I frequent this site- but have never been prompted to sign up for an account until now.
I have been listening to this song regularly for over a year and never gave it too much thought beyond the beauty in the idea of the vastness of the universe simultaneously causing humility and appreciation.
However, the other day this song hit me so hard and I literally put it on repeat for hours.
For me, Justin (as others have touched on) uses the chorus and verses in juxtaposition to one another. Each verse is a recollection of a point of maturity. The first verse- being drunk on halloween is growing beyond a children's holiday into adulthood. The second verse is obviously more a direct reference to time as the house is no longer there- but for me it speaks to a relationship: "Automatic brought the years you'd talk for me". The third, again, like the first references a holiday. This speaks to me personally as me and my older brother "connect" often on holidays (we live far apart) by smoking up and disseminating the relevant season and catch up on life.
Each of these "moments" in his life are times when he seemed happy or perhaps, grounded. Substances, whether alcohol, drugs or music, art, literature and relationships bring him to a point where he feels at ease and connected to the world. It then reaches a head that presents in the respective chorus- the insurmountable, almost limitless universe and the humility of realizing your insignificance. I love the imagery of him above this vast frozen ground between highways that are weaving a connection to another place- to another road, stretching to the edge of the continent and beyond.
The point that struck me the other day though, was the beauty in the title. Holocene: an epoch spanning over 10,000 years- "connectedness" to the earth from present to the past. Not only are we are aware the world is vast- we are aware that we are only a small speck in time. There is beauty in such simple humanity of a flickering flame, the pink hues of a sunrise- things enjoyed by humankind for eons. It connects our present world of Facebook and Smartphones to centuries of humanity that existed before us- and to the future that lays ahead.
He has these "moments" where everything is right with the world: "not the needle nor the thread, the lost decree... Saying nothing was enough for me". Conversation is not needed, you are absorbed in the moment of the "hallowed bright" of Christmas Eve or "Laying waste to Halloween", but "at once", you are struck with the realization that your "moment" is not significant... "I was not magnificent". In this though, there is joy in the feeling that despite that, you are still a part of something.
You are a part of the fabric of humanity- over 10,000 years of 'people'. "Hulled from far the highway aisle", separated from race, religion, politics and war- but connected to love, jealously, empathy, depression and beauty- emotions spanning borders and time. "Someway baby its part of me, apart from me".
Holocene reminds us, humbles us and empowers us.
I have enjoyed reading what others have thought of the song- well perhaps except for those that referred to the lyrics as "garbage"- maybe my thoughts will make sense to someone else.
yo b,
I think some yr comments are right on, but I'd like to add one or two or three more thought bubbles to the page: Having lived in Minneapolis (as Justin has) and spent time Wisc., I've always thought he was making reference to the bridges the span the 35w freeway in Mpls or the Skyways (in the city)... "High above the highway aisle." "I was not magnificient," points to the realization that one is just a speck in the vast sands of time (Holocene). Of course, we all could be slightly wrong, and J seems like the kind of...
yo b,
I think some yr comments are right on, but I'd like to add one or two or three more thought bubbles to the page: Having lived in Minneapolis (as Justin has) and spent time Wisc., I've always thought he was making reference to the bridges the span the 35w freeway in Mpls or the Skyways (in the city)... "High above the highway aisle." "I was not magnificient," points to the realization that one is just a speck in the vast sands of time (Holocene). Of course, we all could be slightly wrong, and J seems like the kind of guy who would never fully explain his lyrics or himself - this is beauty of experiencing open-meaning non-didactic lyrics, yes?
Thanks for the amazing explanation. I am terrible at deciphering lyrics and I had no clue what this song was about before reading your interpretation, but for some reason the emotions the song brought out greatly reflected the meaning of the lyrics. It's funny how the meaning of the song can be there without the words.
Thanks for the amazing explanation. I am terrible at deciphering lyrics and I had no clue what this song was about before reading your interpretation, but for some reason the emotions the song brought out greatly reflected the meaning of the lyrics. It's funny how the meaning of the song can be there without the words.
Great insights. I have also put this song on repeat ... many times actually. To add to your thoughts about emotions spanning borders, I'd say when I look for a border between me and the love that I am, I am unable to find a border. In my experience, when I am feeling the emotions you list, jealousy and depression, I am actually creating the illusion of a border between me and the love I already am. Yet, when I look for the border, I cannot find it. When I can't find it, the...
Great insights. I have also put this song on repeat ... many times actually. To add to your thoughts about emotions spanning borders, I'd say when I look for a border between me and the love that I am, I am unable to find a border. In my experience, when I am feeling the emotions you list, jealousy and depression, I am actually creating the illusion of a border between me and the love I already am. Yet, when I look for the border, I cannot find it. When I can't find it, the illusion dissolves and I experience myself as the truth of who I am. This truth goes beyond any words I have to express it ... but you can experience this too by looking for where you begin and the emotion ends and vise versa. Do this as best you can from your heart, "repeat" it and see what you find.
Not to be melodramatic, but reading your post, listening to this song, tears were rolling down my face at the sheer simple humanity of it. It is a beautiful song that you elegantly capture. Thank you.
Not to be melodramatic, but reading your post, listening to this song, tears were rolling down my face at the sheer simple humanity of it. It is a beautiful song that you elegantly capture. Thank you.
You're interpretation is a masterpiece in itself like this song. It's incredibly moving song even without explanation. What a beautiful platform it has provided for so many people. Instantly flooding them with a great depth connecting them to different moments in time that have carried great weight.
You're interpretation is a masterpiece in itself like this song. It's incredibly moving song even without explanation. What a beautiful platform it has provided for so many people. Instantly flooding them with a great depth connecting them to different moments in time that have carried great weight.
@bevanreay I absolutely LOVED your interpretation of this song. I dont usually have any problem in this area but i drew a blank when i heard this for some reason. Like, a complete blank....it really bothers me too because that i can recall, this is the first time thats ever happened to me and i will b 48 next month. Of course i dont always want to know the meanings behind the music that i listen to and love with so much passion. Just when something really draws me to it and when i say that, i mean like instantly...
@bevanreay I absolutely LOVED your interpretation of this song. I dont usually have any problem in this area but i drew a blank when i heard this for some reason. Like, a complete blank....it really bothers me too because that i can recall, this is the first time thats ever happened to me and i will b 48 next month. Of course i dont always want to know the meanings behind the music that i listen to and love with so much passion. Just when something really draws me to it and when i say that, i mean like instantly upon hearing just a couple of notes and i am already hooked!
The remake of The Sound of Silence had the most powerful life altering affect on me. That one is the one that i can safely say changed me as a person somehow. It did something to me when i heard it. Anyway, it was really great to read this from you. It sounds like music means to you maybe what it does to me. I really would love to hear more from you but these posts are kinda older so i dobt even know if you check these messages anymore. If so i am going to leave my email. I am harmless. I am happily engaged so its nothing personal and i would not want to cause you any trouble. I love to learn and really... I just think i could expand my mind through talking to you about different songs and or genres. My name is Dianna. My email is rain7670@yahoo.com
P.S. now i am going to read this once more and then relisten to the song. Lets see what happens. Thanks for such a beautifully put together interpretation. It was fantastic!
@bevanreay I know this is 6 years later, but I made this account to reply to your post.
@bevanreay I know this is 6 years later, but I made this account to reply to your post.
You moved me to tears with your description of Holocene. I could never find the right words to describe what this song means to me, but you nailed it right on the head.
You moved me to tears with your description of Holocene. I could never find the right words to describe what this song means to me, but you nailed it right on the head.
"Each of these "moments" in his life are times when he seemed happy or perhaps, grounded"
This song makes me feel grounded, that's it exactly. I have often looked around at this world and just felt absolute awe for its beauty, and what it has to offer us. It makes me feel important, and yet utterly insignificant at the same time.
This song is on my morning-of playlist for my wedding day next October. I can't wait to experience it for such a monumental day of my life.
I frequent this site- but have never been prompted to sign up for an account until now.
I have been listening to this song regularly for over a year and never gave it too much thought beyond the beauty in the idea of the vastness of the universe simultaneously causing humility and appreciation.
However, the other day this song hit me so hard and I literally put it on repeat for hours.
For me, Justin (as others have touched on) uses the chorus and verses in juxtaposition to one another. Each verse is a recollection of a point of maturity. The first verse- being drunk on halloween is growing beyond a children's holiday into adulthood. The second verse is obviously more a direct reference to time as the house is no longer there- but for me it speaks to a relationship: "Automatic brought the years you'd talk for me". The third, again, like the first references a holiday. This speaks to me personally as me and my older brother "connect" often on holidays (we live far apart) by smoking up and disseminating the relevant season and catch up on life.
Each of these "moments" in his life are times when he seemed happy or perhaps, grounded. Substances, whether alcohol, drugs or music, art, literature and relationships bring him to a point where he feels at ease and connected to the world. It then reaches a head that presents in the respective chorus- the insurmountable, almost limitless universe and the humility of realizing your insignificance. I love the imagery of him above this vast frozen ground between highways that are weaving a connection to another place- to another road, stretching to the edge of the continent and beyond.
The point that struck me the other day though, was the beauty in the title. Holocene: an epoch spanning over 10,000 years- "connectedness" to the earth from present to the past. Not only are we are aware the world is vast- we are aware that we are only a small speck in time. There is beauty in such simple humanity of a flickering flame, the pink hues of a sunrise- things enjoyed by humankind for eons. It connects our present world of Facebook and Smartphones to centuries of humanity that existed before us- and to the future that lays ahead.
He has these "moments" where everything is right with the world: "not the needle nor the thread, the lost decree... Saying nothing was enough for me". Conversation is not needed, you are absorbed in the moment of the "hallowed bright" of Christmas Eve or "Laying waste to Halloween", but "at once", you are struck with the realization that your "moment" is not significant... "I was not magnificent". In this though, there is joy in the feeling that despite that, you are still a part of something.
You are a part of the fabric of humanity- over 10,000 years of 'people'. "Hulled from far the highway aisle", separated from race, religion, politics and war- but connected to love, jealously, empathy, depression and beauty- emotions spanning borders and time. "Someway baby its part of me, apart from me".
Holocene reminds us, humbles us and empowers us.
I have enjoyed reading what others have thought of the song- well perhaps except for those that referred to the lyrics as "garbage"- maybe my thoughts will make sense to someone else.
Thank you for that. Reading this while listening to the song honestly made me cry. Your interpretation was simply beautiful. Its an incredible song.
Thank you for that. Reading this while listening to the song honestly made me cry. Your interpretation was simply beautiful. Its an incredible song.
yo b, I think some yr comments are right on, but I'd like to add one or two or three more thought bubbles to the page: Having lived in Minneapolis (as Justin has) and spent time Wisc., I've always thought he was making reference to the bridges the span the 35w freeway in Mpls or the Skyways (in the city)... "High above the highway aisle." "I was not magnificient," points to the realization that one is just a speck in the vast sands of time (Holocene). Of course, we all could be slightly wrong, and J seems like the kind of...
yo b, I think some yr comments are right on, but I'd like to add one or two or three more thought bubbles to the page: Having lived in Minneapolis (as Justin has) and spent time Wisc., I've always thought he was making reference to the bridges the span the 35w freeway in Mpls or the Skyways (in the city)... "High above the highway aisle." "I was not magnificient," points to the realization that one is just a speck in the vast sands of time (Holocene). Of course, we all could be slightly wrong, and J seems like the kind of guy who would never fully explain his lyrics or himself - this is beauty of experiencing open-meaning non-didactic lyrics, yes?
Thanks for the amazing explanation. I am terrible at deciphering lyrics and I had no clue what this song was about before reading your interpretation, but for some reason the emotions the song brought out greatly reflected the meaning of the lyrics. It's funny how the meaning of the song can be there without the words.
Thanks for the amazing explanation. I am terrible at deciphering lyrics and I had no clue what this song was about before reading your interpretation, but for some reason the emotions the song brought out greatly reflected the meaning of the lyrics. It's funny how the meaning of the song can be there without the words.
Great insights. I have also put this song on repeat ... many times actually. To add to your thoughts about emotions spanning borders, I'd say when I look for a border between me and the love that I am, I am unable to find a border. In my experience, when I am feeling the emotions you list, jealousy and depression, I am actually creating the illusion of a border between me and the love I already am. Yet, when I look for the border, I cannot find it. When I can't find it, the...
Great insights. I have also put this song on repeat ... many times actually. To add to your thoughts about emotions spanning borders, I'd say when I look for a border between me and the love that I am, I am unable to find a border. In my experience, when I am feeling the emotions you list, jealousy and depression, I am actually creating the illusion of a border between me and the love I already am. Yet, when I look for the border, I cannot find it. When I can't find it, the illusion dissolves and I experience myself as the truth of who I am. This truth goes beyond any words I have to express it ... but you can experience this too by looking for where you begin and the emotion ends and vise versa. Do this as best you can from your heart, "repeat" it and see what you find.
i hear this to calm me down and sleep your insight is so beautiful you have a great mind . sigh i wish i could know ppl like you
i hear this to calm me down and sleep your insight is so beautiful you have a great mind . sigh i wish i could know ppl like you
Not to be melodramatic, but reading your post, listening to this song, tears were rolling down my face at the sheer simple humanity of it. It is a beautiful song that you elegantly capture. Thank you.
Not to be melodramatic, but reading your post, listening to this song, tears were rolling down my face at the sheer simple humanity of it. It is a beautiful song that you elegantly capture. Thank you.
Thank you :)
Thank you :)
Wow. Nice. Makes sense, and made me love this song more. Thanks
Wow. Nice. Makes sense, and made me love this song more. Thanks
@bevanreay Literally crying.
@bevanreay Literally crying.
@bevanreay The house is still there (@ 3rd and Lake, in Eau Claire, WI). It was burned seriously but restored.
@bevanreay The house is still there (@ 3rd and Lake, in Eau Claire, WI). It was burned seriously but restored.
@bevanreay
@bevanreay
You're interpretation is a masterpiece in itself like this song. It's incredibly moving song even without explanation. What a beautiful platform it has provided for so many people. Instantly flooding them with a great depth connecting them to different moments in time that have carried great weight.
You're interpretation is a masterpiece in itself like this song. It's incredibly moving song even without explanation. What a beautiful platform it has provided for so many people. Instantly flooding them with a great depth connecting them to different moments in time that have carried great weight.
Thank you for sharing, loved it.
Thank you for sharing, loved it.
@bevanreay
@bevanreay
Typo within my comment ;) I meant....
Typo within my comment ;) I meant....
Your interpretation.....not "You're"
Your interpretation.....not "You're"
@bevanreay Just signed up here to read about this song's meanings!
@bevanreay Just signed up here to read about this song's meanings!
@bevanreay Just signed up here to read about this song's meanings!
@bevanreay Just signed up here to read about this song's meanings!
@bevanreay I absolutely LOVED your interpretation of this song. I dont usually have any problem in this area but i drew a blank when i heard this for some reason. Like, a complete blank....it really bothers me too because that i can recall, this is the first time thats ever happened to me and i will b 48 next month. Of course i dont always want to know the meanings behind the music that i listen to and love with so much passion. Just when something really draws me to it and when i say that, i mean like instantly...
@bevanreay I absolutely LOVED your interpretation of this song. I dont usually have any problem in this area but i drew a blank when i heard this for some reason. Like, a complete blank....it really bothers me too because that i can recall, this is the first time thats ever happened to me and i will b 48 next month. Of course i dont always want to know the meanings behind the music that i listen to and love with so much passion. Just when something really draws me to it and when i say that, i mean like instantly upon hearing just a couple of notes and i am already hooked! The remake of The Sound of Silence had the most powerful life altering affect on me. That one is the one that i can safely say changed me as a person somehow. It did something to me when i heard it. Anyway, it was really great to read this from you. It sounds like music means to you maybe what it does to me. I really would love to hear more from you but these posts are kinda older so i dobt even know if you check these messages anymore. If so i am going to leave my email. I am harmless. I am happily engaged so its nothing personal and i would not want to cause you any trouble. I love to learn and really... I just think i could expand my mind through talking to you about different songs and or genres. My name is Dianna. My email is rain7670@yahoo.com P.S. now i am going to read this once more and then relisten to the song. Lets see what happens. Thanks for such a beautifully put together interpretation. It was fantastic!
@bevanreay I know this is 6 years later, but I made this account to reply to your post.
@bevanreay I know this is 6 years later, but I made this account to reply to your post.
You moved me to tears with your description of Holocene. I could never find the right words to describe what this song means to me, but you nailed it right on the head.
You moved me to tears with your description of Holocene. I could never find the right words to describe what this song means to me, but you nailed it right on the head.
"Each of these "moments" in his life are times when he seemed happy or perhaps, grounded" This song makes me feel grounded, that's it exactly. I have often looked around at this world and just felt absolute awe for its beauty, and what it has to offer us. It makes me feel important, and yet utterly insignificant at the same time.
This song is on my morning-of playlist for my wedding day next October. I can't wait to experience it for such a monumental day of my life.
@bevanreay Powerful and lovely insights and thoughts. Thank you! Darrell A. Harris
@bevanreay Powerful and lovely insights and thoughts. Thank you! Darrell A. Harris