"trouble raised its ugly head" - pattern of relapses, particularly after taxing events (e.g. touring)
"I'm a cuckoo" - sufferers are widely stigmatized as having psychiatric problems although there is a vast body of evidence of severe biological abnormalities is many different systems.
The relationship issues described are also common to sufferers - on the one hand treasuring rare moments of precious company with loved ones ("I'm glad that you are waiting with me) ans living vicariously through them to some extent ("tell me about your day").
On the other hand the personal sadness of the toil illness takes on relationships is also evident, mourning the loss of time spent together ("I counted on your company"), envy at what friends can do but he cannot ("Now I know this hurt is poison Too sharp to be bled"), the guilt of feeling that he is a burden on others ("But really I should stay away") and the feeling of being let down by people who he helped in their time of need but have now abandoned him (final verse).
Murdoch suffered from this illness for 7 years before forming the band (according to Wikipedia). I remember hearing this for the first time in abridged form when it came out, when I was 18 and healthy. I heard the full version for the first time today, having suffered for ME/CFS for the last 11 years. Knowing Murdoch's history from this interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMcZ-UTlRmU, I instantly recognized the signs and symptoms he was describing.
It's funny how the most telling lines were cut from the radio version - the song never made sense without it.
This song is clearly, in part, about lead singer Stuart Murdoch's battle with the chronic, incurable illness ME/CFS.
Some clues related to this horrible illness' symptoms:
"funny dream" - sufferers report vivid dreams
"not thinking right today" - cognitive problems, which patients call "brain fog"
"I've got no energy" - the most well-known symptom: severe fatigue after minimal exertion.
"fever grows it's pounding pounding" - recurring flu-like symptoms
"trouble raised its ugly head" - pattern of relapses, particularly after taxing events (e.g. touring)
"I'm a cuckoo" - sufferers are widely stigmatized as having psychiatric problems although there is a vast body of evidence of severe biological abnormalities is many different systems.
The relationship issues described are also common to sufferers - on the one hand treasuring rare moments of precious company with loved ones ("I'm glad that you are waiting with me) ans living vicariously through them to some extent ("tell me about your day").
On the other hand the personal sadness of the toil illness takes on relationships is also evident, mourning the loss of time spent together ("I counted on your company"), envy at what friends can do but he cannot ("Now I know this hurt is poison Too sharp to be bled"), the guilt of feeling that he is a burden on others ("But really I should stay away") and the feeling of being let down by people who he helped in their time of need but have now abandoned him (final verse).
Murdoch suffered from this illness for 7 years before forming the band (according to Wikipedia). I remember hearing this for the first time in abridged form when it came out, when I was 18 and healthy. I heard the full version for the first time today, having suffered for ME/CFS for the last 11 years. Knowing Murdoch's history from this interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMcZ-UTlRmU, I instantly recognized the signs and symptoms he was describing.
It's funny how the most telling lines were cut from the radio version - the song never made sense without it.
@lgk23 100% this is about his ME and fallout. I’m 4 years in. It destroys lives.
@lgk23 100% this is about his ME and fallout. I’m 4 years in. It destroys lives.