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Recycled Air Lyrics
I take a breath
And pull the air in until there's nothing left I'm feeling green Like teenage lovers between the sheets Ba ba ba ba . . . Knuckles clenched to white As the landing gear retract for flight My head's a balloon Inflating with the altitude Ba ba ba ba . . . I watch the patchwork farms Slow fade into the ocean's arms And from here they can't see me stare The stale taste of recycled air I watch the patchwork farms Slow fade into the ocean's arms Calm down, release your cares The stale taste of recycled air
Interaction
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06-23-2003
09-07-2009
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
I think whatever it is, he's doing something he isn't necessarily proud of. The way he sings "ba ba ba ba" it just sounds like he's just kinda going with it. Like he's cautious, but still moving. In most of his songs the "ba ba" s are different. I think that since a lady sings with him ( I know jenny did in a version I heard, but I'm not sure about the official version), it probably means it's about a relation ship. Think of other songs sang with women: the district sleeps alone, nothing better, etc. They're all about a relationship he's had. There are exeptions of course but that's generally true. Since she just repeats what he says and doesn't have her own lyrics, I'm thinking she doesn't have a lot of argument or say at all in this. She has mutual feelings. I think that's an important part ofit.
Now for a total off the wall idea of mine that's not true I'm sure and everyones going to attack:
Okay, so if green means envy or that he's turned on, I still don't understand the "from here they can't see me stare part" unless I think he's watching people have sex. I know, crazy. I was thinking he's probably masturbating or something if you compare it to some parts. I feel the knuckles clenched part supports that and so does the inflation part. He's high because he's getting off to other people having sex. He's jealous though that it can't be him with someone else. And recycled air could just be him breathing really hard because of what he's doing.
I know you're thinking I'm a pervert now, haha but it makes sense. Especially since none of the other ideas talk about the line "from here they can't see me stare"
I totally agree, because ben is singing this though, that it's about virginity loss or sex with someone else though. This is, after all, for free thought so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
09-07-2009
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
I think whatever it is, he's doing something he isn't necessarily proud of. The way he sings "ba ba ba ba" it just sounds like he's just kinda going with it. Like he's cautious, but still moving. In most of his songs the "ba ba" s are different. I think that since a lady sings with him ( I know jenny did in a version I heard, but I'm not sure about the official version), it probably means it's about a relation ship. Think of other songs sang with women: the district sleeps alone, nothing better, etc. They're all about a relationship he's had. There are exeptions of course but that's generally true. Since she just repeats what he says and doesn't have her own lyrics, I'm thinking she doesn't have a lot of argument or say at all in this. She has mutual feelings. I think that's an important part ofit.
Now for a total off the wall idea of mine that's not true I'm sure and everyones going to attack:
Okay, so if green means envy or that he's turned on, I still don't understand the "from here they can't see me stare part" unless I think he's watching people have sex. I know, crazy. I was thinking he's probably masturbating or something if you compare it to some parts. I feel the knuckles clenched part supports that and so does the inflation part. He's high because he's getting off to other people having sex. He's jealous though that it can't be him with someone else. And recycled air could just be him breathing really hard because of what he's doing.
I know you're thinking I'm a pervert now, haha but it makes sense. Especially since none of the other ideas talk about the line "from here they can't see me stare"
I totally agree, because ben is singing this though, that it's about virginity loss or sex with someone else though. This is, after all, for free thought so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
09-07-2009
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
I think whatever it is, he's doing something he isn't necessarily proud of. The way he sings "ba ba ba ba" it just sounds like he's just kinda going with it. Like he's cautious, but still moving. In most of his songs the "ba ba" s are different. I think that since a lady sings with him ( I know jenny did in a version I heard, but I'm not sure about the official version), it probably means it's about a relation ship. Think of other songs sang with women: the district sleeps alone, nothing better, etc. They're all about a relationship he's had. There are exeptions of course but that's generally true. Since she just repeats what he says and doesn't have her own lyrics, I'm thinking she doesn't have a lot of argument or say at all in this. She has mutual feelings. I think that's an important part ofit.
Now for a total off the wall idea of mine that's not true I'm sure and everyones going to attack:
Okay, so if green means envy or that he's turned on, I still don't understand the "from here they can't see me stare part" unless I think he's watching people have sex. I know, crazy. I was thinking he's probably masturbating or something if you compare it to some parts. I feel the knuckles clenched part supports that and so does the inflation part. He's high because he's getting off to other people having sex. He's jealous though that it can't be him with someone else. And recycled air could just be him breathing really hard because of what he's doing.
I know you're thinking I'm a pervert now, haha but it makes sense. Especially since none of the other ideas talk about the line "from here they can't see me stare"
I totally agree, because ben is singing this though, that it's about virginity loss or sex with someone else though. This is, after all, for free thought so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
09-07-2009
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
I think whatever it is, he's doing something he isn't necessarily proud of. The way he sings "ba ba ba ba" it just sounds like he's just kinda going with it. Like he's cautious, but still moving. In most of his songs the "ba ba" s are different. I think that since a lady sings with him ( I know jenny did in a version I heard, but I'm not sure about the official version), it probably means it's about a relation ship. Think of other songs sang with women: the district sleeps alone, nothing better, etc. They're all about a relationship he's had. There are exeptions of course but that's generally true. Since she just repeats what he says and doesn't have her own lyrics, I'm thinking she doesn't have a lot of argument or say at all in this. She has mutual feelings. I think that's an important part ofit.
Now for a total off the wall idea of mine that's not true I'm sure and everyones going to attack:
Okay, so if green means envy or that he's turned on, I still don't understand the "from here they can't see me stare part" unless I think he's watching people have sex. I know, crazy. I was thinking he's probably masturbating or something if you compare it to some parts. I feel the knuckles clenched part supports that and so does the inflation part. He's high because he's getting off to other people having sex. He's jealous though that it can't be him with someone else. And recycled air could just be him breathing really hard because of what he's doing.
I know you're thinking I'm a pervert now, haha but it makes sense. Especially since none of the other ideas talk about the line "from here they can't see me stare"
I totally agree, because ben is singing this though, that it's about virginity loss or sex with someone else though. This is, after all, for free thought so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
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06-26-2003
09-07-2009
However, the idea of marijuana struck me too. That fits perfectly, although I don't see Ben writing about that, haha.
I think whatever it is, he's doing something he isn't necessarily proud of. The way he sings "ba ba ba ba" it just sounds like he's just kinda going with it. Like he's cautious, but still moving. In most of his songs the "ba ba" s are different. I think that since a lady sings with him ( I know jenny did in a version I heard, but I'm not sure about the official version), it probably means it's about a relation ship. Think of other songs sang with women: the district sleeps alone, nothing better, etc. They're all about a relationship he's had. There are exeptions of course but that's generally true. Since she just repeats what he says and doesn't have her own lyrics, I'm thinking she doesn't have a lot of argument or say at all in this. She has mutual feelings. I think that's an important part ofit.
Now for a total off the wall idea of mine that's not true I'm sure and everyones going to attack:
Okay, so if green means envy or that he's turned on, I still don't understand the "from here they can't see me stare part" unless I think he's watching people have sex. I know, crazy. I was thinking he's probably masturbating or something if you compare it to some parts. I feel the knuckles clenched part supports that and so does the inflation part. He's high because he's getting off to other people having sex. He's jealous though that it can't be him with someone else. And recycled air could just be him breathing really hard because of what he's doing.
I know you're thinking I'm a pervert now, haha but it makes sense. Especially since none of the other ideas talk about the line "from here they can't see me stare"
I totally agree, because ben is singing this though, that it's about virginity loss or sex with someone else though. This is, after all, for free thought so I just thought I'd throw it out there.
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04-10-2004
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04-12-2004
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04-14-2004
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04-21-2004
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04-24-2004
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04-26-2004
anyway, so hes what i think... that there a few layers to this song. Hes romanticizing a flight in a airplane (very, very well) but why? could it be hes comparing this to a new relationship?
could this be reminding him of an old one and what was said in done within it?
or is it literal...is it about just what hes saying: a flight on an airplane and although it makes him sick to think about because of the stale air (feeling green) and the pressure (feeling like a balloon) the sights are very relaxing?
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05-05-2004
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05-06-2004
great great tune.
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05-23-2004
taking a breath, he’s anxious about the beginning of a new relationship (notice he “hold’s the air in till there’s nothing left”....he doesn’t exhale) it’s been so long since he’s been in a relationship of the type that he feels like he’s never experienced it...feeling green..(analogy of the teenage lovers is genius)
“knuckles clenched to white” he’s walking blindly into a relationship and he’s terrified of the possible outcome.... the landing gear retract for flight....the landing gear are the anchors to the safety of the ground.....by letting them go he is leaving a comfort zone and exposing his feelings...he’s putting everything on the line. as he moves further and further from the ground he’s becoming more optimistic (head’s a balloon inflating w/ the altitude)
this next part is by far the best and possible most amazing part of any song ever written...ben gibbard is a genius. he say’s “i watch the patchwork farms’ slow fade into the oceans arms” he’s watching the ground disappear (the ground being everything that he finds comfortable)...not only is he getting further from the ground but being over the ocean he has lost the comfort and safety of solid ground beneath his feet...the whole song is a progression where he moves further and further away of the conventional lifestyle into something foreign to him...and it’s all for a remote chance to win the love of another
“the stale taste of recycled air” he realizes he’s been here many times before but time has allowed the air to become stale. he’s tasted this many times before but time let him forget. he roused up old memories of himself with this girl. i think that they have tried to be in an intimate relationship many times but always have trouble making it work and he just wants one last opportunity. then when he says “calm down release your cares” he loops the whole thing back to the beginning because to me this is him exhaling. he’s become accustomed to the water underneath him and he’s made it over the uncomfortable place in a new relationship
not only do i consider this one of the best ps songs it is on my list of the best songs ever written...this song is the reason that i know that i can get past the uncomfortable point in this relationship that im trying to revive in my own life and he makes me believe that it actually could work
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06-02-2004
~mike
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06-11-2004
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10-11-2004
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10-15-2004
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11-21-2004
the ocean's arms
i love that
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12-03-2004
I thought it was about a case of nerves while
YES...think about hitting up a bong, and read the lyrics.
"i take a breath and pull the air in 'til there's
nothing left" He's taking a huge hit.
"I'm feeling green like teenage lovers between
the sheets " He hit it up too hard, so he's feeling sick.
"my head's a balloon inflating with the
altitude" He's high...hence the altitude reference...
its probably not about hitting up a bong, probably just coincidental.
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12-16-2004
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12-18-2004
"knuckles clenched to white as the landing gear retract for flight."
'landing gear' could imply a few things.
"slow fade into the oceans arms..."
"the stale taste of recycled air..."
I don't know if I need to explain these lines. Recycled air. Kiss.
It's what I think.
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12-24-2004
I like the idea of a parallel to a first relationship or sexual encounter. He's nervous and here he is, breathing recycled air, part and parcel of this created, synthetic world. He becomes docile as the song goes on ("calm down, release your cares") and the instrumentation changes as well. It becomes less jarring and woozy, more tranquilizing, ethereal almost.
It's like he's transitioning from sickly anxiousness into total bliss - and total bliss is very chill, but it's still tastes a bit stagnant. So the parallel with a sexual encounter works really well.
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01-07-2005
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02-18-2005
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03-11-2005
Think about it.
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04-04-2005
"I'm feeling green like teenage lovers between
the sheets" - He is envious of the teens having sex
"knuckles clenched to white" - he is squeezing himself
"as the landing gear retracts for flight" - his balls are coming up and not hanging loose anymore
"my head's a balloon inflating with the
altitude" - The head of his penis is getting larger as its growing
This is kind of gross, but its what I first thought when I heard the song
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04-08-2005
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