Don't know if I'm the only person out there with this particular interpretation, but this is what I got from it - after reading several of the previous comments.
The part I think we can all agree on is the fact that they fight or quarrel, and then find some time for peace at night, i.e. it's a somewhat dysfunctional relationship, but they can't help being attracted to each other, whatever the reason.
What intrigued me the most was the reason behind their disagreements, since the song seems to make little to no reference to it.
As someone else pointed out, "Dahlias" represent an infinite bond, this being his inconditional love, in my opinion. This, together with "cherry trees" (romance) in "Dahlias and cherry trees, I don't recall them anyway" gives me the impression that there was never any romance in this infinite commitment between them; furthermore, added with her being no good and the fact that she may be worried he will tell someone about them, adds an element of guilt.
This all makes it sound like they have a secret relationship she doesn't want anyone to know about, maybe because she hates him or is supposed to, for an unknown reason. To me, this is confirmed by "some lovers know it ain't going to wear out, to each his own the same", indicating that the nature of their relationship is perhaps a bit unusual or even unconventional. "What else is wasted?" being in reference to romance, which has been wasted as she won't accept it from him.
Even the fact that she's "no good" could be an explanation as to why she won't accept his love: perhaps a reputation to maintain.
"The semaphore message on your lips" indicates a visual message she's sending to him, rather than verbal, presumably making him know that she wants him, or even loves him, but never saying it out loud.
As for the rest of the song, I don't completely understand what they mean, particularly in the passage...
"It's time to follow, and not to heat it up
Requesting this plane is a propeller
In the middle of the course when ambitions are low
Head on close, hang on before you lose control"
... so if anyone has an interpretation for that I'd be very happy to hear it. The same goes for the line "the octagon logo had to rip it up", as the only thing that came to mind there was maybe a STOP road sign, but only because of the shape and the fact that right after that they speak of "semaphore" aka traffic lights.
Of course all of this could be completely off track, but you can tell something is good art when everyone takes a different thing from it. Interpretations being highly subjective and all, everyone makes of it what they want. So congratulations Phoenix on a great mystery of a song!
it means that he is aware that every time they follow up on their friendship, things tend to heat up (both physically and emotionally), they get carried away, and end up resuming their "romance".
it means that he is aware that every time they follow up on their friendship, things tend to heat up (both physically and emotionally), they get carried away, and end up resuming their "romance".
this is represented by the propeller plane taking off unnoticed. this type planes tend to fly short routes (as compared to jet planes) so things are ending soon. As the flight takes its course ambitions are low. she has no clear intentions of pursuing this relationship, but they keep going assuming things are under control (feelings), unaware that suddenly one of them will end...
this is represented by the propeller plane taking off unnoticed. this type planes tend to fly short routes (as compared to jet planes) so things are ending soon. As the flight takes its course ambitions are low. she has no clear intentions of pursuing this relationship, but they keep going assuming things are under control (feelings), unaware that suddenly one of them will end up stirring things, and taking things out control, hence violating their armistice.
Don't know if I'm the only person out there with this particular interpretation, but this is what I got from it - after reading several of the previous comments.
The part I think we can all agree on is the fact that they fight or quarrel, and then find some time for peace at night, i.e. it's a somewhat dysfunctional relationship, but they can't help being attracted to each other, whatever the reason. What intrigued me the most was the reason behind their disagreements, since the song seems to make little to no reference to it.
As someone else pointed out, "Dahlias" represent an infinite bond, this being his inconditional love, in my opinion. This, together with "cherry trees" (romance) in "Dahlias and cherry trees, I don't recall them anyway" gives me the impression that there was never any romance in this infinite commitment between them; furthermore, added with her being no good and the fact that she may be worried he will tell someone about them, adds an element of guilt. This all makes it sound like they have a secret relationship she doesn't want anyone to know about, maybe because she hates him or is supposed to, for an unknown reason. To me, this is confirmed by "some lovers know it ain't going to wear out, to each his own the same", indicating that the nature of their relationship is perhaps a bit unusual or even unconventional. "What else is wasted?" being in reference to romance, which has been wasted as she won't accept it from him. Even the fact that she's "no good" could be an explanation as to why she won't accept his love: perhaps a reputation to maintain. "The semaphore message on your lips" indicates a visual message she's sending to him, rather than verbal, presumably making him know that she wants him, or even loves him, but never saying it out loud.
As for the rest of the song, I don't completely understand what they mean, particularly in the passage...
"It's time to follow, and not to heat it up Requesting this plane is a propeller In the middle of the course when ambitions are low Head on close, hang on before you lose control"
... so if anyone has an interpretation for that I'd be very happy to hear it. The same goes for the line "the octagon logo had to rip it up", as the only thing that came to mind there was maybe a STOP road sign, but only because of the shape and the fact that right after that they speak of "semaphore" aka traffic lights.
Of course all of this could be completely off track, but you can tell something is good art when everyone takes a different thing from it. Interpretations being highly subjective and all, everyone makes of it what they want. So congratulations Phoenix on a great mystery of a song!
it means that he is aware that every time they follow up on their friendship, things tend to heat up (both physically and emotionally), they get carried away, and end up resuming their "romance".
it means that he is aware that every time they follow up on their friendship, things tend to heat up (both physically and emotionally), they get carried away, and end up resuming their "romance".
this is represented by the propeller plane taking off unnoticed. this type planes tend to fly short routes (as compared to jet planes) so things are ending soon. As the flight takes its course ambitions are low. she has no clear intentions of pursuing this relationship, but they keep going assuming things are under control (feelings), unaware that suddenly one of them will end...
this is represented by the propeller plane taking off unnoticed. this type planes tend to fly short routes (as compared to jet planes) so things are ending soon. As the flight takes its course ambitions are low. she has no clear intentions of pursuing this relationship, but they keep going assuming things are under control (feelings), unaware that suddenly one of them will end up stirring things, and taking things out control, hence violating their armistice.