I think this was written before he actually broke his jaw, which I think is interesting. He broke his jaw while The Moon & Antarctica was in the works in 1999 (it was released in 2000) and "Might" was recorded in 1995 and 1996 (released in 1996). So the jaw reference is not literal.
I have heard/read many references to broken jaws and everytime I hear them it seems to refer to love (or the lack of love when then there once was love). I have searched for some sort of proof that the broken jaw is a reference to rotting love, but I haven't really found anything published on the idea (sorry to ramble about this). Anyway, I always just take the broken jaw to have something to do with love and to anyone saying Modest Mouse doesn't write about relationships, you may need to listen more carefully.
With a broken jaw it would be difficult to communicate and doing something as simple and vital as getting nutrition even becomes difficult. Take that and apply it metaphorically to any type of love that is falling apart and I think it makes sense--lack of communication, lack of satisfaction due to even the most simple things being difficult.
I know I may not be right, but it's something to think about.
I think this was written before he actually broke his jaw, which I think is interesting. He broke his jaw while The Moon & Antarctica was in the works in 1999 (it was released in 2000) and "Might" was recorded in 1995 and 1996 (released in 1996). So the jaw reference is not literal.
I have heard/read many references to broken jaws and everytime I hear them it seems to refer to love (or the lack of love when then there once was love). I have searched for some sort of proof that the broken jaw is a reference to rotting love, but I haven't really found anything published on the idea (sorry to ramble about this). Anyway, I always just take the broken jaw to have something to do with love and to anyone saying Modest Mouse doesn't write about relationships, you may need to listen more carefully.
With a broken jaw it would be difficult to communicate and doing something as simple and vital as getting nutrition even becomes difficult. Take that and apply it metaphorically to any type of love that is falling apart and I think it makes sense--lack of communication, lack of satisfaction due to even the most simple things being difficult.
I know I may not be right, but it's something to think about.