I think this song is about some one, who for whatever reason, refuses to participate in life. They are so afraid of screwing up and turning into something that they hate that they would rather sit around. Even when given the opportunity to embrace the beauty of the world (a week in the tropics) they retreat back inside their comfort zone.
This person tries to engage in creativity (the patterns laid out on the bed) but they never get around to actually creating anything. The things that they try to give life to end up dying, but it's enough consolation to know that s/he has the ability (you have the needle) to bring things to pass if they so desired to do so.
I think the people taking "some dimensions" are measureing this person for a coffin. Death, which is certain to come from being so removed from life really upsets the individual this song is about (look what they've done to your face). People in the funeral business make a lot of money, and even though they deal with and profit from death they are able to lead full, wonderful lives. Perhaps in this stanza needle refers to the means with which to kill oneself. If this is the case, this person is essentially able to control the coffin makers because it's up to them when they off themselves. It's the same method of control delivered by having the needle yet being unwilling to finish the project.
I also think the idea about a drug addict is possible, but the interpretation I just described is the first one that popped into my head when I heard this song.
@EphemeralFortress You're mostly right but Amanda Palmer is singing about herself. She frequently refers to herself in her songs as someone very good at standing still. She is singing about her own fears of getting out in the world.
@EphemeralFortress You're mostly right but Amanda Palmer is singing about herself. She frequently refers to herself in her songs as someone very good at standing still. She is singing about her own fears of getting out in the world.
However, she does get out in the world some. She is creative and she does create "sewing machines out of common industrial wastes". Her song is not that she never gets out but that her attempts to get out are often misunderstood. People call themselves friends "in jest" (not "and just"). The fakeness of some people is what drives her back...
However, she does get out in the world some. She is creative and she does create "sewing machines out of common industrial wastes". Her song is not that she never gets out but that her attempts to get out are often misunderstood. People call themselves friends "in jest" (not "and just"). The fakeness of some people is what drives her back into her shell.
The needle symbolizes many things, not just one thing, but I think it mostly symbolizes the pain in her own heart, a pain that both drives her creativity and a pain that causes others to not be comfortable around her so they keep trying to take the needle away. But without that needle, she would be as fake as everyone else. The needle keeps her real and that is the point.
I think this song is about some one, who for whatever reason, refuses to participate in life. They are so afraid of screwing up and turning into something that they hate that they would rather sit around. Even when given the opportunity to embrace the beauty of the world (a week in the tropics) they retreat back inside their comfort zone.
This person tries to engage in creativity (the patterns laid out on the bed) but they never get around to actually creating anything. The things that they try to give life to end up dying, but it's enough consolation to know that s/he has the ability (you have the needle) to bring things to pass if they so desired to do so.
I think the people taking "some dimensions" are measureing this person for a coffin. Death, which is certain to come from being so removed from life really upsets the individual this song is about (look what they've done to your face). People in the funeral business make a lot of money, and even though they deal with and profit from death they are able to lead full, wonderful lives. Perhaps in this stanza needle refers to the means with which to kill oneself. If this is the case, this person is essentially able to control the coffin makers because it's up to them when they off themselves. It's the same method of control delivered by having the needle yet being unwilling to finish the project.
I also think the idea about a drug addict is possible, but the interpretation I just described is the first one that popped into my head when I heard this song.
@EphemeralFortress You're mostly right but Amanda Palmer is singing about herself. She frequently refers to herself in her songs as someone very good at standing still. She is singing about her own fears of getting out in the world.
@EphemeralFortress You're mostly right but Amanda Palmer is singing about herself. She frequently refers to herself in her songs as someone very good at standing still. She is singing about her own fears of getting out in the world.
However, she does get out in the world some. She is creative and she does create "sewing machines out of common industrial wastes". Her song is not that she never gets out but that her attempts to get out are often misunderstood. People call themselves friends "in jest" (not "and just"). The fakeness of some people is what drives her back...
However, she does get out in the world some. She is creative and she does create "sewing machines out of common industrial wastes". Her song is not that she never gets out but that her attempts to get out are often misunderstood. People call themselves friends "in jest" (not "and just"). The fakeness of some people is what drives her back into her shell.
The needle symbolizes many things, not just one thing, but I think it mostly symbolizes the pain in her own heart, a pain that both drives her creativity and a pain that causes others to not be comfortable around her so they keep trying to take the needle away. But without that needle, she would be as fake as everyone else. The needle keeps her real and that is the point.