I heard somewhere this is based on a dream Jeff Magnum had. It was tried in the studio but he didn't like how it came out. Great exaple (via the live versions) of how Jeff can turn a quiet serene scene into utter chaos, and this is his most chaotic song. The moog synth, feedback, imagery of a burning ferris wheel slicing the town in half. One of Neutral milk hotel's best.

I agree. A fun version was one in San Francisco where Jeff sings along to the melody at the end, moments after the most manic instrumental segment. You can watch it here: http://www.the-collective.net/~sashwap/nmhvideo/01%20Ferris%20Wheel%20On%20Fire.mov

I agree. A fun version was one in San Francisco where Jeff sings along to the melody at the end, moments after the most manic instrumental segment. You can watch it here: http://www.the-collective.net/~sashwap/nmhvideo/01%20Ferris%20Wheel%20On%20Fire.mov

The instrumental section after the second verse has to be one of my favourite bits of NMH stuff...

From the interview mentioned before :

How much of an influence are the sounds of the circus?

I'm very influenced by the circus. And by my dreams. In a lot of dreams I have, I'm in the circus. I'll dream there's a Ferris wheel in flames, and I'm walking through the crowd.

i love this song. you can definitely get the feeling of this ferris wheel catching on fire and then i guess, rolling through a city. creepy. such a good nmh song and very different to the usual.

I agree with Cynothoglys, that version of the song is my favorite one. Jeff's vocals in this one are so moving, and he really does a great job. NMH are greatly missed.

Well, I looked up on a dream interpretation site and it says:
"To see or ride on a Ferris wheel in your dream, suggests that you are going around in circles. You are headed nowhere. Alternatively, it is symbolic of wholeness and the circle of life. Life is full of ups and downs."
Fire has lots of meanings, but there's one for seeing things burning.
"To see something burning, indicates that you are experiencing some intense emotions and/or passionate sexual feelings. There is some situation or issue that you can no longer avoid and ignore. Alternatively, it may suggests that you need to take time off for yourself and relax."

The last lines on the first paragraph shows guilty, the weight of the ferris wheel on the shoulders. Maybe it is guilty for these intense emotions or passionate sexual feelings, they showing up and breaking the ferris wheel. The "and everything we ever learned" line matches with the meaning of wholeness.

The second paragraph shows that he's standing stow watching everyone run away from the wheel, and the wheel destroying everything. He sees that those emotions that caughted the wheel on fire are harming people, turning everything into a wreck.

In the third paragraph, "I am holding you under my skin" could refer to these emotions, but it wouldn't make much sense, I think.

Please, comment my interpretation! This song is awesome.

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This song has such fantastic imagery. I get the clearest image of Jeff riding, somehow unharmed, on this ferris wheel that is engulfed in flames, rolling through a cheering town as everything is destroyed. Just fantastic.

I think its kind of bizarre when he says "watch these buildings fall watch as each resistance caves in." Seems kinda like hes referencing the September 11 attacks. Its weird to think about. in my opinion this song is more about how he doesn't want any spotlight or recognition for his talents. "Now I'm keeping stow
In someone's bright carnival ride All the crowd just cheers As the bolts break and metal collides Spiraling through And flying up all over the hills And now everything's broken in two And everything's way over." its interesting to think about a crowd of kids are just cheering when the bolts break and the metal collides like this is something so small and simple and goofy but it makes people happy kind of like his music. thats my opinion of it. in "I will bury you in time" I get the same type of feeling like when Jeff sings " And if I was the king of all the kids You'd you hear me singing in my spit" This shows the type of artist he is and I respect that and thats what makes his music great simplistic but complex as shit. to put it frankly.

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to me i get the feeling it's about leaving someone for another and then the relationship with the new person is failing and doesn't feel right and as it's getting worse memories of the original lover are coming back

ok kiddies- noone is even trying here.. this has got to be 10f the simplest of all to breakdown from mr. jeffersonalfred-. and I usually like to just read these things, but these batch of interpretations make me feel sad and aesthetically displeased.. or does that make me less praddy.

these are my facts to myself.. regarding this partcular songgpuzzle destroyer aka Ferris Wheel on Fire.
-Jeff's puzzle ends here! its pretty important / the carnival is not just being closed but being destroyed, meaning shove your requests of asking him to return as this part of his life (puzzle) is done, move on if you can't figure out his billion pieces.. he said it before selling it to you @ "conversation with robert.mp3" - !start there cause it's the corner puzzle" (it's not just a stupid skit, it actually explains the brilliance of the entire show you all witness3d and love, even grow with).
a. note.. he pushes thumbs through your cheeks to make your muscles move and pushes thumbs through her spine is the same action of putting puzzle pieces together in this circus where there are many rides covering earth even going through oceans.. but they are going on. "Ann Frank" is only 1 piece of the puzzle.. If any of you really want to get into the middle pieces, study Louisiana and it's history and it's post slavery and it's cover up of why art is the only way the past can have a voice as loud as anne frank's publishers.. practically albino's down there don't you think? they run to spain and their enslaved ancestors.

- jeff's houdini act in his NMH world might never be completed to full satisfaction, but be thankful he created it for you. Kim 33 1.3 and pitchfork interviewer just couldn't get close enough to ask, "who the ghosts were aside anne?". are they lincolns freed slaves? are they his grandparents? or both.. I dont know, I haven't gotten there yet. puncture had the best chance to ask but just was not prepared.. as most of you on this board including myself.

- "Now I'm keeping stow" meaning he's not dying with the puzzle ride, but putting it on the top shelf/ no tearing teeth can silver back his toungue already.. so i guess the hypnotism worked.. and he's laughing at all of us on the clouds..

sincerely,
evan Perri