I am about to completely dissect this, (a) because i'm tipsy and (b) for some of the misconceptions I have read in the comments. Not to say that I could interpret perfectly or "better" (duh) or anyone is wrong, you can kind of interpret the song anyway that makes you like it more. Which is a big plus about Animal Collective's songwriting or just the band in general. Yeah, yeah everyone knows this blah, blah.
I read an interesting view in the comments about the song being viewed in the eyes of young children in love. Referring to the lyrics about the "kissing place" and throwing rocks in a house (I'm assuming). Which is brilliant because it basically expresses the simplicity of the concept at a young age. With that said, I would say the lines are referring more to the idea of time, how it used to be for him and her (or more so how he wished it would be again). As I think this song is not about falling in love, it is about losing it and moving on past it in a healthy non-self-destructuve way.
Someone in my dictionary's up to no good
I never find the very special words I should
So I have another party with a water glass
-Essentially his conscious mind never finding the "special" words he needs it to in order to express his feelings under the pretense of his uncertainty or nervousness towards the girl to which he is referring, which is where the "water glass" comes in. I'll quote a line from a Circa Survive song as example, "...just keep drinking water and you'll be alright." Hopefully it kind of sums up the point.
and I sit on all your actions its a birthing game
and I'll bet he needs a shower cause hes just like me
-Here we are given the information that there is "someone else". Which will eventually result in his departure from her to a pool. In the comments someone speculates this is the "brother" who is mentioned later in the song. I disagree but we'll get to that. Not exactly sure how to interpret the "birthing game" the only thing I can come to is that he is essentially waiting ("sitting on her actions") for her to change ("birthing game") or (maybe) more specifically, for a new person/personality to be born. It could also just be referring to the lengthy-ness of that process.
He also views the "other" and himself as the same type of person. Possibly, both tired (or exhausted, maybe) from her miscommunication.
It could also just be a very simple idea stated above about being the same type of person or a million other things... moving on.
and the soldiers in the painting know your secret face
Well your parrot told me just how I can make you smile
Gonna let you do your thinking if you need awhile
but what I gave you made him get mad
-Only something around her all the time (that can't judge, or chime in) could know what her "secret face" looks like, which we can assume means she can't or doesn't always express her true feelings. So he would need the "parrot". Which is symbolic for use of surveillance. Hence the only way he could find out what made her happy. Which all in all represents her indecisiveness. He's going to let her think over her decision (between him and the other) and the feelings he gave her made the other get upset. Pretty self-explanatory.
A little bit funny how a thing like that
Could travel from one mouth in through another
and the next thing you know you gotta hear it from your brother and
The words they sting like a stump of old wasps
-Her feelings about "Avey" were apparently expressed amongst others and spread around and here is where I disagree with the "brother" idea mentioned above. I like to think the idea of the "brother" is used as a concept for the idea he lays out about things "traveling from one mouth into another". (Example: the news about the good medicinal weed on the street is spreading from one person to another and eventually spreads all the way to your mom. Yeah, it's some pretty good shit.) Where it eventually reaches her brother and they essentially discuss what her decision is going to be, or to say he gives her "the hard truth" and the words "sting like a stump of old wasps".
Remember when I said go throw the rock in there
and we ran through the woods to our good house
-Brilliantly the songwriting brings us right into a nostalgic memory that represents the decision making where she remembers when they threw rocks in... a house? and ran back to their "good house". (ala Good, simple times.) Since she has made everything terribly complicated (kind of like what I'm doing to this song. It is hilariously quite simple.)
You forgot about the things that he could say like
I dont think that I like you anymore
Well I found new feelings at the feeling store
-Right back to reality, engulfed totally in her conflict she forgets that anyone could possibly not want to be with her and forgets about "the things he could say like, I don't think I like you anymore". Once again, self-explanatory. Im assuming Avey is referring to the others mentality about getting over her, "I found new feelings at the feelings store." Which is pretty brilliant.
and I cant find you at our kissing place
and im scared of those new pair of eyes you have
-It seems Avey is expecting things to be like the days of their youth now that they can be together without conflict. However, he can't seem to find her at her "kissing place" which goes back to the idea of the simplicity of young love and secretively expresses how it will never be like that again amongst the various complications with the situation and how it has now become worse because he see's now that she Resents (Big R) Avey for the entire situation. "I'm scared of those new pair of eyes you have."
So I duck out and go down to find the swimming pool
Hop a fence, leave the street and wet your feet I'll find a swimming pool
-Of course we reach the most staggering part the entire song where Avey decides to leave her as well in the best interest of himself and his happiness. One of the more brilliant things about the whole "swimming pool" is that it precisely works Literally and Conceptually. Many interpret the "swimming pool" is a place in Avey's mind where he goes to "get away", and it's not wrong. Swimming in a pool does exactly that and that's why I would take it in the most literal sense. The pool is a place he can relieve stress and clear his mind, a place he psychologically finds more comfortable and free.
One of my favorite interpretations I found in the comments refers to the next line, specifically "wet your feet" (I would like to mention that the lyric listed on the site is wrong, it is not "my feet" it is "your feet" and there really is a big difference.) as her shedding tears over the fact he left and that the tears wet her feet as she chases to find the pool where he now resides. This is a fantastic interpretation, pretty spot-on.
Cause when I'm snuffed out I doubt I'll find a swimming pool
-He defines his actions. Which is essentially, cause when I'm dead I doubt I'll find a swimming pool. Another comment mentions "carpe diem", this is exactly what the line is expressing. He is not choosing to dwell in complications but rather just swimming because he can.
But I don't wish that I was dead
A very old friend of mine once said
that either way you look at it you have your fits
I have my fits but feeling is good
-Heading towards the beautiful ending of the song, Avey places us in his new "carpe diem-esque" mindset. There is some debate in the comments about weather the line used is "old" or "little". I personally hear "little" but it doesn't matter because they both represent the same idea. I believe the debate may have been because "little" doesn't make sense but a comment does explain "little" meaning the voice inside his head that sits on his shoulder. I found that to be the best interpretation and brilliantly "old" can work in the exact same expression. "Old" in terms of the voice in his head that has been there since the day he was born. The rest is pretty self-explanatory. (You have your problems, I have mine, but at least we have SOMETHING.)
confusions not a kidney stone in my brain
but if were miscommunicating do we feel the same?
-Confusion doesn't haunt his psyche but if they are both unclear of each others intentions does that mean they feel the same way?
This literally took me almost 3 and a half hours to write, and no one will probably even read this but regardless understanding the simple (yet heavy) ideas of entrapment and individuality are something I wanted to express because incredible song-writing like this should not go unnoticed (not that it has). Not exactly sure if those points are evident but I hoped breaking it down would help seeing it more clearly. Not to mention just how far you can take interpreting one song from a group with about 60+ just like it, which essentially separates Animal Collective from any other type of group and recognizes an entirely different and intelligent way of music creation which of course, in ways, makes them superior to others. This is an unquestionably crucial Animal Collective song in the discography and certainly one of the most powerful.
This is a pretty good interpretation. I only want to add something that no one seems to be addressing, how the music correlates with the lyrics.
This is a pretty good interpretation. I only want to add something that no one seems to be addressing, how the music correlates with the lyrics.
The opening lines where Avey is wondering exactly what happened is set to a sort of strumming by Deacon and/or Avey -- non-descript music. About two minutes in, we get a key change and the drum loop, with some added sound effects by Geologist and the toms by Panda. This is where it enters "song mode", where Avey gives us the details of this failed relationship. At the end it fades into just the...
The opening lines where Avey is wondering exactly what happened is set to a sort of strumming by Deacon and/or Avey -- non-descript music. About two minutes in, we get a key change and the drum loop, with some added sound effects by Geologist and the toms by Panda. This is where it enters "song mode", where Avey gives us the details of this failed relationship. At the end it fades into just the loop.
It is just a really mature effort from a band that isn't always, well, "mature". I really do think this is probably their best crafted song.
Just one thing I want to say,
'The words, they sting like a stump of old wasps. Do you remember when I said go throw the rocks in there?'
I think that's connected- the rocks thrown into the stump of wasps, which sent them running for the house.
Or, rather, 'poking the bear' if you will- stirring up something that's gonna be scary and gonna sting.
I enjoy reading your interpretation :)
This song is nothing shy of magic.
Just one thing I want to say,
'The words, they sting like a stump of old wasps. Do you remember when I said go throw the rocks in there?'
I think that's connected- the rocks thrown into the stump of wasps, which sent them running for the house.
Or, rather, 'poking the bear' if you will- stirring up something that's gonna be scary and gonna sting.
I enjoy reading your interpretation :)
This song is nothing shy of magic.
I am about to completely dissect this, (a) because i'm tipsy and (b) for some of the misconceptions I have read in the comments. Not to say that I could interpret perfectly or "better" (duh) or anyone is wrong, you can kind of interpret the song anyway that makes you like it more. Which is a big plus about Animal Collective's songwriting or just the band in general. Yeah, yeah everyone knows this blah, blah.
I read an interesting view in the comments about the song being viewed in the eyes of young children in love. Referring to the lyrics about the "kissing place" and throwing rocks in a house (I'm assuming). Which is brilliant because it basically expresses the simplicity of the concept at a young age. With that said, I would say the lines are referring more to the idea of time, how it used to be for him and her (or more so how he wished it would be again). As I think this song is not about falling in love, it is about losing it and moving on past it in a healthy non-self-destructuve way.
Someone in my dictionary's up to no good I never find the very special words I should So I have another party with a water glass
-Essentially his conscious mind never finding the "special" words he needs it to in order to express his feelings under the pretense of his uncertainty or nervousness towards the girl to which he is referring, which is where the "water glass" comes in. I'll quote a line from a Circa Survive song as example, "...just keep drinking water and you'll be alright." Hopefully it kind of sums up the point.
and I sit on all your actions its a birthing game and I'll bet he needs a shower cause hes just like me
-Here we are given the information that there is "someone else". Which will eventually result in his departure from her to a pool. In the comments someone speculates this is the "brother" who is mentioned later in the song. I disagree but we'll get to that. Not exactly sure how to interpret the "birthing game" the only thing I can come to is that he is essentially waiting ("sitting on her actions") for her to change ("birthing game") or (maybe) more specifically, for a new person/personality to be born. It could also just be referring to the lengthy-ness of that process. He also views the "other" and himself as the same type of person. Possibly, both tired (or exhausted, maybe) from her miscommunication. It could also just be a very simple idea stated above about being the same type of person or a million other things... moving on.
and the soldiers in the painting know your secret face Well your parrot told me just how I can make you smile Gonna let you do your thinking if you need awhile but what I gave you made him get mad
-Only something around her all the time (that can't judge, or chime in) could know what her "secret face" looks like, which we can assume means she can't or doesn't always express her true feelings. So he would need the "parrot". Which is symbolic for use of surveillance. Hence the only way he could find out what made her happy. Which all in all represents her indecisiveness. He's going to let her think over her decision (between him and the other) and the feelings he gave her made the other get upset. Pretty self-explanatory.
A little bit funny how a thing like that Could travel from one mouth in through another and the next thing you know you gotta hear it from your brother and The words they sting like a stump of old wasps
-Her feelings about "Avey" were apparently expressed amongst others and spread around and here is where I disagree with the "brother" idea mentioned above. I like to think the idea of the "brother" is used as a concept for the idea he lays out about things "traveling from one mouth into another". (Example: the news about the good medicinal weed on the street is spreading from one person to another and eventually spreads all the way to your mom. Yeah, it's some pretty good shit.) Where it eventually reaches her brother and they essentially discuss what her decision is going to be, or to say he gives her "the hard truth" and the words "sting like a stump of old wasps".
Remember when I said go throw the rock in there and we ran through the woods to our good house
-Brilliantly the songwriting brings us right into a nostalgic memory that represents the decision making where she remembers when they threw rocks in... a house? and ran back to their "good house". (ala Good, simple times.) Since she has made everything terribly complicated (kind of like what I'm doing to this song. It is hilariously quite simple.)
You forgot about the things that he could say like I dont think that I like you anymore Well I found new feelings at the feeling store
-Right back to reality, engulfed totally in her conflict she forgets that anyone could possibly not want to be with her and forgets about "the things he could say like, I don't think I like you anymore". Once again, self-explanatory. Im assuming Avey is referring to the others mentality about getting over her, "I found new feelings at the feelings store." Which is pretty brilliant.
and I cant find you at our kissing place and im scared of those new pair of eyes you have
-It seems Avey is expecting things to be like the days of their youth now that they can be together without conflict. However, he can't seem to find her at her "kissing place" which goes back to the idea of the simplicity of young love and secretively expresses how it will never be like that again amongst the various complications with the situation and how it has now become worse because he see's now that she Resents (Big R) Avey for the entire situation. "I'm scared of those new pair of eyes you have."
So I duck out and go down to find the swimming pool Hop a fence, leave the street and wet your feet I'll find a swimming pool
-Of course we reach the most staggering part the entire song where Avey decides to leave her as well in the best interest of himself and his happiness. One of the more brilliant things about the whole "swimming pool" is that it precisely works Literally and Conceptually. Many interpret the "swimming pool" is a place in Avey's mind where he goes to "get away", and it's not wrong. Swimming in a pool does exactly that and that's why I would take it in the most literal sense. The pool is a place he can relieve stress and clear his mind, a place he psychologically finds more comfortable and free.
One of my favorite interpretations I found in the comments refers to the next line, specifically "wet your feet" (I would like to mention that the lyric listed on the site is wrong, it is not "my feet" it is "your feet" and there really is a big difference.) as her shedding tears over the fact he left and that the tears wet her feet as she chases to find the pool where he now resides. This is a fantastic interpretation, pretty spot-on.
Cause when I'm snuffed out I doubt I'll find a swimming pool
-He defines his actions. Which is essentially, cause when I'm dead I doubt I'll find a swimming pool. Another comment mentions "carpe diem", this is exactly what the line is expressing. He is not choosing to dwell in complications but rather just swimming because he can.
But I don't wish that I was dead A very old friend of mine once said that either way you look at it you have your fits I have my fits but feeling is good
-Heading towards the beautiful ending of the song, Avey places us in his new "carpe diem-esque" mindset. There is some debate in the comments about weather the line used is "old" or "little". I personally hear "little" but it doesn't matter because they both represent the same idea. I believe the debate may have been because "little" doesn't make sense but a comment does explain "little" meaning the voice inside his head that sits on his shoulder. I found that to be the best interpretation and brilliantly "old" can work in the exact same expression. "Old" in terms of the voice in his head that has been there since the day he was born. The rest is pretty self-explanatory. (You have your problems, I have mine, but at least we have SOMETHING.)
confusions not a kidney stone in my brain but if were miscommunicating do we feel the same?
-Confusion doesn't haunt his psyche but if they are both unclear of each others intentions does that mean they feel the same way?
This literally took me almost 3 and a half hours to write, and no one will probably even read this but regardless understanding the simple (yet heavy) ideas of entrapment and individuality are something I wanted to express because incredible song-writing like this should not go unnoticed (not that it has). Not exactly sure if those points are evident but I hoped breaking it down would help seeing it more clearly. Not to mention just how far you can take interpreting one song from a group with about 60+ just like it, which essentially separates Animal Collective from any other type of group and recognizes an entirely different and intelligent way of music creation which of course, in ways, makes them superior to others. This is an unquestionably crucial Animal Collective song in the discography and certainly one of the most powerful.
This is a pretty good interpretation. I only want to add something that no one seems to be addressing, how the music correlates with the lyrics.
This is a pretty good interpretation. I only want to add something that no one seems to be addressing, how the music correlates with the lyrics.
The opening lines where Avey is wondering exactly what happened is set to a sort of strumming by Deacon and/or Avey -- non-descript music. About two minutes in, we get a key change and the drum loop, with some added sound effects by Geologist and the toms by Panda. This is where it enters "song mode", where Avey gives us the details of this failed relationship. At the end it fades into just the...
The opening lines where Avey is wondering exactly what happened is set to a sort of strumming by Deacon and/or Avey -- non-descript music. About two minutes in, we get a key change and the drum loop, with some added sound effects by Geologist and the toms by Panda. This is where it enters "song mode", where Avey gives us the details of this failed relationship. At the end it fades into just the loop.
It is just a really mature effort from a band that isn't always, well, "mature". I really do think this is probably their best crafted song.
Just one thing I want to say, 'The words, they sting like a stump of old wasps. Do you remember when I said go throw the rocks in there?' I think that's connected- the rocks thrown into the stump of wasps, which sent them running for the house. Or, rather, 'poking the bear' if you will- stirring up something that's gonna be scary and gonna sting. I enjoy reading your interpretation :) This song is nothing shy of magic.
Just one thing I want to say, 'The words, they sting like a stump of old wasps. Do you remember when I said go throw the rocks in there?' I think that's connected- the rocks thrown into the stump of wasps, which sent them running for the house. Or, rather, 'poking the bear' if you will- stirring up something that's gonna be scary and gonna sting. I enjoy reading your interpretation :) This song is nothing shy of magic.