Strung Out Again
Reflections of Struggle: Unveiling Life's Dualities in Elliott Smith's Melody
Lyrics
You get what you see
You receive what is apparent and straightforward
I saw a rich fuck giving charity
I observed a wealthy individual pretending to be charitable
Saw an evil emperor
I witnessed a malevolent ruler
Wearing my clothes
Wearing attire that belongs to me
They're far from the best
The clothes may not be the finest, but they may be more suitable for you than others
But they might suit you better than the rest
Suggesting that these clothes, though not the best, might be a better fit for the person addressed
Just looking in the mirror
Mentioning that looking at oneself in the mirror can instill courage
Will make you a brave man
The act of self-reflection can make one brave
I know my place
Expressing awareness of one's position or role
Hate my face
Expressing dislike or disdain for one's own face
I know how I begin
Acknowledging the understanding of one's origin
And how I'll end
Anticipating the known outcome or destiny
Strung out again
Feeling emotionally distressed or overwhelmed once again
Was a parliament of owls
Describing a group of owls flying over a city of canals
Fly over a city of canals
Emphasizing the scenic view of owls over a canal-filled city
Floating on the body
Alluding to something floating on the water's surface
Floating in the Dalles
Referencing floating in the Dalles, possibly a location
You get what you see
Reiterating the concept of receiving what is observable
But some things they just change invisibly
Noting that certain things undergo imperceptible changes
I don't know where I'm going
Expressing uncertainty about one's direction or path
And I don't even want to know
Not wanting to know or discover the destination
They're far from the best
Similar to lines 6 and 7, reiterating that certain things may not be the best but might be suitable for someone
But they might suit you better than the rest
Repeating the idea that these things may be a better fit for someone than the alternatives
Just looking in the mirror
Restating that looking at oneself in the mirror can instill courage
Will make you a brave man
Reiterating that the act of self-reflection can make one brave
Standing, smiling
Describing a posture of standing and smiling in an imaginary or idealized place
On some fantasy island
Being in a fantasy island setting
Looking at my lost reflection again
Observing one's own reflection and feeling lost
But a tide's coming in
Using the metaphor of a tide coming in to signify a looming challenge or difficulty
And I'm strung out again
Experiencing emotional distress or feeling overwhelmed once again
Strung out again
Repeating the sentiment of feeling emotionally strained or overwhelmed
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