The Neighbors

My favorite on the album, I think. I love the emotion in the crack in her voice when she says "tomorrow's some kind of stranger who Im not supposed to say"

I love this song so much, it's so beautifull and full of emotion. It's like she's trapped in this world where everythings supposed to be all perfect and G-rated, but real life isn't like that and she's trying to hide her real feelings. People try to sanitze everything and make it nice, but reality can be strange and painfull. When she says "What would your mother say, what would your father do, what would the neighbors think, if they only knew" its adressing the feeling that she's not as squeaky clean as she's supposed to be. And really, who hasn't felt like that sometimes? I love the vocals of this song, and I love the message too.

This song reminds me of something like the 50's. Like this idea of everyone is "perfect" but if one saw what it was really like in these perfect houses they would see the reality, that people are putting wine in their coffee cups, that there are roaming blackouts on the street, that these kids are foaming at the mouth. and the "until the news is good" is like people are being forced to hide what they're really feeling.

Kind of re-iterations of what others have said, but...yeah. haha

I feel like I'm late to the party! In a similar vein, I feel like this song addresses the idea of the perfect middle-class family during the 50's and 60's. During those times, threats like the Korean War and conflict with Russia and Cuba were on an all time high, and communist sleeper agents were a constant fear of American citizens. It was around this time that the idea of the perfect white middle-class family came to fruition. It was a way for the public to worry about pettier things than war or nuclear weapons. "Little Suzy on the X show just tracked mud into the house!" Shows like "The Brady Bunch" and "I Love Lucy" were loved by all for their portrayal of the average American home. But, as we all know, that wasn't the case. St. Vincent is trying to tell us that it's not always the best thing to employ "out of sight, out of mind" tactics like this, and it can actually have major issues if what's out of sight acts when it's out of mind. The chorus is my favorite part of this song, painting the image that everyone except the narrator is brainwashed into believing that everything will be alright as long as you don't think about it.

Sister say a prayer for us One we learn from nuns and such I wont believe not a word you speak just make it sweet to hear Lets pour wine in coffe cups, gather round the neighborhood, And shine the headlights on houses untill all the news is good
What would your mother say What would your father do What would the neighbors think

How am i supposed to sleep Roaming blackouts on the streets Not a word, not another speech will run the headlights down

These kids are foaming at the mouth Psychotropic capricorns Tommorows some kind of stranger land where all the news is good

What would your mother say What would your father do What would the neighbors think If they only knew......... knew........

How can one day be alright Then on tuesday loose my mind Tommorows some kind of stranger who im not supposed to see

What would your mother say What would your father do What would the neighbors think If they only knew......... knew........

Lyrics as i hear them, 2nd input would help!

Could she by any chance be an atheist? or agnostic at that. I don't know it's probably just me hearing what I want to hear BUT here I go..

I think the girl in this story was raised in a very religious based environment and she probably ended up going to like a catholic school (or religious school w/e) when she begins saying "say a prayer for us.." I honestly don't believe anything that we were taught during our school years and I won't believe a word you say while praying but If you make it sounds nice I'll be pleased and feelmore at ease with myself."Let's pour wine.." I think all it means is let's keep up good apperances becuase otherwise what would the neighbors think if they saw us with wine glasses in this very conservative neighborhood? "Shine the headlights.." I think is like when people go around and knock ddoor by door to spread the good new of the lord "What will your mother say" refers to the narrator revealing her true feeling towards God and how she doesn't believe in him and yeah.."How am i supposed to sleep.." She doesn't understand why anyone would believe in their right mind would believe all the bull crap being told to her if all of these horrible events all happen under the watchful eye of God."Oh not a word.." She is going to stop and pretending and will no longer give the word of the good lord we'll take away the light ("the truth")"these kids are foaming.." everyone is crazy for believeing and everything in this world is not all rainbows and butterflies not everything is good,so stop trying to be so optimistic and face reality ,that's what she was referring by al; the news is good.." part && I think the line to best support this theory is "Tomorrow's some kind of stranger Who I'm not supposed to see" Why is she supposed to believe in someone which she can not see Give me truth I beg

I hate to sound like all those people in other posts that relate everything to god, Oh well who knows,if this is not what it means at least this song means that TO ME,and that's all that I need, and also I feel at easy with myself because of this song for not being a believer.

Everything is supposed to be perfecta and wonderful, but she's really living with an abusive husband. She wishes someone would figure this out but feels helpless to tell people the truth because everything is supposed to be completely perfect and wonderful and all happy when it isn't but she pretends it is.

Idk to me this just sounds like she's gay or something. But then again I interpret everything to be gay so