In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Broke account so I broke a sweat
I've bought some things that I sort of regret about now
Broke your glasses, but it broke the ice
You said that I was an asshole and I paid the price
Broken hearts want broken necks
I've done some things that I want to forget but I can't
Broke my pace and ran out of time
Sometimes I'm so full of shit that it should be a crime
Broke a promise cause my car broke down
Such a classic excuse it should be bronze by now
Broke up, and I'm relieved somehow
It's the end of the discussions that just go round and round
And round, and round, and round, and round,
And round, and round it shouldn't have been anyway
No way, no way, no way, that's right
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, uh no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, uh no
It was like everything was evidence of broken (time?)
You're living on fancy wine
You'll drink that turpentine
You're starting conversations
You don't even know the topic
I've bought some things that I sort of regret about now
Broke your glasses, but it broke the ice
You said that I was an asshole and I paid the price
Broken hearts want broken necks
I've done some things that I want to forget but I can't
Broke my pace and ran out of time
Sometimes I'm so full of shit that it should be a crime
Broke a promise cause my car broke down
Such a classic excuse it should be bronze by now
Broke up, and I'm relieved somehow
It's the end of the discussions that just go round and round
And round, and round, and round, and round,
And round, and round it shouldn't have been anyway
No way, no way, no way, that's right
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, uh no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, uh no
It was like everything was evidence of broken (time?)
You're living on fancy wine
You'll drink that turpentine
You're starting conversations
You don't even know the topic
Lyrics submitted by PLANES, edited by JiveTurkey45, spikecb
Broke Lyrics as written by Isaac Brock Eric Judy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this song is honestly one of the easiest to understand...wtf people
modest mouse is just amazing
Am I the only one who thinks the idiot kid who was talking about "smoking ice" should be kicked off this site for his crime of stupidity for not knowing that the phrase "broke the ice" means the tension between two people has ended?
Really, I don't think I've ever known anyone more dim.
But as far as the song goes, yes, it's basically amazing and the meaning is pretty obvious and I think it's funny that you folks really need to try and figure it out, as if there were any debate about it.
What I want to know is how you feel about your post over 7 years later... cmon man.
10/10 on the cringe scale.<br /> <br /> Here's to hoping someone posted this when they were 13 and, if reminded of such post, would be considerately embarrassed.
Broke account so I broke a sweat (Overdrawn! Oh no!) I've bought some things that I sort of regret about now (I'm broke now that I went on a spending binge, shit, I 'll have to face the consequences including possibly yet another argument about my "fiscal irresponsibility".) Broke your glasses, but it broke the ice (How we met: I stumble into you, breaking your glasses and giving us something to talk about...) You said that I was an asshole and I'd pay the price (What an auspicious beginning! probably a lot like what you said to me at the end of the relationship, too.) Broken hearts want broken necks (yep, it ended with a fight and threats of violence.) I've done some things that I want to forget but I can't (when someone pushes my buttons, i acted even worse than i really wanted to, and I feel crappy about it and wonder who am I that could have done that???) Broke my pace and ran out of time (When running the distance on foot or in a relationship, you have to pace yourself or you will either burn all your energy or else go too slow and run out of time...i wanted to stay focused, but got distracted by all the fighting.) Sometimes I'm so full of shit that it should be a crime (Again, when buttons are pushed, I resort to childish shitstorming that I don't even respect in myself, dammit! and i see how i contribute to the constant bickering, yet cant seem to stop myself.) Broke a promise because my car broke down (and made me miss our date...further pissing you off with even more of my "irresponsibility" in your eyes.) Such a classic excuse, it should be bronzed by now (I hate it when the truth sounds so lame that I can't even believe I'm using it as an excuse! it should be bronzed like my baby shoes over there on the mantel, it's a friggin' relic!) Broke up, and I'm relieved somehow It's the end of the discussions that just go round and round (It was a crappy relationship where all we did was argue the same dull points endlessly...I'm glad to be freed to move forward now that I smashed the relationship. Someone had to put it out of our misery!) And round, and round, and round, and round And round, and round, it shouldn't have been anyway (It started poorly with you calling me an asshole, and now that's played out to its logical conclusion: a break up.) No way, no way, that's right, that's right (give up, I'm right about this, we were never meant to be.) Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, uh no, no Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, uh no, no It was like everything was evidence of broken time (Broken time, like a broken record, repeating and repeating, not ticking ahead into the future. I should have seen this coming. Why did I waste all that time with you???) You're living on fancy wine (You can't survive much less think clearly when you fill yourself with show-offy intoxicants. You're not fooling me.) You'll drink that turpentine (You'll hold your nose and swallow horrible tasting bullshit, that's how much in denial you are!) You're starting conversations You don't even know the topic (this is how those round and round arguments start, with you spouting nonsense! Good riddance!)
I agree with an earlier poster, this song is as much about the wordplay of all the means and ways a person can be broke, broken, broken up, or capable of breaking down other people.
this song is about, trying to empress a person you like, but you know how they really are . and that is fake from the inside/out. and you can't help but fall for there tricks and lies.
This is exactly right, i just realized what this song truly meant when i went through/am going through it right now!
This song is the musical and lyrical thesis of Modest Mouse's early career. The pretty guitar, the wordless shouts, the soft-loud dynamics, the car references, the redneck metaphors, the disappointing people, the self-defecation, but mostly, the feeling that you're listening to something that's timeless.
If MM have a "Last Waltz"... this should be the final number. This or Trailer Trash. Or Cowboy Dan. Not Float On...
im pretty sure that line that no one can figure out is "it feels like everything, like everythings been broken so.."
like everythings broken so why should i expect things to be otherwise
@yocom25 thank nyou!
my favorite line of this song is "broken hearts want broken necks." so true but stupid
Cool song! The line
"You're starting conversations You don't even know the topic"
reminds me of the lyric from Talking Heads "Psycho Killer"
"You start a conversation you can't even finish it."
I’m stunned at the genius lyrics... The song speaks for itself. It's like an intricate piece of art. Mouse kicks so much ass. I get to see them in concert in a few weeks.