The Point of It All

I think this song is about some one, who for whatever reason, refuses to participate in life. They are so afraid of screwing up and turning into something that they hate that they would rather sit around. Even when given the opportunity to embrace the beauty of the world (a week in the tropics) they retreat back inside their comfort zone.

This person tries to engage in creativity (the patterns laid out on the bed) but they never get around to actually creating anything. The things that they try to give life to end up dying, but it's enough consolation to know that s/he has the ability (you have the needle) to bring things to pass if they so desired to do so.

I think the people taking "some dimensions" are measureing this person for a coffin. Death, which is certain to come from being so removed from life really upsets the individual this song is about (look what they've done to your face). People in the funeral business make a lot of money, and even though they deal with and profit from death they are able to lead full, wonderful lives. Perhaps in this stanza needle refers to the means with which to kill oneself. If this is the case, this person is essentially able to control the coffin makers because it's up to them when they off themselves. It's the same method of control delivered by having the needle yet being unwilling to finish the project.

I also think the idea about a drug addict is possible, but the interpretation I just described is the first one that popped into my head when I heard this song.

i'm pretty sure she says "aces" not "racist" but I could be wrong.

this song is love.

This song could be written about me. I have severe mental issues and am highly creative. To stay alive I have to take meds that turn me into a zombie. To be uniquely creative, I have to be off my meds. I spend a lot of time staring at walls wishing I could create. I have friends but they have mostly given up on trying to get me to go out.... That which I live for is not enough to keep me alive. That which keeps me alive (drugs) stops me from doing what I live for....

I agree with me&theminibar. It really sounds like she knew someone who was a herioin or morphine addict and they tryed to help that person and they just went back to his/her old ways. And maybe in the last part where it says "But while you were sleeping some men came around Said they had some dimensions to take I'm not sure what they were talking about But they sure made a mess of your face" maybe he didnt pay his dealer and they came in and beat the living shit out of him/her while they were sleeping.

I think this song is about her knowing a guy and that guy is dead but she doesnt want to believe it so she does stuff like make him confortable ect. But all he does is stare at the wall.

This song struck a vey loud and resonating chord with me. I've listened to it several times and absolutely love it. I think that all the comments regarding the song being about drug abuse do make sense, in a very obvious way. However, I can also see a different interpretation as well one that may be more subtle. I think the song is about someone who has given up or cannot live normally due to a mental issues, autism, depression, schizophrenia etc. The reason I'm leaning more towards crazy than drugs is that A.P. talks A LOT about craziness in her other songs and various mental issues(like Girl Anachronism or Runs in the Family which is on the same album as Point of it All)

It seems the song/story is told from a mothers point of view about her child who for whatever reason is not in touch with the outside world. I use the terms mother/child loosely as it may imply grown daughter/caretaker/sister etc. The mothers opinion although being the care taker, is somewhat dismissive, uncaring, and smug and it seems she relys on given "good appearances" to any possible outsiders. It kind of reminds me a dated, haughty, well to do, woman dealing with the "black" sheep in her life.

"Oh, what a noble, distinguished collection of fine little friends you have made" and "And you're learning that just 'cause they call themselves friends Doesn't meant they'll call" - Is talking about imaginary friends/dolls

"Hitting the tables without you again: "No, we'll wait, no, we promise, we'll wait"- reminded me of a casino, and possibly a reference about being left alone, about people who won't stop living their lives, to wait for someone who doesn't know how to live.

"Maybe a week in the tropics would help to remind you how nice life can be We propped you right up in a chair on a deck with a beautiful view of the sea But a couple weeks later we came back and you and the chair were nowhere to be seen You had magically moved to the closet Eyes fixed to the place where the dryer had been" -To me this reinforcecs the idea of hiding or brushing off the "black sheep" "a week" in the tropics turns into "a couple weeks later" which implies that she had left there and forgotten.

"You're aces for coming along, you're almost human after all"- is a condescending statement thats shows how the mother views her own child.

I think the needle refers to the imaginary reality created by the child. It seems that that there may be moments where the mother trys to get through to the child, or even momemts of lucidity from the child, but effectually, the relationship remains the same.

I agree with the previous comments about the line "But while you were sleeping some men came around Said they had some dimensions to take" - "sleeping" refers to death and "measuresments" for a coffin, and "they sure made a mess of your face" refers to the mortician's job.

I think overall this song is about a person with issues, and their reluctant caretaker. Also about life and the inability, in this case, to live life to its fullest.

Oh and on a side note, I definitely think the phrase is "you're Aces", its a dated figure of speech, one I've heard before, meaning similar to "you're stellar" or "you're great".

This song is absolutely amazing. I found it on YouTube. Does anyone know where I can download it?

To me this sounds like it is about drug abuse- the "needle" presumably referring to heroin or morphine. It's about how the life of an addict is reduced to sitting and "watching the scenery change at a comatose rate" while the only thing that matters is getting another fix:

"But you've got the needle I guess that's the point of it all"

It's an incredibly moving song, I wish they would release it!

This is just my interpretation, what do other people think?

i LOVE this song. hehe.

I think the song is dealing with a friend who is either suicidal or a drug addict, or both.