I know it's supposed to be an ode to Chicago, but pete's whole bipolar thing is woven into it so beautifully too, imo. Here's why I think so:
“Forever a lake effect kid”
The lake effect is a weather phenomenon which causes the weather to be super changeable. (They have the lake effect in Chicago, because it's near Lake Michigan.)
Being bipolar also makes you changeable, having mood swings ("unpredictable as weather"), and it's chronic, so ‘forever’.
“Sometimes when I'm in heaven, I get forgetful of the Earth.”
When you're manic, you're not grounded, you forget about things that would normally get in the way of your big plans, like money or boundaries.
And idk but when you're depressed you sort of forget that happiness is even an option, so maybe if you're manic you forget that being down is an option (forgetful of the earth)?
“I got a pocket full of deadliness”
I see this as Pete having to carry around his bipolar pills everywhere. In the past, he tried to overdose on these, so they're a pocket full of deadliness. It's like me and insulin: it can kill people , but I carry it around all the time.
(I know pete doesn't take pills anymore, but he used to, and this song is pretty old.)
“At the dead-end called unsteadiness.”
I like this phrase. Feeling unsteady (like I imagine being bipolar does to you) makes him feel trapped or like it gives him no prospects.
“Boomerang my head”
Just this way to say it makes it sound like a reference to having mental ups and downs. If it was only about going back to Chicago then why boomerang just your head? Why not your body and suitcases or whatever too lol (yeah yeah, they probably mean they're dreaming about being in chicago, but it's open for interpretation)
“I just wanna come back to life / spark my crazy head to keep you warm at night.”
Sounds as if he's feeling depressed or numb (from meds or from life) and thinking he'd prefer to be manic again.
That's just my take on the song. I love their poetic songwriting <3
I know it's supposed to be an ode to Chicago, but pete's whole bipolar thing is woven into it so beautifully too, imo. Here's why I think so:
“Forever a lake effect kid” The lake effect is a weather phenomenon which causes the weather to be super changeable. (They have the lake effect in Chicago, because it's near Lake Michigan.) Being bipolar also makes you changeable, having mood swings ("unpredictable as weather"), and it's chronic, so ‘forever’.
“Sometimes when I'm in heaven, I get forgetful of the Earth.” When you're manic, you're not grounded, you forget about things that would normally get in the way of your big plans, like money or boundaries. And idk but when you're depressed you sort of forget that happiness is even an option, so maybe if you're manic you forget that being down is an option (forgetful of the earth)?
“I got a pocket full of deadliness” I see this as Pete having to carry around his bipolar pills everywhere. In the past, he tried to overdose on these, so they're a pocket full of deadliness. It's like me and insulin: it can kill people , but I carry it around all the time. (I know pete doesn't take pills anymore, but he used to, and this song is pretty old.)
“At the dead-end called unsteadiness.” I like this phrase. Feeling unsteady (like I imagine being bipolar does to you) makes him feel trapped or like it gives him no prospects.
“Boomerang my head” Just this way to say it makes it sound like a reference to having mental ups and downs. If it was only about going back to Chicago then why boomerang just your head? Why not your body and suitcases or whatever too lol (yeah yeah, they probably mean they're dreaming about being in chicago, but it's open for interpretation)
“I just wanna come back to life / spark my crazy head to keep you warm at night.” Sounds as if he's feeling depressed or numb (from meds or from life) and thinking he'd prefer to be manic again.
That's just my take on the song. I love their poetic songwriting <3