Lyrics of the Week - What are yours?

[Calebark]

Genuinely really appreciate this interpretation. Those lines do my head in. Like, what is catching arrow tips? Why after her birthday?

Maybe a bit of a stretch, but don't a fair few communication apps use arrow heads (image below) to show a message has been seen? It would relate to 'down the phone line''

[heids]

Mine is the single last line of Les Mis (not quite last, since it's followed by an after-death epilogue, but this is the end in my mind).

To love another person is to see the face of God...

I want a way to infuse the music into the lyrics so you can get an idea of how beautiful and perfect this is as a last climactic line to an entire musical

This line has resonated with me so much, and is often in my mind. 

The whole musical is about selflessness and sacrifice in love for others, showing it in a very practical down to earth way, and this line really brings it to a climax: the highest purpose in life, the greatest enlightenment or union with God (even if you're atheist, I don't take it to mean a religious God necessarily), is to love others.

[K888]

Just realised, I haven't provided my explanation behind last week's lyrics. Oops. That'll come soon.

This weeks lyrics are from Carmen by Stromae. It is in French, but the video has English subtitles so you can understand them

This song is all about social media and the culture around it. It also links in stuff about our consumer culture. It addresses the obsession we have with social media, how it can be toxic, and all that stuff. Super powerful.

Hard to choose a favourite part of the song, but I think these are some of my favourite lyrics:

D'abord on s'affilie, ensuite on se follow
On en devient fêlé, et on finit solo
Prends garde à toi
Et à tous ceux qui vous like
Les sourires en plastique sont souvent des coups d’hashtag
Prends garde à toi
Ah les amis, les potes ou les followers
Vous faites erreurs, vous avez juste la côte

This is the translation:

First we meet, then we follow each other
We fall apart, and we end up solo
You’d best beware!
And to all those who like your posts
Plastic smiles are often blows of the hashtag
You’d best beware!
Oh friends and followers
You’ve got it wrong, you’re just popular

Not sure that I can explain these lyrics in particular. They're just really powerful, I really like how he talks about the progression of social media I guess, and that part at the end, about how the popularity you have online isn't 'real popularity'. Yeah.

Absolutely love it. And the thing is, it sounds just like a normal pop song, but it's really got a strong message behind it, and it's a bit of a social commentary.

[brenden]

the popularity you have online isn't 'real popularity'.

Well, I'm fucked.

[Calebark]

It's everyone's favourite time of the week!

Sonata Arctica -- Caleb

Go out, create thunder, and stand right under
That old apple tree
Where dead snakes let him feed

This song is about a kid called Caleb (named after his father), and his two abusive parents. His father dies (buried under the apple tree), but his mother remains. She doesn't try to be so horrible to him, but she can't help it, as the child reminds her of the father.

I believe this part is about no matter what achievements the child makes (creating thunder), he will forever be overshadowed by his father's cruelty (hence under the apple tree).

The name of the song is just a coincidence, haha.

[brenden]

It's everyone's favourite time of the week!

Sonata Arctica -- Caleb This song is about a kid called Caleb (named after his father), and his two abusive parents. His father dies (buried under the apple tree), but his mother remains. She doesn't try to be so horrible to him, but she can't help it, as the child reminds her of the father.

I believe this part is about no matter what achievements the child makes (creating thunder), he will forever be overshadowed by his father's cruelty (hence under the apple tree).

The name of the song is just a coincidence, haha.

I just know whatever lyrics you bring out are going to floor me.

Mine for the week:

YouTube Link - "Arrogance of the Drunk Pedestrian"

And we'll keep on through the shit storm
Until the metaphors are literal
Forced screams are guttural
And we'll keep on through the shit storm
Until the metaphors, until the metaphors

When I said this is all I had I meant it

The type of lyrics that you might need the music to feel.

No explanation from me - just listen if you're interested. One of my favourite songs at the moment. 

[Natasha.97]

But did you see the flares in the sky?
Were you blinded by the light?
Did you feel the smoke in your eyes?
Did you, did you?
Did you see the sparks filled with hope?
You are not alone
'Cause someone's out there, sending out flares
Someone's out there, sending out flares

Flares - The Script

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OojKI0DpodU

I've been listening to this song non-stop for the past week now o.0

[heids]

I'll keep Nick happy by quoting some Avett Brothers lyrics   But nah, the full lyrics (more than music) of True Sadness have lived with me since the first time I heard it.

You were a friend to me
When my wheels were off the track
And though you say there is no need
I intend to pay you back
When my mind was turning loose
And all my thoughts were turning black
You shined a light on me
And I intend to pay you back

This speaks my gratitude for the hugeness of the support I've been given over the last couple years.  I am in great emotional debt to so many people.

Full song here.

[K888]

I'll keep Nick happy by quoting some Avett Brothers lyrics   But nah, the full lyrics (more than music) of True Sadness have lived with me since the first time I heard it.

This speaks my gratitude for the hugeness of the support I've been given over the last couple years.  I am in great emotional debt to so many people.

Full song here.

This is absolutely amazing.
Thanks so much for sharing, Heidi <3

[Wales]

Not sure why I'm so drawn to it but The Girl - Hellberg. No idea what the lyrics mean but it sounds like something special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtveSk1N7Uo

[Verse 2]
Wasted moments, full of potential atonement's
An angel in disguise
But he can see her Aberdeen heart, London eyes, Glasgow bone
She's a whistle in the catacombs, a paradox

[Pre-Chorus]
He's in love with the statue in a marble block
He's in love with the girl that time forgot

Is there any significance to naming the places in the UK?

idkman

[djpetrin15]

Every single lyric of Two Shoes by The Cat Empire. An inspirational song about a man and the features which define his character and his life. It reminds me of the importance of being myself at all times and being proud of who I am.
Lyrics here: https://genius.com/The-cat-empire-two-shoes-lyrics

[Joseph41]

Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise - The Avett Brothers

If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected;
Decide what to be, and go be it.

EDIT: FUCK, so many more I want to share right now. Seven days. Seven days.

[brenden]

Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise - The Avett Brothers
EDIT: FUCK, so many more I want to share right now. Seven days. Seven days.

Great lyrics. This is both the best and the worst thread on ATAR Notes.

[Calebark]

Aaaannndddd it's that time of the week again! This was the hardest choice so far for me. My runner-up was a song about how music washes away the bad experiences of the day -- I'll be sharing it in a week's time! Bring on the lyrics!
Eluveitie -- A Rose for Epona

The sky is falling on me
As your hand's turning old and weak
I'm giving myself upon to thee
A futile sacrifice gone sere

For some context, this album is set in the Gallic Wars. This song is about a Helvetian woman who, having lost everything, acuses one of her gods (Epona) of forsaking her. The lyrics show her begging for help against the Romans. You really need to hear the vocalist sing the lines to really appreciate the emotion (it's been timestamped in the link).

I saw this band live last year, and it was damn amazing! They did a special version of this song in Swiss-German.

[Sine]

For anyone doing VCE/HSC right now 

Reach for the stars so if you fall, you land on a cloud

Kanye West - Homecoming