Wait Actually Yeah No
Enigmatic Journey: They Might Be Giants' 'Wait Actually Yeah No' Explained
Lyrics
on a south sea islandwait actually yeah no
Uncertainty about being on a South Sea Island; indecision expressed.
in the doctor's waiting room downtownno never mind
Initial mention of a doctor's waiting room downtown but then deciding not to discuss it.
on a highway exit ramp
Reference to a highway exit ramp.
in a big department store
Mention of a big department store.
wait um yeah no
Indecisiveness regarding a situation or location.
world war one the western front
Reference to World War One on the Western Front.
place you went on business once
Recollection of a place visited for business.
yes but not that
Denial or rejection of the mentioned place.
twenty-car collisionwait actually yeah no
Description of a twenty-car collision; hesitation about confirming it.
someone you don't know staring at youno never mind
Mention of someone unfamiliar staring, followed by a decision to disregard the idea.
pair of white magician gloves
Introduction of a pair of white magician gloves.
camels in a caravan
Reference to camels in a caravan.
wait um yeah no
Indecisiveness about trying something new.
thing you haven't tried before
Encouragement to explore something untried.
misremembered anecdote
Mention of a misremembered anecdote.
yes but not that
Denial or rejection of the mentioned anecdote.
self-enclosing whale
Introduction of a self-enclosing whale as a concept.
artificial pain
Mention of artificial pain as a concept.
marijuana egg
Introduction of a marijuana egg as a concept.
swimming tambourine
Mention of a swimming tambourine as a concept.
frozen human rug
Introduction of a frozen human rug as a concept.
secret wolverine
Mention of a secret wolverine as a concept.
odorless guitar chord
Introduction of an odorless guitar chord as a concept.
wouldn't it be good ifwait actually yeah no
Expressing a desire or idea with uncertainty and subsequent hesitation.
what aboutokay like a thing likeno never mind
Proposal of a concept or idea, followed by a decision to withdraw it.
wait a second, hear me out
Suggesting the listener wait and listen to the speaker's idea.
picture this: imagine if
Encouraging the listener to imagine a scenario or concept.
wait um yeah no
Indecisiveness about sharing a specific idea or concept.
open up your mind to this
Encouragement to open one's mind to a particular concept.
close your eyes, consider it
Encouragement to consider a concept with closed eyes.
yes but not that
Denial or rejection of the suggested concept.
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