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.
I'm not in love with the modern world
I'm not in love with the modern world
It was a torch driving the savages back to the trees
Modern world has more ways
And I don't mention it since it's changed
While the people go out and the people come home again
It's gotta last to build up your eyes
And a lifetime of red skies
And from my bed saying you're haunted, hissing in my bed
Modern world don't ask why
Cause modern world will build things high
Now they house canyons filled with life
Modern world i'm not pleased to meet you
You just bring me down
I'm not in love with the modern world
It was a torch driving the savages back to the trees
Modern world has more ways
And I don't mention it since it's changed
While the people go out and the people come home again
It's gotta last to build up your eyes
And a lifetime of red skies
And from my bed saying you're haunted, hissing in my bed
Modern world don't ask why
Cause modern world will build things high
Now they house canyons filled with life
Modern world i'm not pleased to meet you
You just bring me down
Lyrics submitted by artblot
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Compare to modest mouse's novacaine stain:
And what's replacing them now Interchange causes a mall And crowded chain restaurants More housing developments go up Named after the things they replace So welcome to Minnow Brook And welcome to Shady Space And it all seems a little abrupt No I don't like this change of pace
both excellent "be wary of overdevelopment" songs.
good man, good man
overdevelopment is the death of us, i'm a witness to it in the eternal-growing Austin, Texas
This album was produce by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse.
Amazing sound and lyrics. It says exactly what it means.
I especially like the line "It was a torch driving the savages back to the trees," which suggests that modern civilization isn't necessarily 'better' for us - it just outcompeted and marginalized other "barbaric" societal forms like hunting and gathering. The modern world is presented as cold, efficient, and totalizing.
"Modern world don't ask why" is referring to the myth of progress, which holds that the purpose of society/civilization is production, population, and unlimited growth. But the line "Modern world i'm not pleased to meet you / You just bring me down" argues otherwise - it says that maybe civilization is about happiness, and not about the increasing arms race between people's material wants and means of sating them.
As a student getting an environmental science / anthropology degree, this is my theme song.
Okay.. I should elaborate on that. The current lyric makes it seem like Modern World just so happened to drive the savages back, but the real lyrics make it seem like it was intentionally used as a tool to drive the savages back.
an incredibly fabulous overlooked song.
this song is so good. thats funny cause I compared it to modest mouse too.
this song is so good. thats funny cause I compared it to modest mouse too.
It probably is also referencing the Modern Lovers' "Modern World" ("I'm in love with the modern world")
comparing it to the modest mouse song is interesting, because didn't isaac brock help out during the recording sessions for this album?
yea, brock produced it
I really love the guys voice. Completely amazing song...one of my favourites off the album.