Lull

I really doubt that 'pulling the goalie' is the focus of this song. I do however think that he is eluding to the fact that song-writing, or art creation in general, is an exercise in self indulgence.

"while i’m airbrushing fantasy art on a life that’s really kind of dull"

I love that line. I love this song. I love Andrew Bird. He's freaking ridiculous.

Those that think this is about masturbation are probably doing that themselves a bit much.

His performance of this on the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour a few years ago was great (you can find it online) and when he sings the Carly Simon reference, people in the audience get it and you can hear them laughing.

Being alone, it can be quite romantic.

One of my favorite songs when I find myself enjoying some solitude.

Thanks for partially ruining the song for me, perverts. I don't know what Andrew Bird was thinking when he wrote this, but I enjoy the feeling that the lyrics evoke. For me it symbolizes tranquil solitude, like what some of you were saying.

I'm glad someone finally put this song up.

"being alone it can be quite romantic like jacques cousteau underneath the atlantic"

Classic.

i’m all for moderation but sometimes it seems moderation itself can be a kind of extreme

Seriously the best line, I've never thought of moderation that way. Andrew Bird is fuckin' incredible.

This song is about waxing the carrot.

I think the last stanza's rather funny, as it's a play on Carly Simon's "You're so Vain," which could have been about Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens, Warren Beatty or Kris Kristofferson.

NIN later put the lines, "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you Don't you? Don't you?" into Starfuckers, Inc.

See the word play? He wrote a song about himself. It's definitely about jerkin it.