I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Asleep mid-sentence the words fell apart.
No one is listening anyway.
This day will soon turn black and my “wants and needs”
Will spill on my burning ashes.
I learned to be selfish today…
I learned to be alive.
These things I care for are for
My personal gain and my personal happiness only.
Why should I sit in your chairs and satisfy your standards.
I've done it all before and I've confused my self
A thousand times.
The tragic day that I call morality
Just doesn't do it for me anymore.
No more choices, just standing in the cold.
The day will turn black and I will have either lived or died.
Asleep mid-sentence- my words fall to the ground.
Swept into this dreamland.
Economic satisfaction, never succeed.
But happiness has its place.
Justice will not lie in your corner.
Throw myself in the corner
I have nothing to complain about here.
A tragic day seems too peaceful to most,
Spoiled ambitions turned my heart to black.
Living dreams, loving dreams,
Awakening to what I've always dreamt of.
Living dreams, loving dreams,
Awakening to what I've always dreamt of.
The familiar sound, the familiar sound of
The lovely love from the love of my life
Will keep the notes coming.
From the reciting of the show,
From the plip and the shevanel,
From the grind that annoys,
And the sarcasm they hate…
No one is listening anyway.
This day will soon turn black and my “wants and needs”
Will spill on my burning ashes.
I learned to be selfish today…
I learned to be alive.
These things I care for are for
My personal gain and my personal happiness only.
Why should I sit in your chairs and satisfy your standards.
I've done it all before and I've confused my self
A thousand times.
The tragic day that I call morality
Just doesn't do it for me anymore.
No more choices, just standing in the cold.
The day will turn black and I will have either lived or died.
Asleep mid-sentence- my words fall to the ground.
Swept into this dreamland.
Economic satisfaction, never succeed.
But happiness has its place.
Justice will not lie in your corner.
Throw myself in the corner
I have nothing to complain about here.
A tragic day seems too peaceful to most,
Spoiled ambitions turned my heart to black.
Living dreams, loving dreams,
Awakening to what I've always dreamt of.
Living dreams, loving dreams,
Awakening to what I've always dreamt of.
The familiar sound, the familiar sound of
The lovely love from the love of my life
Will keep the notes coming.
From the reciting of the show,
From the plip and the shevanel,
From the grind that annoys,
And the sarcasm they hate…
Lyrics submitted by Juddc3891, edited by begintoknow
Mordecai Lyrics as written by Mark Edward Castillo Jason Schofield King
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
According to Tommy, BTBAM's vocalist: "there is a homeless man in Raleigh, Nc named 'shevanel' and he has a pet dog named 'plip'...'Shevanel' seemed to always be happy every time I saw him, and it amazed me that someone with so little could be so stoked on life. Life is confusing and horrible at times but doing the things we love can make it the best thing on this planet"
I love this song and the video is awsome too... well this is a kinda long explaination:
In this song "his" words are filled with ambivolance toward "her" which reflects his emotions toward the world negatively. He feels as if nobody listens to him, therefore he feels insignificant to the world. There is a passage of time, as he begins to stop thinking of others as a metamorphisus arrives within him. Wihin his change comes a realization of "her" which is when he wonders why should he set aside his belifs for her? He begins to hover over existentialism when he begins to see that his days will soon and he will have to face the inevitable fact that he either lived life or slept through it ( "abstraction"). It eventually comes down to what has been said or rather forgotten. Through this chaos that is "him", "she" has not played fair in the game of love, and actually does nto give a damn about him, its all just standards on her part to meet...In all her brutality he initially closes his eyes and blocks it all out as he forgives all her wickedness. Even after all the pain he endures, "he" truely belives "she" is worth it. IN the end it is her spoiled ambition that tears him apart.
this song rocks!! i just found out about this band. buy their CD!
great great song. what is a plip and shevanel? anyone?
this band doesnt get enough credit. they could kill anyone except dillinger.
It's close between these guys and DEP though...sometimes these guys are so technical and inspired musically. I don't think there is another band who can play so technically and make it seem so simple. This song is a masterpiece. The build up part that begins "from the reciting...." really makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
This song is about how selfish and confused everyone are… it seems like one day you can be the happiest person in the world and the next day you hate everything for some odd reason. We take everything we have for granted (trust me, I’m in the same boat)… and no matter how much shit sucks for each one of us…there are always worse off people and we need to always keep that in mind… this song goes out to everyone that I’m friends with and spent quality time with… you make life amazing. The title “Mordecai” is from the birds name in “The Royal Tenenbaums”… I chose this name because in the movie, Luke Wilson kept Mordecai around because he loved it… and he finally realized that the bird needed to be on its own in the wild (the idea of freeing yourself). I get emails all the time about the word “shevanel and plip”… it’s actually a very bizarre story: there is a homeless man in Raleigh, Nc named “shevanel” and he has a pet dog named “plip”… yeah I know that’s probably the weirdest thing you have ever heard, but it is true. “Shevanel” seemed to always be happy every time I saw him, and it amazed me that someone with so little could be so stoked on life. Life is confusing and horrible at times but doing the things we love can make it the best thing on this planet. -tommy
Yea I live in Raleigh and my friend met Shevanel. He said he smelled really bad. This song is awesome!!!
all i have to say is.....HOLY SHIT DRUMS
I love the wqay the soft part of this song still uses double peddel... I not reely herd any other chiiaxing songs with double pedd... n BTTBAM make it sound ace... hell, ALL there stuff sounds ace =D