every time I hear this song I can only hear Uncertain Smile, by TheThe. The baseline, the key changes, the phrase structure is all the same. I can't help but think one band copied the other, though I have no idea which song was recorded first.
every time I hear this song I can only hear Uncertain Smile, by TheThe. The baseline, the key changes, the phrase structure is all the same. I can't help but think one band copied the other, though I have no idea which song was recorded first.
I adore this song. When my family and I were renovating an 150 year old house before moving into it, I used to go over in the evenings and paint, and listen to this song over and over. The house we were redoing started its life as a hotel, and I imagined all the kids and teenagers who must've passed through the house in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and how their daydreams and reveries must have been similar to these lyrics.
I adore this song. When my family and I were renovating an 150 year old house before moving into it, I used to go over in the evenings and paint, and listen to this song over and over. The house we were redoing started its life as a hotel, and I imagined all the kids and teenagers who must've passed through the house in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and how their daydreams and reveries must have been similar to these lyrics.
I've always interpreted this song as being about a middle-aged guy getting a bit too far into survivalist YouTube culture as a means to fill some void in his life.
I've always interpreted this song as being about a middle-aged guy getting a bit too far into survivalist YouTube culture as a means to fill some void in his life.
John Darnielle said he was inspired to write this tune when a completely exhausted Peter Hughes had something of a mild emotional breakdown while watching fish in an aquarium while on tour in Australia. I always envision that when I hear it.
John Darnielle said he was inspired to write this tune when a completely exhausted Peter Hughes had something of a mild emotional breakdown while watching fish in an aquarium while on tour in Australia. I always envision that when I hear it.
Fun fact: The vocalist on this song is Lene Lovich!
Fun fact: The vocalist on this song is Lene Lovich!
This song is about tulip mania, a period in Dutch history during the 17th century, when tulips became a must-have commodity and skyrocketed in price. Basically, tulip mania was the first economic asset bubble.
This song is about tulip mania, a period in Dutch history during the 17th century, when tulips became a must-have commodity and skyrocketed in price. Basically, tulip mania was the first economic asset bubble.
Also noticed that the phrase "buy or die" is in the lyrics, which may be a nod to the mail-order catalogue Ralph Records (The Residents' original record label) ran.
Also noticed that the phrase "buy or die" is in the lyrics, which may be a nod to the mail-order catalogue Ralph Records (The Residents' original record label) ran.
I interpret the lyrics as possibly being about unrequited love. The "infant tango" is possibly a reference to courtship (the "tango" you do before you settle down with someone), and I read the line "all that infant tango is a dance for you" as being the singer saying that he's done so much for his lover. The lover watches and sees the singer's infant tango, but does not put forth the effort to requit his advances.
I interpret the lyrics as possibly being about unrequited love. The "infant tango" is possibly a reference to courtship (the "tango" you do before you settle down with someone), and I read the line "all that infant tango is a dance for you" as being the singer saying that he's done so much for his lover. The lover watches and sees the singer's infant tango, but does not put forth the effort to requit his advances.
Side note: Absolutely love this song, it's like listening to funk music from the nine circles of Hell...
Side note: Absolutely love this song, it's like listening to funk music from the nine circles of Hell (in a good way).
To me, this song is about forgetting the hard things about life (work, bills, political drama) and embracing a softer, more simple lifestyle with your person. It's an invitation asking, "Will you drop your unnecessary worries and just come exist in this protective bubble with me? We can just be together and forget all the drama around us."
To me, this song is about forgetting the hard things about life (work, bills, political drama) and embracing a softer, more simple lifestyle with your person. It's an invitation asking, "Will you drop your unnecessary worries and just come exist in this protective bubble with me? We can just be together and forget all the drama around us."
A-ha have been my favourite band since 1986, every song of theirs (except the early Mags-written efforts!) I have loved but I have cherished this song above all others. I just happened to be listening to it on my Walkman on my way home from work in July 1988. We had just moved as a family to our long-term (to be 45 years) home and the lyrics just chimed with the sense of being proud to have parents who only ever wanted the best for us, they were so selfless. Now, as I still mourn their passing, this song seems...
A-ha have been my favourite band since 1986, every song of theirs (except the early Mags-written efforts!) I have loved but I have cherished this song above all others. I just happened to be listening to it on my Walkman on my way home from work in July 1988. We had just moved as a family to our long-term (to be 45 years) home and the lyrics just chimed with the sense of being proud to have parents who only ever wanted the best for us, they were so selfless. Now, as I still mourn their passing, this song seems even more apt. At the time, it didn't seem to be about loss but just the impetus that parental love and encouragement provides. Today, for me, that same song is about loss but also that same pride and sense of fortune at being "born into such hands". I am grateful to my parents and for this song. It makes this more than just a memory...