This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Leave your home
Change your name
Live alone
Eat your cake
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Oh, the water's a-rising
There's still no surprising you
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Man, it's all been forgiven
Swans are a-swimmin'
I'll explain everything to the geeks
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Oh, the water's a-rising
There's still no surprising you
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Man, it's all been forgiven
Swans are a-swimmin'
I'll explain everything to the geeks
Hanging from
Chandeliers
Same small world
At your heels
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Oh, the water's a-rising
There's still no surprising you
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Man, it's all been forgiven
Swans are a-swimmin'
I'll explain everything to the geeks
I'll explain everything to the geeks
I'll explain everything to the geeks
Change your name
Live alone
Eat your cake
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Oh, the water's a-rising
There's still no surprising you
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Man, it's all been forgiven
Swans are a-swimmin'
I'll explain everything to the geeks
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Oh, the water's a-rising
There's still no surprising you
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Man, it's all been forgiven
Swans are a-swimmin'
I'll explain everything to the geeks
Hanging from
Chandeliers
Same small world
At your heels
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Oh, the water's a-rising
There's still no surprising you
Vanderlyle crybaby cry
Man, it's all been forgiven
Swans are a-swimmin'
I'll explain everything to the geeks
I'll explain everything to the geeks
I'll explain everything to the geeks
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I'm not sure if I'm anywhere near correct but I chose to view the concept of 'the geek' in a historical context. By this I mean the carnival freak show type that bit the head off of animals such as, wait for it, swans.
I believe that the swan itself is used as a symbolic gesture of mateship and purity and of course a type of perfectionist view of love. The idea of an individual gnashing teeth and ruthlessly tearing off its head may be a consideration that someone viciously cut ties with little aforethought and now there are deep regrets. Its a reference back to the first verse "Leave your home, change your name". A person can undergo these transformations but the superficiality of them doesn't necessarily erase the actions undertaken in the heat of the moment.
The geek did such things continually and for profit and notoriety. Let's consider it as habitual. The lyricist in this case may have very well learned from his mistakes and is now undertaking a role to educate the geeks who have managed to mask their chewing up and spitting out of an ideal love, in defence of their pride.
This is a lovely interpretation, houdinisgoat. It doesn't all fit with my read, but it is very evocative. <br /> <br /> Ever read the book 'Geek Love'? You ought to.<br /> <br /> My sense of this song, and of the album more broadly, is that the narrator is working through a prolonged and heartbroken mourning. He is in the act of losing - more or less voluntarily - a part of himself. He is mourning the loss of that very "heat of the moment" you refer to. He has now become staid, and in doing so feels he has given an essential part of himself away (to family, relationship, domesticity, could be anything). Now he neither has the strength to walk away from what he feels to be his stifling fate and reclaim this sacrificed part of himself, nor the devotion and clarity in his heart to let go of what he can no longer have. <br /> <br /> Though he's torn, and even tortured about it, it seems to me that he will remain static, and simply remain in place, letting the waters rise around him and reaching no distinct resolution. He slips into living a life he has only half-chosen, and only half gives himself to. <br /> <br /> I know this interpretation is not 'right,' it's just what feels right for me. Anyways, thanks again for your thought-provoking post.
@houdinisgoat Thank you houdinisgoat and CircleCliffs for making the effort to share your insight. CircleCliffs I share your interpretation of the album and the song. And maybe that's why I feel a sense of healing, I can relate to it. Life sucks sometimes but I want to be thankful for the lessons and happiness I've been given. Also thanks for recommending "Geek Love" Sadly I just read by coincidence, the author passed away only three days ago.