I think the kids are in trouble
I do not know what all the troubles are for
Give them ice for their fevers
You're the only thing I ever want anymore
Live on coffee and flowers
And try not to wonder what the weather will be
I figured out what we're missing
I tell you miserable things after you are asleep

Now we'll leave the Silver City
'Cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the Silver City
'Cause all the silver girls
Everything means everything

It's a Hollywood summer
You'll never believe the shitty thoughts I think
Meet our friends out for dinner
When I said what I said, I didn't mean anything
We belong in a movie
Try to hold it together until our friends are gone
We should swim in a fountain
Do not want to disappoint anyone

Now we'll leave the Silver City
'Cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the Silver City
To all the silver girls
Everything means everything

I was afraid
I'd eat your brains
I was afraid
I'd eat your brains
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil

I'm a confident liar
Have my head in the oven so you'll know where I'll be
I try to be more romantic
I want to believe in everything you believe
If I was less than amazing
I do not know what all the troubles are for
Fall asleep in your branches
You're the only thing I ever want anymore

Now we'll leave the Silver City
'Cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the Silver City
To all the silver girls
Everything means everything

I was afraid
I'd eat your brains
I was afraid
I'd eat your brains
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil
'Cause I'm evil


Lyrics submitted by Nitro1515, edited by jahjahjeh

Conversation 16 Lyrics as written by Aaron Brooking Dessner Matthew Donald Berninger

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Conversation 16 song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • -3
    General Comment

    The best song on a great album.

    But the lyrics are plain silly. "I was afraid I'd eat your brains"? A zombie metaphor? Rather the manifestation of Matt Berninger leaving the lyrics to the last day again. And once more coming up with nonsensical drivel.

    Too bad. When he starts singing "I'm a confident liar", an amazing musical moment follows. A pity the lyrics aren't nearly as clever as the music.

    Bylandton January 31, 2011   Link

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