In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I am ready for my close up today
Too long I’ve let my self-respect stand in my way
Well the prom queen's caught in the high beams
And the strings keen it’s a big scene
But when the house goes up in flames
No one emerges triumphantly from it
When the scum begins to circle the drain
Everybody loves a winner
I spent eight hours in my make-up chair
Waxed my chest and shaved off all my hair
Well the fire's bright and the frame's tight
Try to get right while we’ve still got light
But when the house goes up in flames
No one emerges triumphantly from it
When the scum begins to circle the drain
Everybody loves a winner
Too long I’ve let my self-respect stand in my way
Well the prom queen's caught in the high beams
And the strings keen it’s a big scene
But when the house goes up in flames
No one emerges triumphantly from it
When the scum begins to circle the drain
Everybody loves a winner
I spent eight hours in my make-up chair
Waxed my chest and shaved off all my hair
Well the fire's bright and the frame's tight
Try to get right while we’ve still got light
But when the house goes up in flames
No one emerges triumphantly from it
When the scum begins to circle the drain
Everybody loves a winner
Lyrics submitted by mdon06
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
From the comic: "This song is like Sax Rohmer #1 if the narrator had given up on actually getting home."
Michael Myers Resplendent is all of the resolve and hopeful defiance of Sax Rohmer #1 transformed into resignation and a calm sense of defeat. The narrator of Sax Rohmer is determined to make his triumphant return home in the midst of inevitable failure - referencing the inescapable fates of all things. Here, the narrator goes willingly to his own demise - patiently waiting for his moment. Suddenly, this mythic villain is so humanized and vulnerable.
Given the song title, the imagery is fairly obvious. At the end of Halloween II, Michael Myers is (supposedly) killed in a burning hospital. The lines about shaving and waxing are likely referencing stunt procedures for "body burn" effects - hair is incredibly flammable and harder to protect with flame retardant gel. On a side note, the metaphor also reminded me of the end of the Alpha couple in their burning house (Alpha Rat's Nest).
The title is so fitting. Engulfed in flames, Michael takes his final faltering steps and collapses without a fight.
to the forgotten pits of the internet, I say: I totally meant to upvote this, not downvote. (I'm also reminded a bit of Talhassee, though more the line from 'Have to Explode': "The stage is set, someone's gonna do something someone else will regret.")
It's about giving up and realizing you're not the hero of the story anymore (as in Sax Rohmer, fighting with utter determination through a world of monsters trying to get back home). After an album filled with monsters, it's the narrator that's become the monster. All the preparations have been made---strings keen, hours spent getting the make-up just right. and now all that's left for them (and their house) to go up in flames.
I figure you can take it two ways. Either it's all just a movie, or else it's about a murder and arson.
john darnielle and jeffery lewis made a comic explaining each song on the new album, you can look at it here:
thejeffreylewissite.com/Mt-Goats-Press-Kit-08.html
I was so sure this was about filming a porno for money.
The comic really doesn't explain the meaning of this song.
Personally I think it's about changing yourself for populariity/acceptance.
this song is a narrative on the slasher film halloween, i believe. the main psycho guy is called michael myers, has very stylized movie-disfigurement and ends up getting burned in a housefire. he kills teenagers, which deals with the "prom queen, caught in the high beams" line. the interesting angle is that darnielle deals with the song not through the character michael's perspective but the actor who plays him. he talks about the horror in the film with a kind of impartial, buisinesslike air, and the self respect line i think is about having to dress up in the crazy outfit, as is the line about the make up chair, chest, hair bit. <br /> the thing i am not sure on is the "everybody loves a winner" line. i don't know who the winner is referring to: the people, rid of the threat, michael, in satire, because he didnt win at all, or the actor himself's triumphant performance. any one got any thoughts?
I'm guessing the "Everybody loves a winner" line is meant to imply that nobody loves the protagonist and he knows it.