| The Lumineers – Gun Song Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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Following Yokinazu's comment about the song's inspiration, Wes has said finding a pistol in his dad's sock drawer got him thinking about all the things he never knew about his late father who passed away shortly before. I don't think Wes realized how far his father was willing to go to protect his family since we was so surprised to find a gun in the house. This theme of protection runs through each verse of the song. Finding his dad's gun got Wes thinking about himself and his capacity to protect or stand up for his beliefs, his sweetheart, or his family. Unlike his father, he says he doesn't own a single gun, meaning he's worried he doesn't have the courage to throw a punch or get in the face of all the bad men trying to hurt those he loves. The funny thing is, he doesn't even have a sweetheart to protect. That doesn't stop this young man from worrying about his own capacity to protect or please. It's an anxiety over something that hasn't even happened yet. When he finds his dad's gun, he begins to reflect on his younger self. Some things he knew were true, some wrong. It's almost like Wes is looking back and asking, why did I spend so much time worrying about finding love? Why was I so worried about protecting a love I didn't have? My father had a family and had a gun to protect them. He was thinking about the right things, but spent too much time worrying instead of taking action. That's what he means when he says he prays to be more than his father's son; to go from the one his father protects to protecting those he loves. |
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| The National – Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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What I haven't seen yet is the idea that Berninger is speaking directly to and about the band's fans in this song. The National's music has always been said to be emotionally sad and dark, and I would agree that on the surface it does seem that way. A lot of their lyrics are extremely introspective and infused with issues like regret, stress, and loss. But if you take your time with songs like Slow Show, Sorrow, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Graceless, etc. they start to grow on you in a different way. You start to hear a delicate balance between the issues these songs explore and an optimism that transforms each song into a stressful internal battle. The world isn't always perfect and there are certain realities that are hard to swallow and questions that are hard to ask. But why must we avoid them? As a fan of this band I find comfort in its unusual optimism. I think Berninger may have sensed that his fans dwell too much on the negatives and have developed a cynical view of the world. This song is meant as a plea to share Berninger's odd perspective; to always find the silver lining. When you focus too much on the negatives, you might end up putting your life on hold and eventually realize that you've lost your way. The first verse is Berninger asking his fans to break out of that trap. Even if it means taking drastic measures like moving somewhere else as someone else. If you're unhappy, then make a change. Once you make that change, now carefully consider what makes you happy. Don't be concerned with anything or anyone else around you. Figure out what type of cake you like best and eat it all. The Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks are, of course, us fans. perfectlyadapable's comment on the meaning behind the word Vanderlyle fits with this idea because of its original inspiration: Nirvana's Pennyroyal tea. Both words imply a sort of fancy pretentiousness. In my experience those who have cynical perspectives tend to focus on the negatives and label other opinions as inferior (like a non-believing atheist vs. a religious person). We cry over reality and spin any truth to confirm our sadness. Quite literally, the waters are rising because climate change is rapidly melting giant glaciers. Berninger knows that this information is exactly the kind of negative truth that his fans might be focusing on. There is no surprising his fans because no matter what he says, they'll find the negatives and cry about it. Berninger tells his fans that he used to be like this. But now, all has been forgiven. He was able to get over his sadness and perhaps forgave himself for whatever made him unhappy. He is now able to see the swan swimming, an elegant symbol of balance and harmony. The swan represents an awareness of our deeper feelings and an acceptance of love and happiness (as their relationships are known to last a lifetime). Now, he explains this to us, the geeks. We always have a choice. Whether we choose to wallow in self-pity or joyfully swing from chandeliers, the reality of the world remains the same. Whatever we find difficult to deal with, or hard to accept or question, we might as well try our best to overcome that difficulty and find the right balance of optimism. Berninger assures the cynic that they won't be selling out or conforming to false happiness, because even the best of us try to do so. Despite the scary and difficult realities we face, whether worldly or personal, we must string ourselves up like puppets and carefully keep our thoughts and emotions under control with the elegant and naturally human propensity for love. |
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| Hozier – Work Song Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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This song is first and foremost a declaration of how a girl saved him from himself. No matter his past or the state she found him in, none of it was ever important to her. She only cared about helping him out of the drunken sin that almost killed him. Hozier's lyrics are almost always infused with religious reference, and when he thinks of the love he shares with this girl, concepts like heaven and hell lose their meaning. Life, death, and the prospect of an afterlife all pale in comparison to his new saviour. These thoughts are what keep him standing while he labours under the burning heat. Doing hard labour for little pay is stressful, especially in the face of debt or having to provide for another. No matter hard he works, he is reminded that as long as he has his girl, he can continue to work hard because she's at home waiting for him. It's also a reminder to continue working at bettering himself for her; to not regress back into the lazy, drunken state she found him in. And even when the hard work of life eventually gets the better of his physical body, that still is not enough to keep her out of his heart and mind. Even death cannot keep them apart. |
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| Hozier – Work Song Lyrics | 9 years ago |
| I totally agree about him working for his girl, whether literally labouring to put food on the table or working to better himself. | |
| Modest Mouse – Little Motel Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| Beautiful. Couldn't agree more! | |
| The Lumineers – Slow It Down Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| I think no matter what the details are (we seem to disagree on a few things) the essence of the song is obvious. Two people wanting different things: one wants to be in the spotlight, the other doesn't and is frustrated and confused. | |
| The Lumineers – Slow It Down Lyrics | 11 years ago |
| Credit goes to the band. Very powerful song! | |
| The Lumineers – Slow It Down Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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This song is so powerful. Aptly named, it's the slowest song on the album and I hope it doesn't go overlooked because it is certainly one of the best. The first verse is about having a hard time letting his girl go despite the fact that she may have done something horrible to him in some way. He wants to be rid of her, the memory of her. He wants to wash his hands of her and be free. But it's just not that easy; the walls are closing in on him. But the curtains are closing and the show is over for good. The second verse is describing two different kinds of love and the struggle faced when two people want two different things. Some love was made for the lights, a grand romance that everyone should see and admire, and I think that's what his girl wants. But some love kisses your cheek goodnight, it's not interested in being in the spotlight. He wants to be private, his girl in his arms, completely happy with each other just lying in bed together. He's telling his girl to lift up her red high heel, to lock up her doors with steel. If she wants to live her life in the spotlights, getting all the attention, going out to clubs and bars, then do it. The third verse is terribly sad. This girl was everything to him. She was his life. Now that she's gone, he feel like he's not living life any more. He's just sitting at home, blinds drawn, listening to the sounds of the world, not being a part of it. And he's so frustrated with it that he smashed in his car window. Maybe he was even so upset that he ended up driving drunk and crashing. But he never touched the stereo (I'm not quite sure what this means -- maybe they had a stereo that meant something to them, and he makes sure she knows he smashed his car window before smashing their stereo). The fourth verse is talking about how he thinks she's going to live without him. 'Act like you've been here before; Smile less and dress up some more.' He thinks that she's going to continue living as if she hadn't lost the best love of her life, because he certainly did. She's just going to keep dressing up in her high heels and scarves, going out and getting drunk, pretending to smile and have fun, but really is going to smile less and is trying to distract herself from the memory. But he warns her, if this is what she's going to do, tie that scarf up real tight and protect yourself. These boys are out for blood tonight. Wow. At this point I think the chorus makes a little more sense. He's telling her to slow it down and come back to bed. He wants her to stop all of this nonsense because to him, their love is the most important thing. He seems to be confused and frustrated as to why she wants anything other than their love. He wishes that she could want what he wants, just being happy with each other, lying in bed, resting their arms and legs, without all of the lights, high heels, and boys who are only interested in having sex with her. Insecurity might also be part of it. It seems like he believes this girl is extremely attractive, and that other boys do as well and only seek to use the girl he loves. The last parts of this song take a different turn and are absolutely phenomenal. In the fifth verse, he praises his girl. She stands tall with confidence (again, she must be attractive). She's got the beauty, and the brains to go with it (she'll make a fool of you all). He then goes on to say, don't bother asking her for cigarettes, she ain't got nothing left for you. I think this girl used to be a smoker, her only flaw in his eyes, and he was the one that made her quit. The sixth verse is my personal favourite. It's simple but so real and powerful. He first says that once they broke up, neither of them looked back at all. That wasn't what they were good at. To me, that line means that they never dwelled on the past. Maybe their pasts before they met each other, or maybe past fights that they've had. Either way, they had an amazing relationship where they knew each other well and never let anything ruin that, especially something as insignificant as the past. Unfortunately though, with the most powerful line in the song, he says 'And when it came to love; We were not good enough.' For reasons not revealed in this song, they just couldn't make it work. They really loved each other but sometimes that just isn't enough. As much as he loved her, as much as he thought of her, he understands that the two of them weren't good enough to keep their love going. One last time, he tells to slow it down. Live her live as she wants, but please just slow it down. He doesn't want anything to happen to her while she lives her craze-filled life. At the same time, don't frown when you think of me, because I know it'll make you sad sometimes. That feeling is the feeling of lost love. You may not know it now, but you will. But don't frown, because there is a way to fix it. Only love can dig you out of this. |
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| Dragonette – Let It Go Lyrics | 12 years ago |
| This song is simply about letting go of thing that don't matter relative to the scope of the universe. She's able to say don't sweat the small stuff here on earth (like not having clothes or your phone dying) when you look up at the night sky and realize how small these problems are. | |
| The XX – Heart Skipped a Beat Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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Welcome, they said welcome to the floor. Does anyone know what this is supposed to mean? |
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