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Black Flowers Lyrics

You can take what you can get
I forgive but I forget
You can never sleep enough
And your alarm is going off
You wake up and you can't pretend
The dream was just a dream again
Won't you dry your eyes
But it doesn't matter anymore
Do just what you did before
Until you realize
The words go la la la la la

You can dip your brain in joy
When you find the real McCoy
And when some pretty boys with skinny ties
Black flowers and Valentines
Try to take your heart
Do you recognize the lie
And stop before you get too high
On your own supply
Singing la la la la la

You want it, you got it
You can't take it home
You've got a long way to go
And I'll wait forever to say that 's enough
You have a heart to show

Honey you don't have to stay inside
Don't have to run, don't have to hide
Go and dry your eyes
You know you can always change your mind
Maybe I will too in time
Once we understand
No one understands at all
Singing la la la la la
Singing la la la la la
12 Meanings

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Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

I'm not sure, but everytime I listen to this song I think about a guy (or girl) who has a friend who's not quite sure of what she wants.

And the guy likes her, and she knows this, but she is still confused about her choices. So she goes around and sleeps with other people.

And it pains him to know that she's going around with guys who wouldn't treat her as well as he would treat her. And she knows it bothers him so she's ashamed. But no matter what happens, the guy is going to support her and wait patiently, hence: "Well you don't have to stay inside Don't have to run, don't have to hide Come dry your eyes You know you can always change your mind".

Or maybe it's about two people in a relationship, and one decides to cheat, and then feels bad about it.

Or maybe a father-daughter relationship, and the father looking after his daughter.

Or maybe I should shut up because I'm not making sense.

Great song. Cheers.

Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

when i hear this song, i think about the beginning of the end of a relationship. one of the hardest parts: the realization that you have been in denial, that it isn't working anymore. one person in the relationship is witnessng the other slowly pulling away. the person pulling away is dreaming of how things could change for the better, and wakes up 'crying'. the other doesn't want things to end, believes that things will work out. maybe this person realizes that there is no 'real McCoy'... he is almost saying "go ahead, try and find it, it doesn't exist" like nothing is perfect, what we have IS the real thing....

"You can never sleep enough And your alarm is going off You wake up and you can't pretend A dream was just a dream again Won't you dry your eyes?

it is hard to describe exactly what i feel this song means literally... it is such a great song and everytime that i hear it, i realize how much i relate to it... in what way? i feel like the person drifting away in the relationship, yet somehow i still empathize with the person who is still in love and has been there supporting all along... that is the beauty in this song, it gives me understanding for both people struggling... each on their own journey...

Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

I believe the line marked ?? is "you got a long way to go"

Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

Just picked up this album today. Wow. The production on this song is great. Gives me goosebumps!

Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

I mostly agree with youmakemenervous(good analysis), but i feel like they were in a relationship before, but they broke up. Though there are still feelings on both sides, and her going around and sleeping with guys leaves her ashamed.

Also this song is good at the writer showing a contrast between him and the other guys:

When some pretty boys with skinny ties With black flowers and Valentines Try to take you home Do you recognize that I Have stopped before you get too high On your own

Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

when i hear this song, i think about the beginning of the end of a relationship. one of the hardest parts: the realization that you have been in denial, that it isn't working anymore. one person in the relationship is witnessng the other slowly pulling away. the person pulling away is dreaming of how things could change for the better, and wakes up 'crying'. the other doesn't want things to end, believes that things will work out. maybe this person realizes that there is no 'real McCoy'... he is almost saying "go ahead, try and find it, it doesn't exist" like nothing is perfect, what we have IS the real thing....

"You can never sleep enough And your alarm is going off You wake up and you can't pretend A dream was just a dream again Won't you dry your eyes?

it is hard to describe exactly what i feel this song means literally... it is such a great song and everytime that i hear it, i realize how much i relate to it... in what way? i feel like the person drifting away in the relationship, yet somehow i still empathize with the person who is still in love and has been there supporting all along... that is the beauty in this song, it gives me understanding for both people struggling... each on their own journey...

Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

it's "high on your own supplies", obviously

Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

I thought it was "You can dip your brain in joy/when you find the real McCoy"

Regardless, great song, one of my favorites on the album.

Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

i think it's 'you wake up and you can't pretend the TRUTH is just a dream again'

Cover art for Black Flowers lyrics by Yo La Tengo

The correct lyrics should be: Do you recognize the lie? Or stop before you get too high On your own supply? Singing La La La La La

 
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