I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I want to say:
It's my second hand wonder, a thing that recovers the doubt
Slim door,
Like a rainstorm, you've got to do what you want and say it
It's of my design assembled at the cut
Slim door,
It's all right to shake, to fight, to feel
You go down, down, down, down
Slim door,
It's all right to shake, to fight, to feel
You go down, down, down, down
Harness your hopes to the folks with the liquor with the ropes. Red, red ropes, periscopes
They've got everything will ever need stored under the chair
Simmer, simmer, simmer down
Simmer, simmer, simmer down
Don't waste your precious breath explaining that you are worthwhile
Simmer, simmer, simmer down
Simmer, simmer, simmer down
Be patient and I'll let you see my
Carrot rope, feed my thrill,
I got beat by weather
Carrot rope, feed my thrill,
I got beat by weather
Carrot rope, feed my thrill,
It's time to get me off of the ground,
The wicket keeper is down
the wicked keep us down?
Hey little boy, would you like to know what's in my pocket or not
It's no ploy, it's no gimmick,
It's the chance of a lifetime to see something that's never seen by mere mortals
Except me
And myself
And sweet I, so what do you say?
Would you like to play 20 questions with me?
A little, little Christian lie,
A little, little Christian lie
Debating if it's time to drop the bomb on you, my dear
A little, little Christian lie,
A little, little Christian lie
Let's get down to brass tacks and start it
A carrot rope, feed my thrill,
I got beat by weather
A carrot rope, feed my thrill,
I got beat by weather
Carrot rope, feed my thrill
It's time to get me off of the grounds
The wicket keeper is down,
The wicked keeper is down
And he gets me off of the grounds
Leg
It's my second hand wonder, a thing that recovers the doubt
Slim door,
Like a rainstorm, you've got to do what you want and say it
It's of my design assembled at the cut
Slim door,
It's all right to shake, to fight, to feel
You go down, down, down, down
Slim door,
It's all right to shake, to fight, to feel
You go down, down, down, down
Harness your hopes to the folks with the liquor with the ropes. Red, red ropes, periscopes
They've got everything will ever need stored under the chair
Simmer, simmer, simmer down
Simmer, simmer, simmer down
Don't waste your precious breath explaining that you are worthwhile
Simmer, simmer, simmer down
Simmer, simmer, simmer down
Be patient and I'll let you see my
Carrot rope, feed my thrill,
I got beat by weather
Carrot rope, feed my thrill,
I got beat by weather
Carrot rope, feed my thrill,
It's time to get me off of the ground,
The wicket keeper is down
the wicked keep us down?
Hey little boy, would you like to know what's in my pocket or not
It's no ploy, it's no gimmick,
It's the chance of a lifetime to see something that's never seen by mere mortals
Except me
And myself
And sweet I, so what do you say?
Would you like to play 20 questions with me?
A little, little Christian lie,
A little, little Christian lie
Debating if it's time to drop the bomb on you, my dear
A little, little Christian lie,
A little, little Christian lie
Let's get down to brass tacks and start it
A carrot rope, feed my thrill,
I got beat by weather
A carrot rope, feed my thrill,
I got beat by weather
Carrot rope, feed my thrill
It's time to get me off of the grounds
The wicket keeper is down,
The wicked keeper is down
And he gets me off of the grounds
Leg
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Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I always think Pavement songs are about music and how they're approaching us, so that's probably why I somehow interpret the song in that way.
we desperately listen to Pavement, clawing to get to the bottom of a song and see if Malkmus is fo real. yet there's a boundary, and there's always a purposeful misty-que. but hey, lucky day, he's gonna let us know what's in his pocket (something the only other Pmenters have seen). and the carrot rope is that dangling thing out of reach that keeps you entranced by the band, with the horse/donkey-on-a-treadmill thing coming to mind (as someone said above). fitting as their career finale.
yeah of course there are holes and stretches (IN INTENTIONAL REFERENCE TO THEIR OBSCURE SONGWRITING HMMMMMMMMMM), but since this is Pavement's (apparently) most commented song here, I figured I might as well include this other interpretation.