Tykes who feast but do not pray
Sun dried cheeks and sun dyed grains
Spilled in the house that they leave like geese
Travel in the night like a pearl thief

Believe in ghosts and set them free
Bury your heart, don’t shake that sheet
Give your teeth to the crocodile cave
Under my wings and on my head

Twisting heads with the sounds of change
Change so often they’ll be dead
Kissing the people that you’ll all burn
Trusting your friends without thinking best

Leaving yourself to kill your grief
Rooms can be lonely, but that don’t mean
I want a son who can float and fly
I’ll take a daughter who laughs and cries

When you are home you can do as you please
Some have homes in falling trees
One day our homes will all fall down
One day your body will be in the ground

When I wonder
I often sit wondering, my brain gets so delirious
When I wonder
When ghosts from other places come and meet me do I know that they’re a friend?

When I wonder
I often sit wondering, my brain gets so delirious
When I wonder
When ghosts from other places come and meet me do I know that they’re a friend?

Time to feast, don’t wait to play
?
Off in the dust where they feel like kings
Some got hurt and some did sing

I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
Who will win?

I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
Wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
Who will win?

Bad feelings I know
Good silence means we're home


Lyrics submitted by workorburn

Fickle Cycle song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

23 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    My personal interpretation of this song is that it's a sort of pondering of the future. It's a realization that people die and we die, and sort of a celebration of life. To me, it's also about history and leaving pieces of yourself behind, becoming a part of the past by the acts that we do. I know this is probably a very debatable interpretation, but, it's the tone of the song and the hints I get from the lyrics that make me think this is what it may be about. For example, "kissing the people that you'll all burn. Trusting your friends without thinking best" sort of reminds me of the process in life of gaining new friends, losing old ones, or making enemies. It's this uncertainty of the future and not knowing what people we will meet in our lives. The lines "one day our homes will all fall down, one day our bodies, etc" are discussing our inevitable deaths and the fact that our possessions in this life will be destroyed or lose all ties to ourselves. The singer of this song often sits and thinks about this, about his nonexistence, and it's a difficult subject to comprehend. Earlier in the song, it mentions that "rooms can be lonely," which I think may be a reference to being unrecognized or unremembered in future generations. It's a lonely sort of feeling. Though, he doesn't care if he has a son who "floats and flies," which means he doesn't want to have a child that will be well known for something and gains some sort of power in this world (which would mean he'd then be recognized through his son). He wants a daughter with humanizing, humble qualities. Someone who is just simply passionate about life. I think that the thought of his nonexistence, the thought of everyone's non existence can be somewhat gloomy, but he's okay with it. "Time to feast, don't wait to play," because we're all going to perish. As for "I wonder who will win" is mocking the fact that people are always competing for recognition, but no one will win because eventually even our own planet will cease to exist. I'm really not sure of any of this, though. I don't even know if there is a real meaning behind the song. I have to say I just love the part about feeling "like kings, some got hurt and some did sing," and then it goes into a bout of powerful melody with raw emotional voices. Absolutely beautiful!

    Lins-o-Ramaon October 23, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "One day our homes will all fall down One day your body will be in the ground"

    i vandalize that on the walls off public bathrooms.

    its fun, join me.

    enjoyyourrootson August 20, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    pretty much the most amazing ac song ever.

    when it gets to "twisting..." it explodes with amazingness.

    birdablazeon August 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is the most beautiful animal collective song... i completely agree

    without the music, the words are equally powerful. it's my favorite set of lyrics next to a few modest mouse greats

    articulateson October 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song has to do with being a little kid and growing up and exploring the world

    kate272on March 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Is this song mixed up with "Must be Treeman" on iTunes or is it mixed up on this website?

    olliveron April 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song means that there is so much change throughout our whole lives, but we just adapt to them and just keep repeating the cycle of change until we die.

    The songs are mixed up on iTunes, Must be Treeman and Fickle Cycle should be switched.

    North American Scumon May 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ahh... this song.

    precipitateon May 22, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Kissing the people that you’ll all [miss]

    and

    Rooms can be lonely, but [there's no need]

    admon June 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    What is this song doing off the Feels album? WHY IS BEES ON THERE!?! Argg...

    If you haven't heard this, download it, it's great.

    heyheyhey111on August 11, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". 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.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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/
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“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.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.