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Elevate Me Later Lyrics
Well you greet the tokens and stamps
Underneath the fake oil burnin' lamps
In the city we forgot to name
The concourse is four-wheeled shame
And the courthouse's double-breast
I'd like to check out your public protests
Why you're complaining? Ta!
You sleep with electric guitars
Range rovin' with the cinema stars
And I wouldn't want to shake their hands
'Cause they're in such a high protein land
Because there's 40 different shades of black
So many fortresses and ways to attack
So why you complaining? Ta!
Underneath the fake oil burnin' lamps
In the city we forgot to name
The concourse is four-wheeled shame
And the courthouse's double-breast
I'd like to check out your public protests
Why you're complaining? Ta!
Range rovin' with the cinema stars
And I wouldn't want to shake their hands
'Cause they're in such a high protein land
Because there's 40 different shades of black
So many fortresses and ways to attack
So why you complaining? Ta!
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This is also a sequel of sorts, to "Loretta's Scars" from Slanted & Enchanted. The subtitle is "Ell ess two" == LS2.
its poking fun of the shallowness of culture and its not really elevating him.
eloquently put +1
eloquently put +1
Another social critique on California and the LA scene.
i agree.
i agree.
I agree too, to a certain extent. While there are definite LA and California references in this song (like many on Crooked Rain), it also alludes to another one of Crooked Rain's major themes--being thrust into the spotlight of fame and having a real distaste for it.
I agree too, to a certain extent. While there are definite LA and California references in this song (like many on Crooked Rain), it also alludes to another one of Crooked Rain's major themes--being thrust into the spotlight of fame and having a real distaste for it.
great song, but for some reason i like the early version "ell ess two" better. more lo-fi, better name...
Malkmus explained that this song is about his disdain for Political Correctness.
Yeh it's a great skewering of PC, saying how it basically wastes progressive energy on hairsplitting ("forty different shades of black/so many fortresses and ways to attack"). I gotta agree with him there. Also like how he mockingly refers to protests as "complaining".
I love this song. It puts me in a good mood. The middle part is... quite a surprise!
Beautiful song with a verse melody that is unforgettable. Gotta love that second verse: "guitars", "stars", "hand", "land"! -Top Notch song. I think it is about (in fact all of 'Crooked Rain') is about the Music industry, LA life and California culture. As Stephen Malkmus said in the Liner notes of 'Crooked Rain', "We made our Hotel California" - another record about the Music Industry.
Yep, gotta agree. Crooked Rain is about the music industry (specifically, indie culture being appropriated by the major labels), Los Angeles, and California culture in general. CR,CR is like the '90s indie equivalent of Fleetwood Mac's self-titled LP or Rumours in the way it evokes California.
Yep, gotta agree. Crooked Rain is about the music industry (specifically, indie culture being appropriated by the major labels), Los Angeles, and California culture in general. CR,CR is like the '90s indie equivalent of Fleetwood Mac's self-titled LP or Rumours in the way it evokes California.
Now of course Malkmus and Spiral Stairs know California very well, having grown up in Stockton, but I always find it amusing that CR,CR was recorded in New York in the fall and early winter, because it's very much a California summer record!
Now of course Malkmus and Spiral Stairs know California very well, having grown up in Stockton, but I always find it amusing that CR,CR was recorded in New York in the fall and early winter, because it's very much a California summer record!
This is almost insignificant but it sounds like SM says "Top" not "Ta" which makes sense because then they start at the beginning of the song again. He is just yelling to the other members start at the top!
I've thought through this song several times- simply because I like it so much. I know SM kind of saise otherwhise, but its fits the bill perfectly for sending the message, "Don't look up to the lives of others much because they have their own problems as well" and to accept your life. I'm prett sure its not Ta but Tough, which I'm pretty sure he saise in Ell es two and makes a lot more sense- "Why are you complaining? Tough!"
Well your greed for tokens and stamps Underneath the fake oil burning lamps In the city we forgot to name The concourse' is a four wheel shame And the courthouse is double breast I'd like to check out your public (bodily) protest So why you complaining? ta!
I think this talks from the perspective/ to the perspective of someone who doesn't have a lot of money- fake lamps, city area that's not too important. And complaining about it.
Those who sleep with electric guitars Range roving with the cinema stars And I wouldn't want to shake their hand Cause they're in such a high protein land Because there's forty different shades of black So many fortresses and ways to attack So why you complaining? ta!
That part is about being a star, which most people wish they could be. Its saying that they have tough times as well and it isn't all that great. They have many good but many bads as well (so many fortresses and ways to attack" or something along those lines. 40 shades of black refers to how everyone has difficulties in different ways. Political correctness may actually fit into this somehow- I think SM was kindof upset of how many people wished they could be big bands and thought the stars led amazing lives- kindof telling everyone to stop complaining because where he is it isn't much better.
I agree. My only addition is that it's another song on the album that alludes to rock'n'roll mythology--"those who sleep with electric guitars." Add that to "Cut Yr Hair," "Range Life," and "Fillmore Jive," and I think you have enough weight to say that "Silent Kid" could be about an innocent kid entering the rock lifestyle.
I agree. My only addition is that it's another song on the album that alludes to rock'n'roll mythology--"those who sleep with electric guitars." Add that to "Cut Yr Hair," "Range Life," and "Fillmore Jive," and I think you have enough weight to say that "Silent Kid" could be about an innocent kid entering the rock lifestyle.