The thematic centerpiece of 'Boxer' and maybe (along with "Theory of the Crows" and "Bloodbuzz Ohio") the quintessential National song. It's about dressing up and playing adult, looking the part and going through the motions, but ultimately wondering what the hell you're doing and how you got here.
The opening lines set the scene - a guy and his girlfriend trying to get each other ready (pinned flowers, ties) for a grown-up night out, all the while acknowledging the tragedy of the whole charade: "We'll be alright we have our looks and perfume on." That's what their lives have become - looking, smelling, and acting as late-20 early-30 somethings are expected to.
Like "Slow Show", it's about being out in the adult world doing adult things but wanting, at the end of the day, just to come home and do nothing at all ("Hold ourselves together with our arms around the stereo for hours..."), a temporary reprieve (hiding behind the couch until they're forced back into the fold) from the trivial obligations of the real world. They find solace in each other, and their music (which, of course, is timeless), if nothing else.
Also, I always saw "Everything we did believe is diving, diving, diving, diving off the balcony" as a reference to how idealism and naivety (dreams, hopes) go right out the window as the first casualties of the growing-up process. They're watching it happen, but there's nothing they can do about it; that's just life.
Great theme, great lyrics, GREAT drumming, great song.
The Replacements' "Left of the Dial" has a line - "Pretty girl keep growing up, playing makeup - wearing guitar..." that makes me think of "Apartment Story". They both reflect the notion that we never really grow up; we just play the part as we know we're supposed to. I think there's something about acknowledging this, even as we're getting older, that makes the whole thing a little less painful.
I wish I could upvote this post mor than once. In my opinion, you nailed it. We often go too far in looking for the meanings of songs, but that's the beauty of music. It can be very personal.
I wish I could upvote this post mor than once. In my opinion, you nailed it. We often go too far in looking for the meanings of songs, but that's the beauty of music. It can be very personal.
However, you didn't forget that it's important to consider the body of work--in this case Boxer. It's a coming of age album, highlighting bewilderment with adulthood.
However, you didn't forget that it's important to consider the body of work--in this case Boxer. It's a coming of age album, highlighting bewilderment with adulthood.
The thematic centerpiece of 'Boxer' and maybe (along with "Theory of the Crows" and "Bloodbuzz Ohio") the quintessential National song. It's about dressing up and playing adult, looking the part and going through the motions, but ultimately wondering what the hell you're doing and how you got here.
The opening lines set the scene - a guy and his girlfriend trying to get each other ready (pinned flowers, ties) for a grown-up night out, all the while acknowledging the tragedy of the whole charade: "We'll be alright we have our looks and perfume on." That's what their lives have become - looking, smelling, and acting as late-20 early-30 somethings are expected to.
Like "Slow Show", it's about being out in the adult world doing adult things but wanting, at the end of the day, just to come home and do nothing at all ("Hold ourselves together with our arms around the stereo for hours..."), a temporary reprieve (hiding behind the couch until they're forced back into the fold) from the trivial obligations of the real world. They find solace in each other, and their music (which, of course, is timeless), if nothing else.
Also, I always saw "Everything we did believe is diving, diving, diving, diving off the balcony" as a reference to how idealism and naivety (dreams, hopes) go right out the window as the first casualties of the growing-up process. They're watching it happen, but there's nothing they can do about it; that's just life.
Great theme, great lyrics, GREAT drumming, great song.
I wish I could upvote this post mor than once. In my opinion, you nailed it. We often go too far in looking for the meanings of songs, but that's the beauty of music. It can be very personal.
I wish I could upvote this post mor than once. In my opinion, you nailed it. We often go too far in looking for the meanings of songs, but that's the beauty of music. It can be very personal.
However, you didn't forget that it's important to consider the body of work--in this case Boxer. It's a coming of age album, highlighting bewilderment with adulthood.
However, you didn't forget that it's important to consider the body of work--in this case Boxer. It's a coming of age album, highlighting bewilderment with adulthood.
It's my favorite National album.
It's my favorite National album.