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.
Swans
Swans
Swans sing songs
All night long
Who knew how warm the islands were
While the frogs look on
It's what the birds prefer
And it's still warm after the sun has gone
I woke up thirsty the day I died
And the tide was swirling
My mouth is so dry
And all I see is sea to shining seas
Swans
Swans
Swans sing songs
All night long
Who knew how warm the islands would be
And who knew just how much
The sky covers me
It makes you forget what it means to be free
I climbed into the blowhole
In the ribs, I found you
With a wick we lit a flame
Now look at the smoke that it blew
The mouth is so wide
Yet all I see is sea
And azure sky
A little wave and ebb tide
Rivers leak
Salt seeps in
Heals wounds
Winds pry apart
Rivers leak
Salt seeps in
Heals wounds
Winds pry apart
Rivers leak
Salt seeps in
Heals wounds
Winds pry apart
Swans
Swans
Swans sung songs
'Til the morning dawned on us
And the sun-smudged peach moon still hung loose
Bones
Bones
Bones
Groan
The sparrows in the trees we leave them for
They love the marrow
I'm thankful for my life
I'm thankful for my life
Swans
Swans sing songs
All night long
Who knew how warm the islands were
While the frogs look on
It's what the birds prefer
And it's still warm after the sun has gone
I woke up thirsty the day I died
And the tide was swirling
My mouth is so dry
And all I see is sea to shining seas
Swans
Swans
Swans sing songs
All night long
Who knew how warm the islands would be
And who knew just how much
The sky covers me
It makes you forget what it means to be free
I climbed into the blowhole
In the ribs, I found you
With a wick we lit a flame
Now look at the smoke that it blew
The mouth is so wide
Yet all I see is sea
And azure sky
A little wave and ebb tide
Rivers leak
Salt seeps in
Heals wounds
Winds pry apart
Rivers leak
Salt seeps in
Heals wounds
Winds pry apart
Rivers leak
Salt seeps in
Heals wounds
Winds pry apart
Swans
Swans
Swans sung songs
'Til the morning dawned on us
And the sun-smudged peach moon still hung loose
Bones
Bones
Bones
Groan
The sparrows in the trees we leave them for
They love the marrow
I'm thankful for my life
I'm thankful for my life
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Ok my theory on Swans / the album as a whole:
Swans is the overture. A person (nick) wakes up on an island the day he was supposed to die (see: who will cut our hair when we're gone?) It covers all the action of the album (waking up, going into a whale, cannibalism etc..)
Humans: they're running out of food, resort to cannibalism
don't call me whitney, bobby: after the cannibalism, he's regretful and talks to the skeleton as his only friend on the tropical island
Rough Gem: doesn't really fit in except the "who lives in those lights.." verse. That verse can be thought of as "wow look there are lights.. we should go there because it's people"
Tsuxiit: traveling music
Where there's...: Get into a whale.. hanging out in a whale.. traveling in a whale.. fun times
Jogging Gorgeous Summer: Having met people inside the whale and eaten a few, the hero falls in love.
Volcanoes: Their island is a volcano. Lots of people die because they think they angered the gods. Alaska melts.
If: getting tired of the person that the hero is with, he threatens that if they're not sweet to him, he'll "salt you to make you savory", implying he'd eat them, too
Ones: depressed about the whole thing, the hero retreats into his mind.
please note that half of this is sarcastic, the other half i believe.
Awesome!
@yanquiUXO Awesome username just fyi and also I believe you're right about a lot but I think the fictional Island just represents Earth, which makes it an even more real place to think about through the album.