American Low

As for the meaning of the song...

Oh this hurricane’s blowing us thin

The hurricane is a metaphor for the pressure they are under This never ending swirl of American sin After they broke up with Northstar, they continued to make music >without a label, so the "American sin" is their continuing attempt to >follow their dream, even though they have no income Where I strayed on my knees to a bottomless cage "strayed on my knees" = they are in a weak position, inside the "bottomless cage"= music industry/ America's bottom class Where they throw dollar bills and hope to be saved Think of the biblical parable of the poor woman who gave her last >coin, while the rich man gave a dollar when he could afford much >more. Nick is reminding us that we need to give whatever we can >to help those in need, not just what we have left after we buy >our luxury items. The poshest scarf on the warmest day… Talking about the rich parading wealth. The scarf is only for >show, since it would be completely unnecessary Its enough to make you give up ….she says... I know I know I know …it shows The verse ends with the narrator in complete despair.

As we sleep in this broken Cadillac

Homeless We watch the world leave it doesn’t look back Looking out for help, but getting none I gotta say that…when my heart attacks Don’t return it…it will fire right back... Another expression of hopelessness, if he breaks down don't help him now, he's only going to do it again. So let’s just lie here as they paint us black… Giving up while society writes them off, "paints them black" is referring to Northstar fading away

Oh this earthquake is shaking our hands

The pressure makes it harder for him to make music that will help them reach their goal. Free at the wrists just as we started a dance The only "hopeful" line of the song, it seems he has been released from his obligation, and sees a possibility things could get better. The hardest thing next to diamond rings Is the coats we have to wear just to make ends meet "the coats"= whatever people are forced to do to make money, (shitty job, deal drugs, prostitution) I got this year and fifty more to beat… He's in his mid 20's, so 50 more = mid 70's, avg. life expectancy Its enough to make you give up….she says… I know I know I know….so let go…

The nervous ticks only the holy get

The truly holy have their own struggle The country treats as the cities get sick The wealthy are celebrating, while the poor are starving The lunatics and the Harlem tricks Implying these are effects of poverty, insanity, and illegal activity The country treats as we all get sick…