In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Packaged like a rebel or a hero
Target mass appeal
To make an audience feel
He really means it
Package the illusion of persona
Careful to conceal
The fact that she's only too real
She's got to screen it
Hit you in a soft place
A melody so sweet
A strong and simple beat
That you can dance to
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Orchestrate illusions
Superconductor
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Hoping you'll believe
Designing to deceive, that's entertainment
He can put a target on the market
Bask in your applause
Reality withdraws
Now he believes it
The role becomes the actor
She's addicted to applause
The stage a world because
She never leaves it
Hit you in a soft place
With sentimental ease
They know the fantasies
That you romance to
Watch her every move
Superconductor
She can manipulate reactions
Superconductor
Watch her every move
Superconductor
Pin the donkeys on her tail
Fantasy for sale, that's entertainment
Hit you in a soft place
A melody so sweet
A strong and simple beat
That you can dance to
Hit you in a soft place
With sentimental ease
They know the fantasies
That you romance to
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Orchestrate illusions
Superconductor
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Hoping you'll believe
Designing to deceive
Watch her every move
Superconductor
She can manipulate reactions
Superconductor
Watch her every move
Superconductor
Pin the donkeys on her tail
Fantasy for sale
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Hoping you'll believe
Designing to deceive, that's entertainment
That's entertainment
That's entertainment
Target mass appeal
To make an audience feel
He really means it
Package the illusion of persona
Careful to conceal
The fact that she's only too real
She's got to screen it
Hit you in a soft place
A melody so sweet
A strong and simple beat
That you can dance to
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Orchestrate illusions
Superconductor
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Hoping you'll believe
Designing to deceive, that's entertainment
He can put a target on the market
Bask in your applause
Reality withdraws
Now he believes it
The role becomes the actor
She's addicted to applause
The stage a world because
She never leaves it
Hit you in a soft place
With sentimental ease
They know the fantasies
That you romance to
Watch her every move
Superconductor
She can manipulate reactions
Superconductor
Watch her every move
Superconductor
Pin the donkeys on her tail
Fantasy for sale, that's entertainment
Hit you in a soft place
A melody so sweet
A strong and simple beat
That you can dance to
Hit you in a soft place
With sentimental ease
They know the fantasies
That you romance to
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Orchestrate illusions
Superconductor
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Hoping you'll believe
Designing to deceive
Watch her every move
Superconductor
She can manipulate reactions
Superconductor
Watch her every move
Superconductor
Pin the donkeys on her tail
Fantasy for sale
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Watch his every move
Superconductor
Hoping you'll believe
Designing to deceive, that's entertainment
That's entertainment
That's entertainment
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This song is about mass media (especially contemporary movies/tv/music). Things are created to pull at your heartstrings and make you like/dislike them without any thought. This idea is nothing new, but it goes one step farther!
The superconductor basks in your applause, and even he starts to 'believe it' 'The role becomes the actor' - the people involved in spinning a web of illusory/deceitful media begin to believe in their fictional world, and reject the reality the rest of us live in.
If you've ever wondered why all the "famous" musicians/actors/directors seem to all date other famous musicians/actors/directors, this is your answer.
@johnstt I think your answer is the best overall -- good job -- but it doesn't mention the meaning of the song name itself. Superconductors are a substance that offer no resistance to electrons. They were all the talk at the end of the 80s, as their benefits for the public market seemed imminent. I think that title was chosen to express the free and pure flow of energy between the performer and the audience, with all the consequences @johnstt mentions above.