Band members:
Andrew VanWyngarden (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums)
Ben Goldwasser (keyboards, vocals, guitar)
Matthew Asti (bass, keyboards)
James Richardson (guitar, vocals)
Hank Sullivant (guitar, keyboards)
Will Berman (drums)
You can learn more about MGMT, browse photos, and see the tour schedule at the Official Website.
In the Afternoon
MGMT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yellow curtains drawn
Designed with comfort in mind
Glowering into the night
Feel like letting go
Final resting place
The Housecat knows when it's time
To enter another phase
But you looked sad
In a reassuring way
And I don't want to leave
So we can both be the same
In the afternoon
Modern sovereignty
The sunlight stopped coming through
And we lost the game
Brains like nesting dolls
Plotting their escape
The doorman sees you're alone
He can't seem to find your name
But you, my friend
Know problems can't be solved
They don't understand
That somehow it's all the same
That somehow it's all the same
That somehow it's all the same
That somehow it's all the same
Relief is like candy
The sweetest kind of love
Who'd guess I'd feel this way?
Like a kid in a candy store
A kid in a candy store
A kid in a candy store
A kid in a candy store
A kid in a candy store
A kid in a candy store
A kid in a candy store
A kid in a candy store
The lyrics of MGMT's song "In the Afternoon" seem to paint a surrealistic image of a rainy afternoon inside a familiar place, possibly a house or a room that's "designed with comfort in mind." The yellow curtains drawn might imply that the singer is trying to shut out the outside world, to enjoy their solitude in peace. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is not alone; there is someone else present, possibly a friend or a lover. The line, "But you looked sad in a reassuring way," suggests that the other person is also struggling with some kind of emotional pain, but they are both trying to put up a brave face for each other.
The mood of the song is melancholic yet uplifting, with the chorus repeating the phrase, "somehow it's all the same," implying that despite how different they may be, despite their struggles and pains, they are still connected. The imagery of the "housecat" knowing when it's "time to enter another phase" and the "doorman" unable to find the other person's name suggests that they are both in a transitional phase of their lives, perhaps uncertain of their next steps. They both seem to be seeking relief, and in each other, they find it, like "candy" in a "kid in a candy store."
Line by Line Meaning
In the afternoon
It's the afternoon, the time of day when the sun is starting to set
Yellow curtains drawn
The curtains in the room are drawn shut and are yellow in color
Designed with comfort in mind
The room was designed to be comfortable and cozy
Glowering into the night
The sun is setting and the evening is coming, creating a dark atmosphere
Feel like letting go
Feeling like giving in and succumbing to the circumstances
Final resting place
A place to find peace and rest
The Housecat knows when it's time
The cat instinctively knows when it's time to move onto the next phase or situation
But you looked sad
You seem distressed or upset
In a reassuring way
In a comforting or supportive manner
And I don't want to leave
Not wanting to move on or let go of the current moment
So we can both be the same
Staying together in this moment and feeling the same emotions
Modern sovereignty
A contemporary sense of control or power
The sunlight stopped coming through
The room stopped being filled with natural light
And we lost the game
Failing to achieve a desired outcome or failing to keep up with the changing environment
Brains like nesting dolls
Thinking about different things within one's mind, layered like Russian nesting dolls
Plotting their escape
Planning to escape or move on from the current situation
The doorman sees you're alone
The doorman notices that you are by yourself and may need assistance or attention
He can't seem to find your name
The doorman is unable to locate your information or identity
But you, my friend
Referring to the person the singer is addressing
Know problems can't be solved
Understanding that some issues cannot be resolved or fixed
They don't understand
Other people may not grasp the situation in the same way
That somehow it's all the same
Despite the different circumstances, the emotions or feelings are the same
Relief is like candy
The feeling of relief is like a sweet treat
The sweetest kind of love
Relief is one of the best feelings and can mimic feelings of love
Who'd guess I'd feel this way?
Surprised by the fact that relief can bring such intense emotions
Like a kid in a candy store
Feelings of joy and excitement similar to that of a child in a candy store
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andrew VanWyngarden, Benjamin Goldwasser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind