Mind Over Matter

i feel the need to let everyone know that mind over matter is actually a song dedicated to the band members moms. Mind over Matter M.O.M. I know this because one of the members father works in my school. He told us that his son and friends were trying to include their mothers in the song without actually having the title mom.

Here's MY interpretation of this song, as it relates to my current situation, specifically my relationship with my girlfriend. It's a stretch, but bare with me if you please.

I think this song is about a couple who've been together for a while, when suddenly one of them decides that they want to "experiment", i.e. initiate an open or, perhaps, polyamorous relationship.

The one who suggested this change may be seeking sexual exploration/experimentation, or even just seeing who else is out there and willing to be in a potentially better relationship than the one they are already in.

With this setting, I think this song is sung from the perspective of the other person, the one who did NOT suggest this open/polyamorous arrangement, and who is clearly conflicted/upset about it. For the purposes of this interpretation, we'll assume this person is a man and his S.O. (the one who suggested the open/poly relationship) is a woman (girlfriend).

Let's break it down (WARNING: Long and very detailed):

"Mind over matter Does it matter to any of us?"

The song starts off with the man trying to accept the idea of opening up the relationship to other sexual partners. He feels insecure about it and is trying to tell himself that it's just a matter of perspective and that sex doesn't really matter in terms of love/affection; sex doesn't equal love.

"Don't change the subject I'm heavy on your love"

The man is struggling to reconcile with his insecurities of sex and what it means in a relationship. He's desperately trying to change his perspective on it for the sake of his girlfriend and their relationship, but finds himself arguing his stance on it (ineffectively) with his S.O. He doesn't understand why she's wanting this change when he's shown her so much love, and feels a little betrayed.

"I missed that train, New York city - it rains! Fly to east L.A. in big jet planes You know you're on my mind"

He explains why his perspective on sex is the way it is, saying that he never hopped on the "casual sex bandwagon" that is prevalent in metro areas, such as NYC. He also points out that even with healthy casual sex in their relationship, rainy days will still be a part of their relationship. He then proceeds to tell her that she can do what she wants ("fly to East LA") and have her fun, but that she's always on his mind.

"And if the world don't break I'll be shakin' it 'Cause I'm a young man after all"

Here, "the world" is his mental and emotional health. It's gnawing at him that he's trying to be comfortable with a situation that he didn't want to be in in the first place, but he's trying his best to embrace the change in his relationship, for her sake ("I'll be shakin' it"), while trying to put on a face for her so she needn't worry ("Cause I'm a young man after all").

"And when the seasons change Will you stand by me? 'Cause I'm a young man built to fall"

Here, the man is saying what he honestly wants to ask her: once she goes through with it and sleeps around with other guys, will she still be the same person who loves him the same? He asks this because he knows he's ultimately gonna be emotionally wounded from the experience ("built to fall").

"Mind over matter, I'm in tatters thinkin' about her Taste my disaster It's heavy on my tongue"

Again, he's trying to remind himself that he's only uncomfortable and insecure about the open relationship because of his preconceptions on the intimacy of sex. He starts getting severely distressed by this, and is "in tatters thinkin' about her" and what she's doing with other guys. He wants her to feel what he's feeling ("taste my disaster").

"All the lights aglow Tokyo - snows Go to watch the show Curtain's closed! I'm watching you this time"

Again, he relates this open arrangement to the modern casual sex ideology that pervades metropolitan areas; here it's Tokyo, an area that's geographically opposite NYC (not exactly, but it's on the other hemisphere), and he points out (again) that it still snows there, even though it's bustling and fun. He also tries to watch her in the act (having sex with another man), perhaps thinking that it would ease his mind ("I'm watching you this time").

The rest of the song can be interpreted from what's here already; pretty straight forward. Hopefully this wasn't too stupid hahaha.

Thanks for reading!

This story to me is about someone who is young and a little lost in the world. He is clawing onto the things that he has, which is someone's love. I feel like missing the train is an indication that he missed out on staying by his love while he explores his adventures in New York, East L.A, and Tokyo. He seems to only find faults in these areas, instead his mind is focused on the love that's holding him together. It also seems that while he is hell bent on holding things together, he is a young man who is faulty and will break those things regardless. It reminds me of a young child, when they will test your boundaries to see if you will abandon them. I still do that too, even though logically it never does get you closer to feeling safe with someone.

[Edit: I missed a couple of details]

This song is pretty straight forward just a traveling man in love with a girl he has been thinking about.

Examples:I missed that train, New York city - it rains! Fly to east L.A. in big jet planes You know you're on my mind

Mind over matter, I'm in tatters thinkin' about her

This also might be about asking a girl on a date the chorus says it all!

It's just a rich tourist singing about his love and weakness

It is about a guy away on tour and he keeps thinking about his love and how he misses her