This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
how could you do it
i couldn't say
years built on sand
june until may
second to second
lied even while you held my hand
its death for the living
yes i am a ghost
the mirror is cloudy
i loved you the most
you threw out the pieces
did things we didn't understand
he doesn't want her but he just won't let her go
she started breaking but she still won't let it show
the clothes in the wardrobe
just send them to me
there are bills here for you
that's 'cause nothing is free
we build up with things
to make us who we want to be
is she in the background
i just wouldn't know
did i build you a prison
please don't let me go
i've unlocked the door
but you can't walk away from me
he doesn't want her but he just won't let her go
she started breaking but she still won't let is show
i couldn't say
years built on sand
june until may
second to second
lied even while you held my hand
its death for the living
yes i am a ghost
the mirror is cloudy
i loved you the most
you threw out the pieces
did things we didn't understand
he doesn't want her but he just won't let her go
she started breaking but she still won't let it show
the clothes in the wardrobe
just send them to me
there are bills here for you
that's 'cause nothing is free
we build up with things
to make us who we want to be
is she in the background
i just wouldn't know
did i build you a prison
please don't let me go
i've unlocked the door
but you can't walk away from me
he doesn't want her but he just won't let her go
she started breaking but she still won't let is show
Lyrics submitted by kamanaka
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I think it's pretty obvious what this song is about, and I love it.
how could you do it i couldnt say years built on sand june until may second to second lied even while you held my hand
I think this verse is the girl asking how he could have cheated on her after all that they have been through and after how difficult it was to construct their relationship properly (built on sand). She gave it her all and he acted like he was but in reality he was lying, possibly because she was forcing or in control of the relationship (holding his hand)
its death for the living yes i am a ghost the mirror is cloudy i loved you the most you threw out the pieces did things we didnt understand
here she talks about how painful it is to be cheated on (death for the living), and he retaliates with the fact that he feels dead emotionally (ghost). Shes blaming him for throwing it all away, while he wants her to know that he loved her not the other girl(s).
he doesnt want her but he just wont let her go she started breaking but she still wont let it show
The chorus is about how he did love her and not the other girls, but he didn't actually want to be with her...probably going back to the fact that he seemed to be forced into the relationship by her guiding hand in the first verse. The second line the girls is so hurt by his actions that she is starting to emotional "break" but she is trying not to show it because he is the one that doesn't want her.
the clothes in the wardrobe just send them to me theres bills her for you thats cause nothing is free we FILLED up with things to make us who we want to be
This verse is pretty self explanitory. She has a bunch of his stuff left over at their apartment and he wants it all back if its really over and he has moved out for good. She comments on his bills being there, just reemphasizing the fact that they were living together. His comment about nothing being free is interesting. I think this shows that he has been providing for her for various financial things, probably to make up for the fact that he is cheating on her...like making himself feel better. "filled up with things to make us who we want to be"-i think that this line means that they were going through the motions of making it seem like they were a happy couple, such as doing couple activities/dates/dinners etc
is she in the background? i just wouldnt know did i build you a prison? please dont let me go ive unlocked the doors but you cant walk away from me
This verse clarifys the fact that he was cheating with, "is she in the background?" But, he says he "just wouldn't know," because he ended the affair. When she asks if she built him a prison, she wants to know WHY he cheated on her. She wants to know if she made him feel trapped, if she forced the relationship to happen in the first place, and if he ever truely wanted to be in it with her. In a twist, he says"please don't let me go." This probably means that he doesnt want her to let him go completely because he can't let her go 100% and wants her to hold on to her feelings towards him. She replys with the fact that she has lost all feeling for him and no longer wants him... "i've unlocked the doors"
he doesnt want her but he just wont let her go she started breaking but she still wont let it show he doesnt want her but he just wont let her go
The very last thing they sing sounds like "He doesn't want her but she just won't let him go." which, after hearing it, added a completely new dimension to my understanding of the song.
This song really hits me hard because it describes almost perfectly a situation I'm currently in. I was dating a guy who cheated on me, and we broke up. However, there was never any real closure to the relationship. We still talk, and he won't let go of what we had. It's always "I miss you. When am I going to get to see you again?" Things like that. I'm torn because I really wish he would let go so that I can let go but at the same time it scares me that he will. Then the last line makes me think: am I not really allowing him to let go? I don't know.
Sorry for the personal anecdote. Anyway, that's my take on the song. Other than that, I agree with Taza de Fruta.
translucent shadows is right, the last line sounds like "he doesn't want her but she just wont let him go."
i love this song. i think its about two people trying to get over a break up.
To sum up: complete denial.
I love this song...
one of my favorites.
I think the whole album is about this. It really reminds me of the MountainGoat's
Tallahasee, as an album about a relationship crumbling down in the songs.
Also, the official website says it was supposed to be about Robots and Sex, but it ended being an album about Robots, Death and Sex
this is clearly about a break up with strings attached. 'he dosen't want her but he just wont let her go' its catch 22. cant live with her cant live without/let go of her. i also think the break up is due to cheating and or lying 'how could you do it i couldn't say years built on sand june until may'. everything they had was a lie all the time and energy spent. they both still have feelings for eachother but its doomed.