Recycled Air Lyrics
duh. green like teenage lovers between the sheets = inexperienced, not sick. he isn't talking about actually flying, he's comparing the sensation of take-off to the beginning of a relationship, "recycled air" = emotions he has felt before, in other relationships. what he is feeling in this new relationship is exciting and scary and in order to keep himself calm, possibly to avoid being hurt, he's telling himself that it's nothing new, just the recycling of past experiences - stale air
At first I wanted to make fun of all of you. And then I actually started laughing at some of these posts.
Most of you are stupidly over interpreting this song. He describes perfectly; taking off on an airplane. You don't have to read between the lines to figure that out.
This song has limitless possibilities if you're going to read into it so stupidly. It's possible he was thinking of something else when he wrote this song, but you guys sure as hell aren't going to know what it is.
The lyrics are so literal and not even remotely suggestive.
I'm sick of all of you people trying to make every freakin' song you've ever heard into some piece of crap relationship song. This song has NOTHING to do with a relationship and YET YOU TRY SO HARD FOR IT TO BE ABOUT ONE.
Amen. Couldn't have said it better myself!
Amen. Couldn't have said it better myself!
Can't Ben Gibbard just write a song about an airplane?? Haha, sheesh!
I think this song was purely meant to evoke feelings similar to those one would feel while riding on an airplane. It has great imagery and the melody is very therapeutic. It's a truely beautiful song for that alone, it doesn't need to be made into more than what it is! I can understand having your own opinions on this song but I don't like when people who are INTERPRETING a song try to pass their INTERPRETATIONS off as facts! No offense to anyone who isn't HOLLYHOAX and far from famous.
I think he wrote this song from a seat on an airplane. It sounds to me like he's talking about looking down on earth. He's "feeling green"... feeling sick. He's tasting recycled air which is exactly how the air in airplanes is.
I agree with all of these ideas. That's the beauty of lyrics- they can mean whatever you'd like them to. The only different idea I have is that green to me means turned on/horny. Has anyone else ever heard that? It very well could mean envious but since it follows with talking about teenage lovers I figured he's turned on by whatever the subject is. That's why I think it's mostly about sex.
I agree with all of these ideas. That's the beauty of lyrics- they can mean whatever you'd like them to. The only different idea I have is that green to me means turned on/horny. Has anyone else ever heard that? It very well could mean envious but since it follows with talking about teenage lovers I figured he's turned on by whatever the subject is. That's why I think it's mostly about sex.
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
I think whatever it is, he's...
I think whatever it is, he's doing something he isn't necessarily proud of. The way he sings "ba ba ba ba" it just sounds like he's just kinda going with it. Like he's cautious, but still moving. In most of his songs the "ba ba" s are different. I think that since a lady sings with him ( I know jenny did in a version I heard, but I'm not sure about the official version), it probably means it's about a relation ship. Think of other songs sang with women: the district sleeps alone, nothing better, etc. They're all about a relationship he's had. There are exeptions of course but that's generally true. Since she just repeats what he says and doesn't have her own lyrics, I'm thinking she doesn't have a lot of argument or say at all in this. She has mutual feelings. I think that's an important part ofit. Now for a total off the wall idea of mine that's not true I'm sure and everyones going to attack: Okay, so if green means envy or that he's turned on, I still don't understand the "from here they can't see me stare part" unless I think he's watching people have sex. I know, crazy. I was thinking he's probably masturbating or something if you compare it to some parts. I feel the knuckles clenched part supports that and so does the inflation part. He's high because he's getting off to other people having sex. He's jealous though that it can't be him with someone else. And recycled air could just be him breathing really hard because of what he's doing.
I know you're thinking I'm a pervert now, haha but it makes sense. Especially since none of the other ideas talk about the line "from here they can't see me stare"
I totally agree, because ben is singing this though, that it's about virginity loss or sex with someone else though. This is, after all, for free thought so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
I agree with all of these ideas. That's the beauty of lyrics- they can mean whatever you'd like them to. The only different idea I have is that green to me means turned on/horny. Has anyone else ever heard that? It very well could mean envious but since it follows with talking about teenage lovers I figured he's turned on by whatever the subject is. That's why I think it's mostly about sex.
I agree with all of these ideas. That's the beauty of lyrics- they can mean whatever you'd like them to. The only different idea I have is that green to me means turned on/horny. Has anyone else ever heard that? It very well could mean envious but since it follows with talking about teenage lovers I figured he's turned on by whatever the subject is. That's why I think it's mostly about sex.
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
I think whatever it is, he's...
I think whatever it is, he's doing something he isn't necessarily proud of. The way he sings "ba ba ba ba" it just sounds like he's just kinda going with it. Like he's cautious, but still moving. In most of his songs the "ba ba" s are different. I think that since a lady sings with him ( I know jenny did in a version I heard, but I'm not sure about the official version), it probably means it's about a relation ship. Think of other songs sang with women: the district sleeps alone, nothing better, etc. They're all about a relationship he's had. There are exeptions of course but that's generally true. Since she just repeats what he says and doesn't have her own lyrics, I'm thinking she doesn't have a lot of argument or say at all in this. She has mutual feelings. I think that's an important part ofit. Now for a total off the wall idea of mine that's not true I'm sure and everyones going to attack: Okay, so if green means envy or that he's turned on, I still don't understand the "from here they can't see me stare part" unless I think he's watching people have sex. I know, crazy. I was thinking he's probably masturbating or something if you compare it to some parts. I feel the knuckles clenched part supports that and so does the inflation part. He's high because he's getting off to other people having sex. He's jealous though that it can't be him with someone else. And recycled air could just be him breathing really hard because of what he's doing.
I know you're thinking I'm a pervert now, haha but it makes sense. Especially since none of the other ideas talk about the line "from here they can't see me stare"
I totally agree, because ben is singing this though, that it's about virginity loss or sex with someone else though. This is, after all, for free thought so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
I agree with all of these ideas. That's the beauty of lyrics- they can mean whatever you'd like them to. The only different idea I have is that green to me means turned on/horny. Has anyone else ever heard that? It very well could mean envious but since it follows with talking about teenage lovers I figured he's turned on by whatever the subject is. That's why I think it's mostly about sex.
I agree with all of these ideas. That's the beauty of lyrics- they can mean whatever you'd like them to. The only different idea I have is that green to me means turned on/horny. Has anyone else ever heard that? It very well could mean envious but since it follows with talking about teenage lovers I figured he's turned on by whatever the subject is. That's why I think it's mostly about sex.
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
I think whatever it is, he's...
I think whatever it is, he's doing something he isn't necessarily proud of. The way he sings "ba ba ba ba" it just sounds like he's just kinda going with it. Like he's cautious, but still moving. In most of his songs the "ba ba" s are different. I think that since a lady sings with him ( I know jenny did in a version I heard, but I'm not sure about the official version), it probably means it's about a relation ship. Think of other songs sang with women: the district sleeps alone, nothing better, etc. They're all about a relationship he's had. There are exeptions of course but that's generally true. Since she just repeats what he says and doesn't have her own lyrics, I'm thinking she doesn't have a lot of argument or say at all in this. She has mutual feelings. I think that's an important part ofit. Now for a total off the wall idea of mine that's not true I'm sure and everyones going to attack: Okay, so if green means envy or that he's turned on, I still don't understand the "from here they can't see me stare part" unless I think he's watching people have sex. I know, crazy. I was thinking he's probably masturbating or something if you compare it to some parts. I feel the knuckles clenched part supports that and so does the inflation part. He's high because he's getting off to other people having sex. He's jealous though that it can't be him with someone else. And recycled air could just be him breathing really hard because of what he's doing.
I know you're thinking I'm a pervert now, haha but it makes sense. Especially since none of the other ideas talk about the line "from here they can't see me stare"
I totally agree, because ben is singing this though, that it's about virginity loss or sex with someone else though. This is, after all, for free thought so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
yes it is about what you see when lookign out a plane window. good song
I agree with all of these ideas. That's the beauty of lyrics- they can mean whatever you'd like them to. The only different idea I have is that green to me means turned on/horny. Has anyone else ever heard that? It very well could mean envious but since it follows with talking about teenage lovers I figured he's turned on by whatever the subject is. That's why I think it's mostly about sex.
I agree with all of these ideas. That's the beauty of lyrics- they can mean whatever you'd like them to. The only different idea I have is that green to me means turned on/horny. Has anyone else ever heard that? It very well could mean envious but since it follows with talking about teenage lovers I figured he's turned on by whatever the subject is. That's why I think it's mostly about sex.
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
I think whatever it is, he's...
I think whatever it is, he's doing something he isn't necessarily proud of. The way he sings "ba ba ba ba" it just sounds like he's just kinda going with it. Like he's cautious, but still moving. In most of his songs the "ba ba" s are different. I think that since a lady sings with him ( I know jenny did in a version I heard, but I'm not sure about the official version), it probably means it's about a relation ship. Think of other songs sang with women: the district sleeps alone, nothing better, etc. They're all about a relationship he's had. There are exeptions of course but that's generally true. Since she just repeats what he says and doesn't have her own lyrics, I'm thinking she doesn't have a lot of argument or say at all in this. She has mutual feelings. I think that's an important part ofit. Now for a total off the wall idea of mine that's not true I'm sure and everyones going to attack: Okay, so if green means envy or that he's turned on, I still don't understand the "from here they can't see me stare part" unless I think he's watching people have sex. I know, crazy. I was thinking he's probably masturbating or something if you compare it to some parts. I feel the knuckles clenched part supports that and so does the inflation part. He's high because he's getting off to other people having sex. He's jealous though that it can't be him with someone else. And recycled air could just be him breathing really hard because of what he's doing.
I know you're thinking I'm a pervert now, haha but it makes sense. Especially since none of the other ideas talk about the line "from here they can't see me stare"
I totally agree, because ben is singing this though, that it's about virginity loss or sex with someone else though. This is, after all, for free thought so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
I love the way Ben Gibbard brings something as mundane as flying to life and makes it sound almost romantic. le sigh.
this is one of my favorites..it's got such a great beat.. no one makes me feel what they feel.
i think this song is meant to be literal.
i think that recycled air is about someone who lost something important to them and is trying to get away and forget.
I take a breath And pull the air in until there's nothing left this could mean that the singer is "preparing for liftoff-" bracing himself to try and leave his negative memories.
I'm feeling green Like teenage lovers between the sheets the last line is probably jsut a simile, but could refer to a lost love. he's feeling refreshed and is beginning to get used to starting over again.
Knuckles clenched to white As the landing gear retract for flight he's afraid of the path ahead and is still remembering the pain of his nostalgia.
My head's a balloon Inflating with the altitude this could mean hes conflicted about his decisions or that he may be falling in love again, for instance when you are in the presence of someone you may have a crush on, your head feels full of air or lead.
I watch the patchwork farms Slow fade into the ocean's arms the singer pushes any potentially painful past experience into his mind's horizon.
And from here they can't see me stare The stale taste of recycled air the first line suggests that he can still see the people he's lost, but cant actually talk to them, which could mean he left them before he could get hurt again, or he's seen them again after they left(of course lost could mean dead or simply went away). the last line could suggest that the singer continues to lose people and meet new ones he grows attached to, which is becoming a tiring cycle.
of course this is just my interpretation, but i hope you like it.