I think this song is about... Guided by Voices. And the vicissitudes of fame.
Guided by Voices became very hip after their breakthrough album, Bee Thousand -- a "hipster shibboleth," to borrow a phrase from Michael Azerrad. In this song, Pollard seems to lament his lack of foresight: he'd thought that he wanted to be a rock star, but he's quickly realizing that, even at his relatively modest level of success, the position requires significant lifestyle compromises ("See the truth... is just a lie").
He gives a few examples of these compromises up front. He has to deal with way more people now, which can be draining on a number of levels ("I can't socialize, I'll be institutionalized"). He also seems to feel that he has to put on a brash, confident face that doesn't fit his personality at all ("I can't terrorize, I see terror in your eyes"). In a tired monotone, he delivers a probably-futile-but-undoubtedly-cathartic plea: "Leave my fucking life alone."
I think this song is about... Guided by Voices. And the vicissitudes of fame.
Guided by Voices became very hip after their breakthrough album, Bee Thousand -- a "hipster shibboleth," to borrow a phrase from Michael Azerrad. In this song, Pollard seems to lament his lack of foresight: he'd thought that he wanted to be a rock star, but he's quickly realizing that, even at his relatively modest level of success, the position requires significant lifestyle compromises ("See the truth... is just a lie").
He gives a few examples of these compromises up front. He has to deal with way more people now, which can be draining on a number of levels ("I can't socialize, I'll be institutionalized"). He also seems to feel that he has to put on a brash, confident face that doesn't fit his personality at all ("I can't terrorize, I see terror in your eyes"). In a tired monotone, he delivers a probably-futile-but-undoubtedly-cathartic plea: "Leave my fucking life alone."
Amazing song.