Lyrics
There's a smell here that stands my hairs on end
There's a disturbing scent that causes my hairs to stand on end.
Dog hair in the heater, gas pumps and cedar
There's a mix of dog hair, gasoline pumps, and cedar; perhaps representing a blend of mundane and natural elements.
And jackknifes on the nine
Reference to jackknifes on the nine, possibly alluding to danger or accidents on a highway.
And seabirds choked on fishing line
Seabirds suffering from the effects of pollution, specifically fishing lines.
Clouds are a hush but the chainsaws mush on to Custer and Columbia
Despite a quiet atmosphere, chainsaws are at work, heading towards Custer and Columbia.
Salty tentacles drink in the sun but the red tide is over
Red tide is mentioned, indicating an algae bloom that may have harmful effects on marine life.
The mollusks they have won
Mollusks, possibly resilient to the red tide, are portrayed as winners in this ecological context.
There's a smell here of gravel and cigarettes lit
A smell of gravel and lit cigarettes, suggesting an atmosphere laden with gritty and perhaps unpleasant elements.
When the match made them sweet
Matches making cigarettes sweet may symbolize the fleeting enjoyment of something addictive.
When the engine turned over and beat up our street
The engine starting, possibly representing the beginning of a significant event that impacted the street.
Oh, that was the day
Reflecting on a memorable day.
To remember
The day is emphasized as one to be remembered.
I remember because of the fires that leapt
Recollection of fires, metaphorical or real, associated with events that have not yet occurred.
From the caves of the things that have not happened yet
These future events are described as sinister, implying a sense of foreboding.
When I think of it now they smell to me quite sinister
The fires and their scent evoke a sinister feeling in hindsight.
I want to go back and die at the drive in
Expressing a desire to return to a past moment, specifically the drive-in, suggesting nostalgia or a wish for a different outcome.
Die before strangers can say
The desire to die before strangers express negative feelings about rain, possibly linked to a preference for a specific memory.
I hate the rain
An expression of dislike for rain.
I hate the rain
Reiteration of the dislike for rain.
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