Some said the local lake had been enchanted
Others said it must have been the weather
The neighbors were trying to keep it quiet
But I swear that I could hear the laughter
So they jokingly nicknamed it the porridge
Cause overnight that lake had turned as thick as butter
But the local kids would still go swimming, drinking
Saying that to them it doesn't matter

If you just hold in your breath til you come back up in full
Hold in your breath til you thought it through, you fool

The genius next door was busing tables
Wiping clean the ketchup bottle labels
Getting high and mumbling German fables
Didn't care as long as he was able
To strip his clothes off by the dumpsters
At night while everyone was sleeping
And to wade midway into that porridge
Just him and the secret he was keeping

If you just hold in your breath til you come back up in full
Hold in your breath til you thought it through, you foolish child

In the morning the film crews start arriving
With donuts, coffee and reporters
The kids were waking up hungover
The neighbors were starting up their cars
The garbageman were emptying the dumpsters
Atheists were praying full of sarcasm
And the genius next door was sleeping
Dreaming that the antidote is orgasm

If you just hold in your breath til you come back up in full
Hold in your breath til you thought it through, you foolish child!


Lyrics submitted by lemonjuice

Genius Next Door Lyrics as written by Regina Spektor

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Genius Next Door song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    I like the drowning/orgasm theory, but I have another one I prefer, mostly because it seems a thousand times more common.

    Imagine a guy who lives what seems like a normal life, all the while secretly hoping for greatness - seeking fulfillment in any way possible. To everyone around him, he's normal - better than normal - in fact, he's doing fantastic. But he can tell that he's not. He can tell that he's secretly drowning in his secrets and his desires and his disappointment.

    Anyways, that's all I got right now. I was inspired by an ex who actually makes me sick to my stomach these days...

    dance|with|meon July 12, 2007   Link

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