I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
The clouds are whey there's straw for the donkeys
And the innocents can all sleep safely
My my sun is pie there's fodder for the cannons
And the guilty ones can all sleep safely
And all the world is football shaped,
It's just for me to kick in space
And I can see, hear, smell, touch, taste
And I've got one, two, three, four, five senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in,
I've got one, two, three, four, five senses working overtime
Trying to taste the difference 'tween the lemons and limes
The pain and the pleasure and
The church bells softly chime...
Night fights day there's food for the thinkers
And the innocents can all live slowly
My, my the sky will cry jewels for the thirsty
And the guilty ones can all die slowly
And all the world is biscuit shaped,
It's just for me to feed my face
And birds might fall from black skies
And bullies might give you black eyes
And buses might skid on black ice
But to me it's very beautiful England's glory!
Beautiful a striking beauty!
And all the world is football shaped,
It's just for me to kick in space
And I can see, hear, smell, touch, taste -
And I've got one,two,three,four,five senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in,
I've got one,two,three, four,five senses working overtime
Try to tell the difference 'tween the goods and crimes,
Dirt or treasure and there's One, two, three, four,five senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in,
I've got one, two, three, four, five senses working overtime
Trying to taste the difference 'tween the lemons and limes
The pain and the pleasure and the church bells softly chime...
And the innocents can all sleep safely
My my sun is pie there's fodder for the cannons
And the guilty ones can all sleep safely
And all the world is football shaped,
It's just for me to kick in space
And I can see, hear, smell, touch, taste
And I've got one, two, three, four, five senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in,
I've got one, two, three, four, five senses working overtime
Trying to taste the difference 'tween the lemons and limes
The pain and the pleasure and
The church bells softly chime...
Night fights day there's food for the thinkers
And the innocents can all live slowly
My, my the sky will cry jewels for the thirsty
And the guilty ones can all die slowly
And all the world is biscuit shaped,
It's just for me to feed my face
And birds might fall from black skies
And bullies might give you black eyes
And buses might skid on black ice
But to me it's very beautiful England's glory!
Beautiful a striking beauty!
And all the world is football shaped,
It's just for me to kick in space
And I can see, hear, smell, touch, taste -
And I've got one,two,three,four,five senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in,
I've got one,two,three, four,five senses working overtime
Try to tell the difference 'tween the goods and crimes,
Dirt or treasure and there's One, two, three, four,five senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in,
I've got one, two, three, four, five senses working overtime
Trying to taste the difference 'tween the lemons and limes
The pain and the pleasure and the church bells softly chime...
Lyrics submitted by pumkinhed, edited by sepultura1987
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Quote from Andy Partridge about Senses Working Overtime "It's about what it's like to be alive in England". Great lyrics!
Could there be a link between the line 'And all the world is biscuit/football-shaped' and the line 'And all the world is birthday cake' from The Beatles' It's All Too Much? Hmm..
i love this song, and i'm in the middle of writing a paper about synesthesia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia), and i know this is super weird, but does anyone see why i kinda see synesthesia in the lyrics? all the talk of senses one right after the other makes me feel like maybe they are getting mixed up. maybe i'm just super tired... but anyway... i decided to title my paper "senses working overtime" bc either way, it's a cool and appropriate title :)
I know this is a very old comment, but the writer of the song, Andy Partridge, has said that he has synesthesia and it does in fact affect his song-writing.
This song's meaning has always seemed bright and optimistic on the surface; but if you think about the words, it seems to be a sarcastic condemnation of humanity's imperialistic tendencies. For example, the "it's just for me to feed my face" and "it's just for me to kick in space." That's the way I read it, anyway.
I am sure this song is a hip tongue in cheek Social critic much in the likes of REM "shiny happy people" and others as Lennon sharply did too, his Bungalow Bill with cheery-oh's tunes as example Pointing at the polarizations that blurs things in a society of contrast where the evil ones and innocent herds to be fleeced, cannon fodder fed hay sleep side by side and nothing new...as bells chime the Big Ben old Imperial notes, all is ok and the nights quiet. But his senses perked can't believe all this and react, with no wider options but to amuse self as mobs are told to suck its bitter, when honestly there's not much difference between a lemon or lime and all else mud, dark, shove it while others fettered in jewels and eat their pies too
@Poleyhedron and a critic to Social blind consumerism, led by overloading the senses and satiating their bellies as instincts, numbing even the thinkers, leaving all blunt. To just follow the already asleep decadent gluttons in their swallowing in global overdrive, led by senses. What possibly could be wrong with that? No good or bad all blurred, two faces of same old coin
Anyone heard Mandy Moore's version on her album "Coverage?" I kinda sorta like it.
Just heard Mandy Moore's version--nice but no edginess as this song deserves. Always thought Kim Deal and/or the Breeders could do a great cover of this!
I know what you mean - there's no edyness in Mandy Moores cover - it's too 'sweet'. IT's ok though, she sings it well I guess.
" edginess (typo :P)
After hearing the original, I can see how Mandy's is not as edgy. That's ok though, she has an incredible voice and a sound all her own. :)