They said they'd give me everything,
Here's the part that made me laugh.
They didn't give me anything
And then they took half of that.
So sharpen your teeth or lay flat!
You said you'd play clean, oh what a load of crap,
By the time that you were through with me
I had to take a bath
So sharpen your teeth or lay flat!
They said that it'd go good for me,
Rain diamonds and all that.
I stood out in the downpour
Getting hit by broken glass.
So sharpen your teeth or lay flat.
[Pacifico]


Lyrics submitted by boy with no arms

Pacifico Lyrics as written by Corinne Ternovtzeff Alain Manaranche

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Pacifico song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I'm suprised no one got this yet, I thought this song was pretty obviously about Epic, Ugly Casanova was Isaac's "out" with Epic, he said the contract stated he could leave Modest Mouse anytime, for as long as he wants for "Eperimental" side projects with UC, saying he intentionally made it so vague, they couldn't hold him to anything as long as he was in UC. He talks about his experience with Epic in the Onion AV interview saying he made more money after the release of The Lonesome Crowded West because his expenses were so much smaller. The song is about Epic promising him "everything", "diamonds and all that", then they didn't do anything at all, didn't help him sell records, and made his touring much more expensive, basically not making him any more money THEN on top of that, taking half of what he earned for their work. Now he runs Glacial Pace Studios out of a "logging town near Eugene, Or." as a subsidiary of Epic where he can record what he wants as well as other bands and act as a buffer for Epic to keep their hands off of the bands he signs, they only deal with Isaac, not Epic employees.
    "Sharpen your teeth, or lay flat" means man up or play dead, you can fight for what is right or you can play dead, and basically let them do whatever they want

    MadeOfWoodon January 11, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this beautiful song is about the record companies ripping isaac off. Good song. Really good song.

    barnacleson October 03, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    you promised me the world you gave me shit then raped me now im on my feet again yeah im comming back "sharpen your teeth-or lay flat" ready or not, here ii come!

    enteron January 03, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I've been trying to figure out "sharpen your teeth or lay flat." I wish I could find an explanation from Brock or something. I think its a kill or be killed kind of thing

    Modest Mouse32on October 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    is this out of the cd booklet? cause I always thought the lyric was "sharpen your teeth, well their flat" I like this song. and I think that lyric was my favorite.

    mcscumbagon February 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    sharpen your teeth or lay flat. either kill or be killed. thats what i see. im really surprised that there arent more comments on this song. i think it can go so much further than just record companies fucking you over. i see people do this all the time in general relationships.

    CrimsonanCloveron August 25, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Love the way they chant Pacifico in the background. Very cool song.

    Relapseron October 05, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is amazing. The chanting the anger in the lyrics. I think it's about a record company ripping him off, just not sure if he's talking about UP or Epic.

    Relapseron October 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i dont know if it is about epic ripping him off specifically but definately about someone taking advantage of someone else

    noone1111111111111111111on March 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Correction: The record company he's referring to Sub Pop, not Epic, it was before Epic, he's with Epic now, working for Glacial Pace outside Eugene, he runs it with his girlfriend Naheed Simjee. When he started signing people such as Mason Jennings for Glacial Pace (Epic subsidiary) was when he left Sub Pop as their A&R guy

    MadeOfWoodon January 17, 2008   Link

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