Thank You Mario but Our Princess Is in Another Castle

The Mountain Goats

I waited here all by myself
The room was dark and it smelled like sulfur
I heard the screams from way down in the darkness
Felt pretty sure my life was over

I kept my hat on just for luck
Sang simple tunes the whole night through
I wondered if I'd wake to find myself in flames
As I waited here for you

Yeah when you came in
I could breathe again

I saw some guys dressed up like sorcerers
Blue robes that flowed above the ground
They came and went and I was frightened for my life
I tried not to make a sound

Just when my solitude was closing in
I heard a howl like screeching tires
And I told you the one thing I know how to say
Through the bright ringing drone of eight-bit choirs

Yeah when you came in
I could breathe again


Lyrics submitted by sgtpep86, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Thank You Mario but Our Princess Is in Another Castle song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +3
    General CommentI almost wonder if this has more meaning than simply a song from Toad's point of view; John was raised in a house with an abusive stepfather, and I wonder if it could be about young John stoically and quietly playing Super Mario Bros in his room as he heard his mother being yelled at or possibly even beaten, and he wonders if the night has finally come that the stepfather will kill her or come in and kill him too. "When you came in / I could breathe again." is the alleviation of that fear.
    Anilandon July 26, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Commentisn't the third last line: "through the bright ringing drone of eight-bit choirs"? because "Thank You Mario But Our Princess Is In Another Castle" is a quote from NES game Super Mario Bros and the NES was an 8-bit system.
    Zopilote Steelon September 06, 2008   Link
  • +1
    My InterpretationI 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.
    SnoopEaston March 31, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General CommentZopilote Steel is right.
    mdon06on September 06, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentAs John said: "On this one, I played piano and sang; Kaki played drums and glockenspiel, and also sang harmony. The song is sung from the point of view of Toad. If you know who Toad is, that's all I'll need to tell you. If you don't who Toad is, you better recognize.""
    dirkman42on October 02, 2008   Link
  • 0
    My OpinionYYY BEST SONGZ EVER!!1!
    churchgonewildon August 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think it's basically about a hostage situation, but viewed through the lens of SMB 1.
    pumkinhedon September 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationIf you think about it from the point of view of Toad; you're a hostage in a bare room, surrounded and oppressed by terrible sights and sounds, left to bemusedly contemplate whether you will be saved or killed. Your captors wander in and out and you never know if this will be the end or not every time. Suddenly you are rescued and the claustrophobic sensation you felt would go on forever evaporates in an instant, and you find yourself joking, " ... but our princess is in another castle."
    dioxinon October 10, 2012   Link
  • -2
    General CommentI came.
    gopherfuzzon August 30, 2011   Link

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