Monsters

I have seen many different explanations for the meaning behind this song. Am I the only person who sees it as a song from the point of view of a tree? How they might see our world if they had a soul, eyes, and a voice. They are buried deep in some peoples hearts and in fact pretty much everyone's stomach. Being eaten by all these little animals that have come to feed on them. We might seem like monsters. Always surrounding them, tearing them down and using their corpses for shelter. Eating their fruits for our gastronomic delights. Deriving some use from their bodies in almost every aspect of our lives. It might become depressing for them to see our insatiable growth out of their own destruction. But, consider the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Their seeds are scattered on the wind. There is always hope. As it becomes closer to the end of the song. If I close my eyes I envision a green hill somewhere between summer and fall. I hear the swaying instrumentals as the wind. I can see a tree tilting in the breeze and singing. If I am lost it's only for a little while.

If this is the intended meaning of the song, it can only show the bands incredible poetry in their writing and music. As they are not speaking out against violence against trees. But, merely showing how they might see us. It is often insightful to see yourself in another pair of eyes than your own. Keep your hearts strong and your minds open.

The beautiful closing lyrics sum this song up perfectly. It's saying that no matter how little hope you have, or how messed up and lost you feel, it will always get better. This song is perfect for reminding us of this.

The opening verse is about being overwhelmed by problems, but finding a way to escape them for a while. It's kinda meditative. It's also about finding hope from your past efforts and successes, as it's easy to forget all the positive things you've done when everything looks bleak. It's like they're buried.

The next verse is about being surrounded by people who want to kick you while you're down, the 'monsters.' However, it's still hopeful, in that the song isn't about hating these monsters, but rather 'transforming' them. It's like having a positive outlook is infectious, and your attitude will stop them.

I had to go back and listen to the lyrics and the ones listed are wrong... Correct lyrics -

A treat for all these problems they cant find you for the moment then for all past efforts they're buried deep beneath your heart and somewhere in your stomach

and hatred for all others when awful people they surround you

well hey they just like monsters they come to feed on me giant little animals to feed

vote to say we got much hope If i am lost its only for a little while

A treat for all these problems they cant find you for the moment then for all past efforts they're buried deep beneath your heart and somewhere in your stomach

and hatred for all others awful people they surround you hey they just like monsters they come to feed on us giant little animals for us

though - to say we got much hope If I am lost it's only for a little while though - to say we got much hope if i am lost it's only for a little while if i am lost it's only for a little while if i am lost it's only for a little while.

I still think it's about smoking some weeed to forget about your problems for a little while... Kind of blows that "tree" theory out of the water though because it's not tree he is saying it's treat.. :)

this song is amazing. My favorite in the album. it inspires such hope and optimism that it makes me happy.

It's funny, at first I really liked Funeral, then I loved I Go To The Barn Because I Like...but this song I think is the best in the album because of its message. It's sad but optimistic and happy.

get up and be happy!

Maybe it's just my Southern slant, but it sounds to me like they're saying "ain't they just like...", not "eh, they just like...".

DirtyPistol, I hear tree, too. I was thinking maybe he is referring to using marijuana to get away from the world for a bit. Tree being slang for marijuana.

i don't go to and i don't believe in church. and i'm just as free to say something in favor of God as all the people out there who bash Him so who cares

I've always considered this one to be the feeling when a person gets when they indulge in nature when things aren't going their way. They come to realize the important things in life and the "monsters" could be referring to the people "feeding" on one's soul. "At tree" still makes me think of how we tend to look at superficial, manmade things as the most important aspect of our existence, but I think that Ben is hinting that there is far more to it then that. "Then for all past efforts, they're buried deep beneath out hearts and somewhere in our stomachs" may refer to one's past attempts to solve the same problem, and "eh, transform all others, when awful people surround you" is simply implying that we should change our perspectives regarding the people who cause us the most stress, grief, or nuisance in our lives. This may not be the "official" interpretation of the most beautiful song EVER (which is usually the case in a beautiful song, it should speak to every person individually in order to provide the most meaning), but this is how I have understood it for years now, and every time I use it in the interpretation I heard, I feel so much more relaxed and happier living this life.

Such a great closing line.

this song is so great, probably my favorite on the album. is it just me or do these guys really dig radiohead? naming their album everyhting all the time, and then "if i am lost it's only for a little while" reminds me hardcore of "for a minute there, i lost myself" - or maybe just a few kickass coincidences.