Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
Like it's killing me,
It's kidding me around.
This bite, You bit on me.
You put on me a gown.
That fits me like a quarter door
That hits me like a sound.
It's like You shut on me
Or shouldn't be around.
Like the fennel seed,
The funny gene You found.
I like the man-o-weeds,
The man-o-wars abound.
That fits me like a quarter door,
That hits me like a sound.
I might just win a war,
A matador around.
There's still nothing I can say to change
My news for You.
There's still nothing You can do to exchange
My dues to You.
Like You fit on me
To bit on me a bound.
This life that's shut on me
That shouldn't be the grounds
To emulate an epicene
To elevate a sound,
This life, a winner needs,
A winner needs a wand.
Never want to blame You,
Bound You, blame me,
Never want the blame You bound.
Never want to blame You,
Bound me, blame You,
Never want the fame You found.
And where's the same,
And where's the strong,
And where's the guard,
And where's the one who tries to make You?
It's kidding me around.
This bite, You bit on me.
You put on me a gown.
That fits me like a quarter door
That hits me like a sound.
It's like You shut on me
Or shouldn't be around.
Like the fennel seed,
The funny gene You found.
I like the man-o-weeds,
The man-o-wars abound.
That fits me like a quarter door,
That hits me like a sound.
I might just win a war,
A matador around.
There's still nothing I can say to change
My news for You.
There's still nothing You can do to exchange
My dues to You.
Like You fit on me
To bit on me a bound.
This life that's shut on me
That shouldn't be the grounds
To emulate an epicene
To elevate a sound,
This life, a winner needs,
A winner needs a wand.
Never want to blame You,
Bound You, blame me,
Never want the blame You bound.
Never want to blame You,
Bound me, blame You,
Never want the fame You found.
And where's the same,
And where's the strong,
And where's the guard,
And where's the one who tries to make You?
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Well Sufjan always says he looks to his own past and feelings in his writing, so I think it is definitely about himself. I think this song is really a defiant stand against what people think of him, and his choice to venture into music.
It's like the burdens of becoming an "artist" fall upon him, and he questions what he should do with his gown, in which he's probably referencing graduating from college. Now that he has an education he has the doors opened to him to do as he pleases, and become a doctor or lawyer, but he chooses music instead.
Sufjan, it should be noted, was not a musician, however. His major instrument he played in high school and college was the recorder, he always jokes. So what chance is there of him becoming a master of music? There is a much better chance of him becoming the greatest at something else, though that's not where his heart lies.
As for the title, I think the wand could also mean a conductor's baton. A winning composer in the musical world stands before an orchestra leading, and here he is with his ambitions and his degree from the New School.
As for most of it I think it's him questioning God on whether or not he was put on the earth to make music, and on whether or not he will do it anyway, what he "should" do or not.
I love all the close sounds.
This is possibly one of my favorite Sufjan songs. Hard to decide on a favorite though because he is so amazing. I like the addition of his wife's voice.
Turns out he does not have a wife. I just assumed because the woman he sings with has the last name 'Stephens'. Same sound, different spelling. Just didn't notice the spelling at the time. Still a nice addition to the song though.
it sounds like he says in the beginning
'it's like you shit on me or shouldn't be around'
but otherwise. this song is amazing
thats what i thought sunstorm five, so i came here
awesome lyrics
This song confuses the heck out of me...
Anybody have any idea what it means?
I think its about how did something bad, like he broke a girls heart maybe, or broke a promise, or etc.
Im lost. Help me!
Love the song btw =X
yeah, this is one of those songs where you really have no idea what he's talking about
a winner needs a what? a wand? yeah...okay...
I believe Sufjan's use of the word "wand" here to be phallic. Earlier he uses the word "epicene" which means sexless or neuter (I had to look it up!). So a good translation may be "In this life, to be a winner, you need to be a man". This in turn is probably being used as a statement against patriarchal society injustice. Either that or it's a magicians wand to victory!! ;)
I just love this song. It just, idk, feels like he's just trying to let out these feelings held, but I'm probably gonna have to look up some of the words.