The Good Times Are Killing Me

The great thing about this song is you do not even have to do drugs to relate to it.

I am straight-edge (don't even drink alchohol) and yet I can relate this song to my escapism, and pretty much anyone can too. Everyone has something, whether it is drugs or sex or video games or books that they use to keep themselves from looking at the cruel monster that is reality, but every one of these "good times" have a debilitating effect along with the pleasure they bring, that slowly kill you.

Plus the sort of low-quality, "acoustic" sound and the talking at the beggining which makes it feel like the guys just sat down in a circle in an empty room one night and churned this out... It's so gritty and fitting...

Who are these people?

"Ever since Isaac cut back on the drugs, he hasnt been as creative."

"Unfortunately I think the lack of acid has killed a lot of creativity in this band as the new album just doesn't have the same catchiness or spark as the previous ones."

Yeah guys Isaac owes it to all of us to do more drugs and f*ck his life up. He's so selfish for not doing drugs and writing songs about NOT doing drugs! Let's all tie him down and stuff a whole bunch of whatever in his mouth so we can be happy with the idea of him being good and drugged up.

What the f*ck is wrong with some of these people? Modest mouse don't owe you a goddamn thing.

I think this song is about drugs, and how using them were the "good times" and then he found out that all that drug usage was killing him. Hence, "The good times are killing me".

He also says something which suggests addiction, to most likely coke or methamphetamines, when he says this:

"Have one, have twenty more "one more"s and oh it does not relent "

I think he's talking about saying this is his last time snorting coke or whatever it may be. He says it's one more time, but it's not which is why he says have "have twenty more "one mores"".

That's just my view, I'm not positive though.

The "real world" is nothing but layers upon layers of illusion. Some figure this out on their own, others are shown this through psychadelic drugs or traumatic experiences. Don't ever accept everything at face value. "Reality is far stranger than we can suppose" -Terence McKenna

Maybe one of the best things about Isaac Brocks writing and Modest Mouse music in general is that though the majority is based on drug use, the songs (especially this one) are so open to interpretation. The good times really are killing us. Too much of a good thing, you know. Its like life cannot afford you to enjoy to much, all the best things will break you down. You don't have to do drugs to realize this. But I will say being 'experienced' will absolutely allow you to pick up on exactly what Brock is writing. Though we can all interpret it for ourselves, its nice to recognize it as he is interpreting it. He is one of the few musicians who really strike me deep, I really feel for this music. Its so perfectly real.

Modest Mouses new cd may not be the best, but lets give em credit people, they gave us like 9 brilliant cds to enjoy. They have the right to sell out.

This song puts an interesting image in my mind. Of being on a carnival ride and forbidden from leaving. Then being serenaded by that clown from the movie "It." ARE YOU HAPPY NOW! HA HA HA!

This seems to fit in well with the lyrics about drugs and this is how you feel when all drugged up all the time. It gets old and the happiness feels creepy instead.

when someone does acid their eyes are opened to a new perception of reality. not unlike turning on a light, when you come down from the stuff its not like the light turns off, its always gonna be on. drugs are kinda like school, they can teach you alot but you can only go to school/do drugs for so long, at some point you need to move on. with that said, isaac has apparently reached that point in his life, he is 'graduating', its not like he will lose all the insight he gained. the change in sound on good news is more likely as a result of their record label and choice of producer this time around, and not because isaac is trying to quit using drugs. oh yeah, dont try to talk about things that you dont have personal experience with because you end up sounding like a dumbass!

I don't know if anyone really cares, but if you turn up the volume really loud, then you can hear this: Is there and ashtray in here or what? Can we smoke in here? Yeah, Eric's got those pockets. (Metronome, song begins)

Thought I'd share...

no one mentioned the flaming lips, as i recall, they helped out on this song. They are a great band.