Tonight

I believe I heard it on an interview with the band that it is a little about suicide; to not lock yourself into yourself (sorry for my english:P) : "Don’t keep it silent and tortured" "Your busted heart will be fine" give up your inner struggling, open yourself up to the people around you, if you are depressed you must give up and seek help and advice, don't hide yourself from the world, don't commit suicide... tonight.

at first i thought that the song was not necessarily about drugs. but a second thought reveals to me that it is about drugs or the rejection of drugs. but it is from the point of view of a non-junkie, maybe talking to a junkie friend.

the first stanza describes the world or consciousness as it is experienced by the speaker.

My mind is like an orchard Clustered in frozen portraits Of Blossoms that bloom so fine, just to drop from the vine I’ve seen 'em all tonight

it seems like a description of a photographic memory from the inside.

i don't know what to make of the "drop from the vine" part, only that is a fucking beautiful metaphor.

in the next stanza the speaker suggests that he could keep his mind (an orchard of memories) silent, and torture it (himself) by not sharing his visions (frozen portraits) with the world, but his heart whines, so [we'll] free up [our] hearts or consciousnesses or needs to create or share that with the world (even by experiencing life)

Could keep it silent and tortured Or shove it unto the floor boards A rusty heart starts to whine, In its tell tale time so free it up tonight

in the next stanza,... i will have to continue later

I agree with hyperhypothetical, in the sense that this song is a broad reference to not dealing with things alone etc.

As far as I see it, the song is written from the position of a caring friend, as oppossed to being from the direct point of view of the drug taker/depressed person. The first stanza:

My mind is like an orchard Clustered in frozen portraits Of Blossoms that bloom so fine, just to drop from the vine I’ve seen 'em all tonight

Seems to me to be that 'caring friend' referring to all the good friends (frozen portraits) he's lost to drug use and insular depression (blossoms so fine...[that] drop from the vine).

This 'caring friend' motif is continued through the song in language of the lyrics, which seem to be shaped as advice-from-experience to someone who is a potential 'dropping bloom'. This is confirmed in stanza 7 with: "Blossoms that bloom so fine, just to drop from the vine. Oh, listen up tonight"

So, for me, the song is essentially re-assuring advice being given by the singer (whether literally or poetically), who has seen too many friends fall prey to drug use, and wants to let those who may still be saved that it is all ok and that "Your busted heart will be fine, In its telltale time, So give it up tonight"

i thought i might have heard

"blossoms that bloom so fine, just to drop from the vinyl"

for some reason that makes me smile..

i just noticed that this song has 60 bpm.

2nd verse

"could keep it silent and tortured" should replace "who'd keep a silent orchard"

The needle, the dirty spoon, the flames and the fumes Just throw them out tonight

Rejection of heroin use.

The time that you’ve been afforded May go unsolved, unrewarded Some nameless you cannot know, may be coming to show you Unbridled love and light

Essentially this is saying that life takes bad turns and there are things that we cannot understand, but yet there are positive aspects to life.

Here are th lyrics from the booklet. There are some big differences, so relisten to the song, and it will change some things. Love the Edgar Allen Poe reference to "The Tell-Tale Heart." If you have not read the story, after you do, you will see the immediate references.

My mind is like an orchard Clustered in frozen portraits Of Blossoms that bloom so fine, just to drop from the vine I’ve seen 'em all tonight

Could keep it silent and tortured Or shove it unto the floor boards A rusty heart starts to whine, In its tell tale time so free it up tonight

Life deals a measly portion Light on good friends and fortune It's chipped you away inside, and drawn all your blinds Conceal ed it all from sight

Could cut that final corner Charge the void no quarter Or skip to the final line of some suicide note well publicized Or give it up tonight

Kindly reverse the order of the options you’ve laid before you The needle, the dirty spoon ,the flames and the fumes Just throw them out tonight

The time that you’ve been afforded May go unsung, unrewarded Some nameless you cannot know ,may be coming to show you Unbridled love and light

Should you grow in an orchard? Covered in dusty portraits Blossoms that bloom so fine ,just to drop from the vine Oh, listen up tonight

Don’t keep it silent and tortured Or shove it all to the floorboards Your busted heart will be fine In its telltale time So give it up tonight

This is gorgeous.

Not quite sure what it's about, but I love how TV On the Radio's lyrics always challenge you and make you think, cos that's what songs should be about.