I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, the meaning of this song was hard for me to pin down. I'm still not sure I've got it, but here's my interpretation anyway:
The song is an argument (or meltdown) between two people, a man and a woman. The man is the bohemian, "alternative" artsy type (as evidenced by the fact that he keeps suggesting that the woman run away with him to "start a little repertory moviehouse or something"). She is sort of his sugar momma, for lack of a better term: she's in a better position economically, so she finances his creative endeavors, but she's getting pissed that they never go anywhere and fed up with his mooching. As the song wears on, she becomes more and more angry with him. (In the first chorus, she warily offers him the money. In the second chorus, she suggests he find greener pastures in LA. Finally, she accuses him of blaming her for his lack of success). This is the final straw, as evidenced by the meltdown halfway through the song. ("Well when you like something, it’s an opinion / But when i like something, it’s a manifesto...")
I get the feeling that he lives on Pike Street, or in the general vicinity, whereas she lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Placing this at the end of each chorus advances the plot (he keeps crossing the Manhattan Bridge, going from his place to hers to ask for money) and could also be interpreted as suggestive of their differing economic situations: he's down-and-out at the edge of Chinatown, whereas she's living well in Park Slope (probably in a gorgeous brownstone). The East River is not the only thing separating them.
The song begins from her perspective. She's already getting tired of him making excuses and blaming others for why he hasn't found success in New York City. She suggests he "drive across the country" (a shadow of her later suggestion to go to LA), then sarcastically points out that "no one's keeping you captive in the town that let you down (so sorry)."
He defends himself: "Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not greedy... Like everybody else, i wanna pay my dues..." Then follows up this insistence on his lack of greed with... a request for money.
She's suspicious, but gives him the dough. (I'd like to take this opportunity to mention how much I love Harvey Danger for the "sorry, but I think you might be just projecting" pun. He's projecting the blame onto her like movies are projected onto a screen. Get it?)
"A community of dabblers who are vain and fond of biting backs
('we hate it when our friends become successful')
And a different school whose energies are spent evading income tax...
And silicone enhancements by the breastful."
I'm not sure what this verse is referring to. It might be him blaming his lack of success on the New York art scene. (They're all so catty, you see, they'll stab him in the back as soon as he starts to threaten their fame. And that's why the money she gives him never amounts to anything.) Again, he asks for money. She suggests going to LA.
This is where things get ugly. I've always assumed that one of them says this line:
"Well when you like something, it’s an opinion / But when i like something, it’s a manifesto."
And the other says this line:
"Pomposity is when you always think you’re right / Arrogance is when you know."
Not sure which one says which, but either way, it's evidence of their relationship completely breaking down. Also, the second line ("Pomposity is when you always think you're right / Arrogance is when you know") is just pure genius.
He asks for money again; she refuses even to be nice and suggest alternatives. The relationship is over.
I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, the meaning of this song was hard for me to pin down. I'm still not sure I've got it, but here's my interpretation anyway:
The song is an argument (or meltdown) between two people, a man and a woman. The man is the bohemian, "alternative" artsy type (as evidenced by the fact that he keeps suggesting that the woman run away with him to "start a little repertory moviehouse or something"). She is sort of his sugar momma, for lack of a better term: she's in a better position economically, so she finances his creative endeavors, but she's getting pissed that they never go anywhere and fed up with his mooching. As the song wears on, she becomes more and more angry with him. (In the first chorus, she warily offers him the money. In the second chorus, she suggests he find greener pastures in LA. Finally, she accuses him of blaming her for his lack of success). This is the final straw, as evidenced by the meltdown halfway through the song. ("Well when you like something, it’s an opinion / But when i like something, it’s a manifesto...")
I get the feeling that he lives on Pike Street, or in the general vicinity, whereas she lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Placing this at the end of each chorus advances the plot (he keeps crossing the Manhattan Bridge, going from his place to hers to ask for money) and could also be interpreted as suggestive of their differing economic situations: he's down-and-out at the edge of Chinatown, whereas she's living well in Park Slope (probably in a gorgeous brownstone). The East River is not the only thing separating them.
The song begins from her perspective. She's already getting tired of him making excuses and blaming others for why he hasn't found success in New York City. She suggests he "drive across the country" (a shadow of her later suggestion to go to LA), then sarcastically points out that "no one's keeping you captive in the town that let you down (so sorry)."
He defends himself: "Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not greedy... Like everybody else, i wanna pay my dues..." Then follows up this insistence on his lack of greed with... a request for money.
She's suspicious, but gives him the dough. (I'd like to take this opportunity to mention how much I love Harvey Danger for the "sorry, but I think you might be just projecting" pun. He's projecting the blame onto her like movies are projected onto a screen. Get it?)
"A community of dabblers who are vain and fond of biting backs ('we hate it when our friends become successful') And a different school whose energies are spent evading income tax... And silicone enhancements by the breastful."
I'm not sure what this verse is referring to. It might be him blaming his lack of success on the New York art scene. (They're all so catty, you see, they'll stab him in the back as soon as he starts to threaten their fame. And that's why the money she gives him never amounts to anything.) Again, he asks for money. She suggests going to LA.
This is where things get ugly. I've always assumed that one of them says this line: "Well when you like something, it’s an opinion / But when i like something, it’s a manifesto."
And the other says this line: "Pomposity is when you always think you’re right / Arrogance is when you know."
Not sure which one says which, but either way, it's evidence of their relationship completely breaking down. Also, the second line ("Pomposity is when you always think you're right / Arrogance is when you know") is just pure genius.
He asks for money again; she refuses even to be nice and suggest alternatives. The relationship is over.