry
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need? What you need?
What you need?
The birds and bees they hum along
Like treasures they twinkle in the sun
Get on board and have some fun
Take what you need to turn you on
(Boys) boys in the girl's room
(Girls) girls in the men's room
You free your mind in your androgyny
(Boys) boys in the parlor
(Girls) they're getting harder
I'll free your mind, I'll free your mind
I'll free your mind, I'll free your-
(Boys) behind closed doors and under stars
(Girls) it doesn't matter where you are
(Boys) collecting jewels that catch your eye
(Girls) don't let a soul mate pass you by
Boys in the girl's room
Girls in the men's room
You free your mind in your androgyny
Boys in the parlor
They're getting harder
I'll free your mind, I'll free your mind
Boys in the girl's room
Girls in the men's room
You free your mind in your androgyny
Boys in the parlor
They're getting harder
I'll free your mind, I'll free your mind
I'll free your mind, I'll free your-
Boys
Girls
Boys
Girls
Lyrics submitted by Metal6Hell6Maker6
Androgyny Lyrics as written by Shirley Ann Manson Douglas Elwin Erickson
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Magical
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American Town
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Woo hoo! Garbage rules!