First off, when trying to interpret MGMT’s more abstract songs, one must keep in mind that Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, the duo behind MGMT, are self-professed mystics. Fundamentally, mystics are people who believe that there is a universal truth/spirit of some sort that waits to be discovered through introspection and enlightenment by intelligent beings. A more romantic description would be that mystics strive to be children of the universe, not children of mankind; a concept beautifully illustrated in Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Many religions contain the core concepts of mysticism, as discussed in Aldous Huxley’s book “The Perennial Philosophy”. But anyways, here’s my rather long crack at an interpretation for MGMT’s “Alien Days”:
Before the actual lyrical interpretation, it is noteworthy to point out that a child sings lines in the beginning of the song. MGMT often uses children as symbols in their songs to represent a state of consciousness where reality is perceived through relatively unbiased eyes (read: third eye). Children, due to their relatively short existence and innocence towards reality, do not carry the biases towards it that we adults do. They have a more untarnished view of reality, though not the cognition necessary to understand it. MGMT equates children to the blank slate of mind required to perceive the universal truth.
(Sometimes the windows combine with the seams in a way)
(that twitches on a peak at the place where the spirit was slain)
Windows are open and allow you to see places where a wall does not. Seams hold things together. MGMT is saying the ingredients are sometimes right in people to allow them to gain insight into the universal truth/spirit; the truth/spirit that is the source of all beings’ souls/reality. The peak represents the supremeness and majesty of the universal truth/spirit. The spirit being slain represents the spirit becoming a real life being, going from supreme oneness into a biased, lesser state of being. Basically, MGMT is saying sometimes people gain insight into the spirit they originated from.
(one foot leads to another)
This represents that even though people may gain this kernel of insight into the universal spirit/truth, they have bills to pay, children to raise, parties to go to, etc. Life, through its impetus, deftly whisks us away from the most important of all things, the thing we originated from.
(night's for sleep, blue curtains, covers)
(sequins in the eyes)
(that's a fine time to dine)
(divine who's circling, feeding the cards to the midwives)
Even though life is full of things we deem important and goals we want to accomplish, nighttime is when our opportunity naturally arises to be in the right state of mind necessary to gain some mystical insight. “Sequins in the eyes” represents the colors against the black backdrop one sees when their eyes are closed. Right before you fall asleep is “a fine time to dine,” a time where your mind stops churning out the thoughts of the day, relaxes, becomes empty, and thus becomes receptive to meaningful insight. However, “divine who’s circling, feeding the cards to the midwives” seems to suggest that instead of being receptive towards whatever truth comes their way, people use this nighttime state of consciousness to try to justify their preconceived notions on reality i.e. trying to gain insight towards whatever god they believe in.
(who love those alien days)
(the nonstop alien days)
(mmm the alien days)
Alien days symbolizes a time when a person has a blank slate and/or altered state of consciousness and is thus receptive towards some of the ultimate truth reality has to offer. When in this state, MGMT feels as though they are aliens during these times because they no longer perceive reality in as biased a manner that everyone else does. As mentioned before, MGMT often uses children to symbolize this rather pure perception of reality that is not blemished by preconceived notions. “The midwives who love those alien days” means that as adults we cherish children’s ability to live those alien days, to be able have such a pure, unbiased view of reality. For children, this consciousness is nonstop and ends with the gradual onset of adulthood.
(must've skipped the ship)
(and joined the team for a ride)
(a couple hours to learn the controls)
(and commandeer both my eyes)
“Must’ve skipped the ship” — The ship here represents the true path to enlightenment of love, meditation, ethical conduct, acceptance, etc. “And joined the team for a ride,” — Instead going on the true path toward enlightenment, MGMT instead opted to use drugs with their friends; these lines being from the point of view of themselves already on mushrooms, LSD, or some other perception-shifting hallucinogen. “A couple of hours to learn the controls and commandeer both of my eyes” — MGMT is saying this period of insight is short lived and temporary; that once you trip, you only have a limited time to get in control of it and see what you need to see, and, unlike enlightenment, is essentially a thrill ride that must come to an end.
(be quick dear, times are uncertain)
Buddha once said something to the effect of, “There is only one time when you need to seek enlightenment: that time is now.” One must try to obtain enlightenment as soon as possible, because one never knows when they will no longer have an opportunity to do so.
(one month crawling, next year blurring)
(decades in the drain)
Your life is gradually, then suddenly diminished before your eyes; to steal a parcel from an Ernest Hemingway quote.
(monograms on the brain)
(decide what's working and what's moved on to the last phase)
From Wikipedia: “Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or logos.” Just as monograms are symbols/logos that represent people/companies, MGMT suggests that the religions we follow are nothing more than symbols that we empower. That these symbols we use to understand/justify/cope with reality are introduced from the outside and do not come from within the self.
“Decide what’s working” might be referring to MGMT’s song “It’s Working”, a song that concerns MGMT wondering if the drugs they are taking, and their subsequent state of consciousness, are working; that is to say, are what they are supposed to be doing to achieve insight to the truth. In “It’s Working”, MGMT concludes since drugs influence the physical self (“working in our blood”), they are inferior to gaining true insight through love, which is not a part of the physical self whatsoever, but is “only in your mind and not your heart”, and thus superior.
Therefore, “Decide what’s working and what’s moved onto the last phase” means these symbols (society, parents, philosophers, priests) that introduce concepts to us that explain our reality decide for us if we are walking the correct path. MGMT believes mankind readily accepts these outside influences to answer the big questions concerning existence instead of discovering the way for ourselves; through introspection and self-discovery.
(the floodgate alien days)
(I love those alien days)
(mmm the alien days)
MGMT is saying that using drugs to shift you perception on reality in order to acquire true insight is like a floodgate; a torrent of truth that comes at you all at once. And that they love those alien days, those times when they’re on drugs and learning/experiencing so much.
(when the peels are down it feels like traveling in style)
MGMT is saying that when the normal biases and preconceived notions you carry towards reality are removed through meditation, youth, or drug usage, “it feels like traveling in style”…it feels like life/existence is a comfortable, pleasurable ride.
(you don't need wings to hover forty ton stones for a mile)
“40 ton stones” seems to be a reference to Stonehenge and not needing wings referring to the belief that aliens or divine beings helped build the structure, because man at that time could not possibly do it alone. MGMT appears to be saying that you do not need to be superhuman to achieve enlightenment. It might also be a statement about the power of the mind; that you do not need to believe in a religion to be capable of miracles; the power to do such things resides within you, and is not bestowed or granted by some divine figure.
(and in the summer, virgin visions)
(mindless humming)
MGMT likes to equate the summer/desert with a time of intense mystic/spiritual activity and winter/the artic with self-doubt and fear. “Virgin visions” suggests gaining unique insights for the first time and “mindless humming” being something akin to the “Om” sound.
(numbers can't decide if the day's supposed to smile)
MGMT is saying that reality is not all encompassed by math equations; that there is more to existence than what a computer could eventually replicate. Google cannot come up with an equation that will know if a day will hold a hidden treasure or small wonder.
(today we find infinite ways it could be plenty worse)
(it's a blessing but it's also a curse)
Many religions, our parents, our communities, etc. teach us to be thankful. It is a great concept that teaches us to be humble and appreciate what they have now instead of desiring for more. We need to be thankful because so many people have it worse. MGMT might be suggesting that this thankfulness/contentment also breeds complacency and a fear of becoming those unfortunates we are thankful not to be. Instead of living life freely, we sit snug in our homes, thankful for the peace and fearful of the night.
(those days taught me everything I know)
(how to catch a feeling and when to let it go)
The knowledge gained from those alien days, those times of mind-expanding consciousness, is what seems to be most important to MGMT. The RZA, leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, in his song “A Day to God is 1,000 Years,” states that he is “God in the bodily form, lettin’ my knowledge be born”. His lyric here has the same meaning to MGMT’s: that once you are in a pure state of being, knowledge comes from within you, not from outside of you and is the most meaningful knowledge one can attain.
(how all the scheming, soulless creatures)
(can't find dreamer's honey in the hive)
(if it's right beneath the nose)
Here, MGMT expresses vexation at not only people’s inability to not only understand mystics (dreamers) and the universal truth (honey in the hive) that they value so much, but also if they just gave it a chance, they could see it for themselves.
“Honey in the hive” might also be referring to mankind as a whole; the bees (dreamers/mystics) who leave the hive (society/biased reality) and bring back pollen (universal truth) to sustain the colony (mankind).
(and when the light is new)
(the sky shows trembling cartoons)
“When the light is new” — MGMT is saying that when people are first exposed to the truth (i.e. when someone is tripping for the first time; when someone hears some universal truth from a dreamer for the first time), it appears strange and unsettling (“the sky shows trembling cartoons”). Something that should show immense beauty (the sky and universal truth) is instead perceived negatively by those who are not ready or have too much bias.
(you don't need smoke to cover most of the world in a gloom)
MGMT here is saying since mankind refuses to value universal truth and instead values their own selfish ends and beliefs, that the pollution of the planet is only natural from such beings.
When they refer to not needing wings to hover 40 ton stones, it reminds me of coral castle in Florida. A guy built stonehenge like structures on his property in a span of years by himself with stones weighing in excess of tons. He said it was easy but never revealed his secret and it died with him.
When they refer to not needing wings to hover 40 ton stones, it reminds me of coral castle in Florida. A guy built stonehenge like structures on his property in a span of years by himself with stones weighing in excess of tons. He said it was easy but never revealed his secret and it died with him.
First off, when trying to interpret MGMT’s more abstract songs, one must keep in mind that Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, the duo behind MGMT, are self-professed mystics. Fundamentally, mystics are people who believe that there is a universal truth/spirit of some sort that waits to be discovered through introspection and enlightenment by intelligent beings. A more romantic description would be that mystics strive to be children of the universe, not children of mankind; a concept beautifully illustrated in Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Many religions contain the core concepts of mysticism, as discussed in Aldous Huxley’s book “The Perennial Philosophy”. But anyways, here’s my rather long crack at an interpretation for MGMT’s “Alien Days”:
Before the actual lyrical interpretation, it is noteworthy to point out that a child sings lines in the beginning of the song. MGMT often uses children as symbols in their songs to represent a state of consciousness where reality is perceived through relatively unbiased eyes (read: third eye). Children, due to their relatively short existence and innocence towards reality, do not carry the biases towards it that we adults do. They have a more untarnished view of reality, though not the cognition necessary to understand it. MGMT equates children to the blank slate of mind required to perceive the universal truth.
(Sometimes the windows combine with the seams in a way) (that twitches on a peak at the place where the spirit was slain)
Windows are open and allow you to see places where a wall does not. Seams hold things together. MGMT is saying the ingredients are sometimes right in people to allow them to gain insight into the universal truth/spirit; the truth/spirit that is the source of all beings’ souls/reality. The peak represents the supremeness and majesty of the universal truth/spirit. The spirit being slain represents the spirit becoming a real life being, going from supreme oneness into a biased, lesser state of being. Basically, MGMT is saying sometimes people gain insight into the spirit they originated from.
(one foot leads to another)
This represents that even though people may gain this kernel of insight into the universal spirit/truth, they have bills to pay, children to raise, parties to go to, etc. Life, through its impetus, deftly whisks us away from the most important of all things, the thing we originated from.
(night's for sleep, blue curtains, covers) (sequins in the eyes) (that's a fine time to dine) (divine who's circling, feeding the cards to the midwives)
Even though life is full of things we deem important and goals we want to accomplish, nighttime is when our opportunity naturally arises to be in the right state of mind necessary to gain some mystical insight. “Sequins in the eyes” represents the colors against the black backdrop one sees when their eyes are closed. Right before you fall asleep is “a fine time to dine,” a time where your mind stops churning out the thoughts of the day, relaxes, becomes empty, and thus becomes receptive to meaningful insight. However, “divine who’s circling, feeding the cards to the midwives” seems to suggest that instead of being receptive towards whatever truth comes their way, people use this nighttime state of consciousness to try to justify their preconceived notions on reality i.e. trying to gain insight towards whatever god they believe in.
(who love those alien days) (the nonstop alien days) (mmm the alien days)
Alien days symbolizes a time when a person has a blank slate and/or altered state of consciousness and is thus receptive towards some of the ultimate truth reality has to offer. When in this state, MGMT feels as though they are aliens during these times because they no longer perceive reality in as biased a manner that everyone else does. As mentioned before, MGMT often uses children to symbolize this rather pure perception of reality that is not blemished by preconceived notions. “The midwives who love those alien days” means that as adults we cherish children’s ability to live those alien days, to be able have such a pure, unbiased view of reality. For children, this consciousness is nonstop and ends with the gradual onset of adulthood.
(must've skipped the ship) (and joined the team for a ride) (a couple hours to learn the controls) (and commandeer both my eyes)
“Must’ve skipped the ship” — The ship here represents the true path to enlightenment of love, meditation, ethical conduct, acceptance, etc. “And joined the team for a ride,” — Instead going on the true path toward enlightenment, MGMT instead opted to use drugs with their friends; these lines being from the point of view of themselves already on mushrooms, LSD, or some other perception-shifting hallucinogen. “A couple of hours to learn the controls and commandeer both of my eyes” — MGMT is saying this period of insight is short lived and temporary; that once you trip, you only have a limited time to get in control of it and see what you need to see, and, unlike enlightenment, is essentially a thrill ride that must come to an end.
(be quick dear, times are uncertain)
Buddha once said something to the effect of, “There is only one time when you need to seek enlightenment: that time is now.” One must try to obtain enlightenment as soon as possible, because one never knows when they will no longer have an opportunity to do so.
(one month crawling, next year blurring) (decades in the drain)
Your life is gradually, then suddenly diminished before your eyes; to steal a parcel from an Ernest Hemingway quote.
(monograms on the brain) (decide what's working and what's moved on to the last phase)
From Wikipedia: “Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or logos.” Just as monograms are symbols/logos that represent people/companies, MGMT suggests that the religions we follow are nothing more than symbols that we empower. That these symbols we use to understand/justify/cope with reality are introduced from the outside and do not come from within the self.
“Decide what’s working” might be referring to MGMT’s song “It’s Working”, a song that concerns MGMT wondering if the drugs they are taking, and their subsequent state of consciousness, are working; that is to say, are what they are supposed to be doing to achieve insight to the truth. In “It’s Working”, MGMT concludes since drugs influence the physical self (“working in our blood”), they are inferior to gaining true insight through love, which is not a part of the physical self whatsoever, but is “only in your mind and not your heart”, and thus superior.
Therefore, “Decide what’s working and what’s moved onto the last phase” means these symbols (society, parents, philosophers, priests) that introduce concepts to us that explain our reality decide for us if we are walking the correct path. MGMT believes mankind readily accepts these outside influences to answer the big questions concerning existence instead of discovering the way for ourselves; through introspection and self-discovery.
(the floodgate alien days) (I love those alien days) (mmm the alien days)
MGMT is saying that using drugs to shift you perception on reality in order to acquire true insight is like a floodgate; a torrent of truth that comes at you all at once. And that they love those alien days, those times when they’re on drugs and learning/experiencing so much.
(when the peels are down it feels like traveling in style)
MGMT is saying that when the normal biases and preconceived notions you carry towards reality are removed through meditation, youth, or drug usage, “it feels like traveling in style”…it feels like life/existence is a comfortable, pleasurable ride.
(you don't need wings to hover forty ton stones for a mile)
“40 ton stones” seems to be a reference to Stonehenge and not needing wings referring to the belief that aliens or divine beings helped build the structure, because man at that time could not possibly do it alone. MGMT appears to be saying that you do not need to be superhuman to achieve enlightenment. It might also be a statement about the power of the mind; that you do not need to believe in a religion to be capable of miracles; the power to do such things resides within you, and is not bestowed or granted by some divine figure.
(and in the summer, virgin visions) (mindless humming)
MGMT likes to equate the summer/desert with a time of intense mystic/spiritual activity and winter/the artic with self-doubt and fear. “Virgin visions” suggests gaining unique insights for the first time and “mindless humming” being something akin to the “Om” sound.
(numbers can't decide if the day's supposed to smile)
MGMT is saying that reality is not all encompassed by math equations; that there is more to existence than what a computer could eventually replicate. Google cannot come up with an equation that will know if a day will hold a hidden treasure or small wonder.
(today we find infinite ways it could be plenty worse) (it's a blessing but it's also a curse)
Many religions, our parents, our communities, etc. teach us to be thankful. It is a great concept that teaches us to be humble and appreciate what they have now instead of desiring for more. We need to be thankful because so many people have it worse. MGMT might be suggesting that this thankfulness/contentment also breeds complacency and a fear of becoming those unfortunates we are thankful not to be. Instead of living life freely, we sit snug in our homes, thankful for the peace and fearful of the night.
(those days taught me everything I know) (how to catch a feeling and when to let it go)
The knowledge gained from those alien days, those times of mind-expanding consciousness, is what seems to be most important to MGMT. The RZA, leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, in his song “A Day to God is 1,000 Years,” states that he is “God in the bodily form, lettin’ my knowledge be born”. His lyric here has the same meaning to MGMT’s: that once you are in a pure state of being, knowledge comes from within you, not from outside of you and is the most meaningful knowledge one can attain.
(how all the scheming, soulless creatures) (can't find dreamer's honey in the hive) (if it's right beneath the nose)
Here, MGMT expresses vexation at not only people’s inability to not only understand mystics (dreamers) and the universal truth (honey in the hive) that they value so much, but also if they just gave it a chance, they could see it for themselves.
“Honey in the hive” might also be referring to mankind as a whole; the bees (dreamers/mystics) who leave the hive (society/biased reality) and bring back pollen (universal truth) to sustain the colony (mankind).
(and when the light is new) (the sky shows trembling cartoons)
“When the light is new” — MGMT is saying that when people are first exposed to the truth (i.e. when someone is tripping for the first time; when someone hears some universal truth from a dreamer for the first time), it appears strange and unsettling (“the sky shows trembling cartoons”). Something that should show immense beauty (the sky and universal truth) is instead perceived negatively by those who are not ready or have too much bias.
(you don't need smoke to cover most of the world in a gloom)
MGMT here is saying since mankind refuses to value universal truth and instead values their own selfish ends and beliefs, that the pollution of the planet is only natural from such beings.
If anyone wants to discuss MGMT lyrics, email me at cody@skyjuke.com
If anyone wants to discuss MGMT lyrics, email me at cody@skyjuke.com
When they refer to not needing wings to hover 40 ton stones, it reminds me of coral castle in Florida. A guy built stonehenge like structures on his property in a span of years by himself with stones weighing in excess of tons. He said it was easy but never revealed his secret and it died with him.
When they refer to not needing wings to hover 40 ton stones, it reminds me of coral castle in Florida. A guy built stonehenge like structures on his property in a span of years by himself with stones weighing in excess of tons. He said it was easy but never revealed his secret and it died with him.