| Red Hot Chili Peppers – Go Robot Lyrics | 7 years ago |
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For me, the song is about changing, growing and settling in general as a person. The equation I use for the song is change = the future = robots. "Robots" in this song represent a better future and positive change. Change is tumultuous, stressful and scary. We become so afraid of change we never really have a clear vision of the future. The protagonist of this song is describing how he eventually found a way to cope with change, and how he came to terms with moving forward. "I don't take these things so personal anymore/I don't think it's irreversible anymore." The protag is obviously coping with a loss or some kind of heartache, and he seems to have some experience with these bad situations. He's realizing he doesn't have to sulk, ruminate or hate himself anymore. He's learning and growing up. "Going robot" means to evolve. To become better. Not growing cold and emotionless, but "upgrading" yourself from your life experiences and becoming a stronger/smarter person and learning to adjust, accept and even manipulate change. "Robots are my next of kin." He is embracing the future, even thanking it for the great things it will bring. Robots represent the future and the good things it can bring. He's happy and ready to accept the future, instead of being terrified of it. |
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| Sufjan Stevens – Decatur, or Round of Applause for Your Stepmother! Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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This is a sweet, simple and beautiful little song about finding the beauty in something damaged and ugly to most. Decatur is an impoverished city with no shortage of troubles, but it's full of wonderful history and culture. Which is why Sufjan uses it as a poetic allegory for his stepmother. It's about appreciating the love of other people, and the love they have for you, and appreciating all they've done for you. A round of applause for Sufjan's stepmother, everyone. |
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| Randy Newman – Naked Man Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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This song is based on a true story. Randy Newman's good friend, a public defender, was representing a man who was arrested for stealing a purse from a woman while naked. His defense made the already strange story even stranger: apparently, he was in the middle of committing adultery when the woman's husband came home, forcing him to jump out of the window naked as the day God made him. Then suddenly, ANOTHER naked man came running by and handed him a purse, leaving him to explain the story to the police. The strange and amusing lyrics with absurd and slightly dark implications ("they found out about my sister/kicked me out of the navy/would've strung me up if they could") reflect the nature and emotion of the story. You've got unreliable narrators, strange events and uncomfortable nudity all mixed together. |
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| The Mountain Goats – Thank You Mario but Our Princess Is in Another Castle Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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I can't help but think of when John Darnielle talked about "Best Ever Metal Band Out of Denton." He said something along the lines of: "A lot of people laugh at this song, but there's nothing funny about being sent to a goddamn hospital and having to explain you're not a terrorist or a serial killer because of the music you listen to." Now certainly there was a comedic hook to the song, it was about a pair of goofballs who wanted to be edgy rock musicians. But when you get into the overall theme and meaning of the song, it gets a lot more serious and you even empathize and root for the characters you were just laughing at. I think in a way, this song is a lot like that. On the surface, it's just a silly song about Mario Brothers from the perspective of a one-note minor character. But really, it goes a bit deeper than that. It's making you feel what the character actually felt. Toad is just a scared, frightened and confused kid who got kidnapped by strange-looking monsters for reasons he never understood, fearing everyday that he might actually die. Finally, he gets rescued, but it's not really even on purpose. Mario didn't even know he was there. He was looking for the princess. What might just be the most important moment in Toad's life right now is just a confusing obstacle for Mario. He basically got rescued on accident. Of course, he's still relieved. You realize maybe that the whole "on accident" part should take a backseat to the "rescued" part. Then you realize it's not about Mario anymore. |
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| The Offspring – Why Don't You Get a Job? Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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What I like about the song is that it covers both genders. At first, I was cynical. "Oh, they're just trying to avoid getting flak for being sexist" but that's not really it. If you're in this same situation with the genders reversed, the last thing you want to hear is about how the boyfriend does all the work and YOU sit on your ass. It's great because everyone, everywhere can relate to it in some way. It's not about boy/girl, it's about the simple human fact that nobody likes being taken advantage of, especially when it's someone you love. |
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| The Mountain Goats – Boxcar (Jawbreaker cover) Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| He actually says "watching cops" in this version. | |
| Sufjan Stevens – Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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An interesting interpretation, but also pretty nuts. Don't get me wrong, sometimes 'ya gotta be a little nuts - but this might be a little too far over the line. |
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