"God, if I have to die, then you will have to die"
That's such a powerful statement. Like "my life is not yours to take away, so I'll take you out with me"
I've always thought this song was one of Modest Mouse's darkest, but also one of their best. I think Cowboy Dan is supposed to be Native American. The drinking, the frustration, the cowboy imagery all reminds me of Native Americans, at least the ones in Arizona. Plus, the apathy towards the arrival of modern society points to the plight of the indians.
@bocmaxima Yes! I never thought about that line hard enough, but your interpretation fits really well. Especially with the high level of alcoholism in Native American reservations caused by the depressing state of their situation. It sounds like a guy who got drunk and is really pissed off at the world and therefore pissed off at God for making it like this and making his life hell, so he tries to kill him. Modest Mouse's early music has a huge theme of resentment toward modern society and how its main function is to devour everything and expand itself. Boards of...
@bocmaxima Yes! I never thought about that line hard enough, but your interpretation fits really well. Especially with the high level of alcoholism in Native American reservations caused by the depressing state of their situation. It sounds like a guy who got drunk and is really pissed off at the world and therefore pissed off at God for making it like this and making his life hell, so he tries to kill him. Modest Mouse's early music has a huge theme of resentment toward modern society and how its main function is to devour everything and expand itself. Boards of Canada have a similar view in their music, especially with their multiple references to Native Americans (just mentioning because of your name). It's kind of amazing how in America we sort of gloss over the Native American aspect of our country. We never go in-depth, despite the fact that the genocide of millions of Native Americans is where our country began. I'm glad artists like them are saying something about it. And I love how many layers of meaning Isaac can put into a song.
"God, if I have to die, then you will have to die" That's such a powerful statement. Like "my life is not yours to take away, so I'll take you out with me" I've always thought this song was one of Modest Mouse's darkest, but also one of their best. I think Cowboy Dan is supposed to be Native American. The drinking, the frustration, the cowboy imagery all reminds me of Native Americans, at least the ones in Arizona. Plus, the apathy towards the arrival of modern society points to the plight of the indians.
@bocmaxima Yes! I never thought about that line hard enough, but your interpretation fits really well. Especially with the high level of alcoholism in Native American reservations caused by the depressing state of their situation. It sounds like a guy who got drunk and is really pissed off at the world and therefore pissed off at God for making it like this and making his life hell, so he tries to kill him. Modest Mouse's early music has a huge theme of resentment toward modern society and how its main function is to devour everything and expand itself. Boards of...
@bocmaxima Yes! I never thought about that line hard enough, but your interpretation fits really well. Especially with the high level of alcoholism in Native American reservations caused by the depressing state of their situation. It sounds like a guy who got drunk and is really pissed off at the world and therefore pissed off at God for making it like this and making his life hell, so he tries to kill him. Modest Mouse's early music has a huge theme of resentment toward modern society and how its main function is to devour everything and expand itself. Boards of Canada have a similar view in their music, especially with their multiple references to Native Americans (just mentioning because of your name). It's kind of amazing how in America we sort of gloss over the Native American aspect of our country. We never go in-depth, despite the fact that the genocide of millions of Native Americans is where our country began. I'm glad artists like them are saying something about it. And I love how many layers of meaning Isaac can put into a song.