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Selfish Gene Lyrics
Just now I see it so clear
Total shift in the unconscious
[Verse]
When at the start it seems like fates
Have set it up like so much magic
Just a ruse to get you in there
Seems like a spell
And all they talk as if it's come to fill those spaces
Only you can fill those spaces
So when the party goes
It breaks a brittle back
They back, they back
And they keep on rubbing in
How a proper chest is clean
That ain't it
If it comes to fill those spaces
Only you can fill those spaces
So when the party goes
It breaks a brittle back
They back, they back
And they keep on rubbing in
How a proper chest is clean
[Refrain]
That ain't it
Touch a hand, that ain't it
With a wig on that ain't it
It's a promise from some lips
When you touch a hand, that ain't it
With a wig on, that ain't it
Making noise not making songs
When you touch a hand, that ain't it
With a wig on, that ain't it
It might seem they making songs
Now they really making noise
Total shift in the unconscious
[Verse]
[Refrain]
[Outro] x4
You'll trip up again
You'll trip up again
Go get up again
Total shift in the unconscious
When at the start it seems like fates
Have set it up like so much magic
Just a ruse to get you in there
And all they talk as if it's come to fill those spaces
Only you can fill those spaces
It breaks a brittle back
They back, they back
And they keep on rubbing in
How a proper chest is clean
If it comes to fill those spaces
Only you can fill those spaces
It breaks a brittle back
They back, they back
And they keep on rubbing in
How a proper chest is clean
That ain't it
Touch a hand, that ain't it
With a wig on that ain't it
It's a promise from some lips
When you touch a hand, that ain't it
With a wig on, that ain't it
Making noise not making songs
When you touch a hand, that ain't it
With a wig on, that ain't it
It might seem they making songs
Now they really making noise
Total shift in the unconscious
You'll trip up again
You'll trip up again
Go get up again
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Similar to "Tropic of Cancer," this song's about how genes try to continue and survive, and how that influences the decisions we make and impulses we have. Obviously, sex is part of it. "Selfish Gene" is an anti-love song—I'm talking about the Hallmark-card version of love. I'm a big fan of romantic love in general, but the song's about the weird mind games we get into in relationships that aren't particularly healthy. The song is trying to wade through all that.
-Noah Lennox, 2015