Flash Delirium Lyrics

Lyric discussion by AndrewVS 

Cover art for Flash Delirium lyrics by MGMT

19 min ago

Rated 0 rate down rate up Okay I have a general sense of what they are talking about. First time I read through I had no clue. Pacing myself, it made may more sense.

" Mild apprehension Blank dreams of the coming fun Distort the odds of a turnaround Gut screams out next to none"

Feels like this is talking about how people are waiting around for something to change -- excited at a coming utopia or perhaps on a smaller level, just a better country. This waiting and dreaming though inspires unrealistic thought, and your gut can sense this pointlessness.

"So turn it on, tune it in And stay inert"

But the least you can do is be aware of things.

"You say “I’ve got the backbone” the back way to escape the gun Climbing a tree with a missing limb And not saving anyone"

Seems to be directed to people who say they got a hold on things -- they know their place in society/the world. They are content with it, and think their plan (most likely consumerist) is "great". They got money in the bank, they are set for life. But the reality is they don't even know their own self let alone what it means to be a human.

"And now it hurts to stay at home and see flash the mirror ball’s throwing mold you can’t get a grip if there’s nothing to hold see the flash catch a white lily laugh and wilt but if you must smash a glass first fill it to the hilt"

Seems to be talking about how people who've lost faith in themselves and society have to rely on fake and generic culture. They have to stay inside and try and grasp onto the presumably creative thought/mold/ideas that comes from the mainstream media -- but if its all based on corruption and nothingness, you are going to feel empty when embrace society's robotic surface. When nature is just subjected to destruction and carelessness, its hard to not feel like the polar opposite reality is really what you should be following (media, society's politically correct soulless mentality). They also mention how those who rebel with violence better at least make a big stir (if you must smash a glass, fill it to the brim).

"Plants, as far as i know are still, still bending toward the light and if we dance until the heart explodes it’ll make this place ignite and even if this hall collapses I can stand by my pillar of hope it’s just a case of Flash delirium"

We don't need consumerism. We don't need all this bullshit. All this materialism. Plants do just fine relying on the most traditional concept in the world -- sunlight. If we just focus on pure culture and ourselves free of influence, we'll make the world ignite in a utopia of free thought. Even if the world falls apart, you still have the human spirit to rely upon. This whole world is in a state of very brief confusion "Flash Delirium". This is all going to go away, but right now (i.e. the entire timeline humans have been in existence) we are just confused. We can be hopeful because of this knowledge.

Here’s a growing culture Deep inside a corpse Ages stuck together Takin it to the source Timeless desperation Pictures on a screen scream “Hey people, what does it mean?”

Could refer to any type of soullessness present in any culture. Facebook seems to bounce around in circles discussing this song and it is mentioned later in the song. We all want to connect with real humans on a real level, so we become desperate. Unfortunately, because of said desperation -- we make compromises. "What does it all mean?" Nothing, sadly. Good intentions, kinda, but there's nothing there. Its not real.

"Comfort keeps us nice So quick to donate everything die wolken drifting blinding smiles circling (einkreisen) and time’s tingling spines attaching hands to floor the rosy-tinted flash

The hot dog’s getting cold and you’ll never be as good as the Rolling Stones watch the birds in the airport gathering dirt crowd the clean magazine chick lifting up her skirt"

Took this as a literal call and response of positivity & free thought versus negativity and suppression. The first bit seems to be poetry or more accurately prose, whereas the second bit seems to counter its free spirit/freeness with pessimism.

"(why close one eye and try to pledge allegiance to the sun when plastic ghosts start terrorizing everyone geometric troops aligning carried up to the burial mounds my earthbound heart is heavy your heartbeat keeps things light with the violence forever threatening the night and even if this hall collapses I can stand by my pillar of hope and trust) lines when I close my eyes and just aim blindly at the sun and hear love when the ghosts start singing terrorizing everyone geometric troops aligning carried up to the burial mounds with gold it’s a heavy load but your you rhythm makes it light and explode like a violent star keeps threatening the night and even if this hall collapses I can stand by my pillar of hope and trust that our heads won’t bust"

When we get in touch with ourselves, all is right. That spirit is what propels people forward. Even as society collapses and corruption takes it final stand, those who are free from external influence will be models for those trapped in the oppression. Beacons of light. Rhythm/a free heartbeat keeps the hatred back and puts everything in check.

"66 55 red battleships 40 earthlike planets 3 holes 2 tits 1 fork in its side zero tears in their eyes

sue the spiders sink the W :o elsh stab your facebook sell sell sell undercooked overdone mass adulation not so funny poisoned honey pseudo science silly money you’re my honey "

First bit seems like a bit of a Revelations-like parody. The ending verse seems to be the direct result of all that suppresses free thought and locks you into materialism and superficial bullshit. Absolute madness. But, its the final step before awakening. An ego death. All that craziness is just a flash of delirium. Society's current state and current influence on your traditional human is just that -- confused and temporary. You can break free of it.