The bands’ debut release is described as The Fall meets Neil Young- which all makes sense on the band’s debut release, “American Specialties”. The quartet wanders through the American and British underground, picking away their favorite parts with confidence. The lyrics, when intelligible, are bizarre and dramatic. “She looked at me like a fry pan reducing,” moans Savage, from the same lustful subconscious built by the darker moments of psychedelia. Then at times, such as on the 70’s folkish “Square States”, thoughts are more sentimental and transparent. The setting for “American Specialties” ranges from a crusty Brooklyn bodega, to an endless Texas desert. If these sorts of soundscapes appeal to your mind, then you're sure to stumble upon Parquet Courts sooner or later.
Master of My Craft
Parquet Courts Lyrics
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Name in print, tongue, t-shirts and minds
Thread count - high
Commissions - high
Hourly rates - high
A minute of your time?
Forget about it
I didn't come here to dream or teach the world things,
Define paradigms, or curate no livin' days,
With high thread counts and staircases high.
Hourly rates - high
A minute of your time?
Forget about it
Thread count - high
Commissions - high
Hourly rates - high
A minute of your time?
Forget about it
People die I don't care, you should see the wall of ambivalence I'm building
I got no love for the living
Thread count - high
Commissions - high
Hourly rates - high
A minute of your time?
Forget about it
Death to all false profits around here we praise a dollar you f*ckin' hippie
Wanna walk around in my shoes and then tell me how it feels
Thread count - high
Commissions - high
Hourly rates - high
A minute of your time?
Forget about it
From the hands of my mother, said I'm master of my craft
Thread count - high
Commissions - high
Hourly rates - high
A minute of your time?
Ya know Socrates died in the f*ckin' gutter!
The opening lines of Parquet Courts's song Master of My Craft have a brash tone that is almost mocking of the fame and success that the singer has achieved. They list off their accomplishments, which include a gold medal record time, gold record, diamond mine, and their name being recognized in many different forms. However, as they continue on, it becomes clear that they are not interested in using their success to make any sort of positive impact on the world. They do not want to "dream" or "teach the world things" or "define paradigms" or "curate no livin' days." Instead, they revel in their own success and brag about their high thread counts, commissions, and hourly rates. They are dismissive of others' time and even of human life, stating that they do not care about people's deaths.
As the song continues, the singer becomes even more brash and crass. They declare their lack of love for the living and taunt those who might disagree with them. They proclaim that "around here we praise a dollar." But despite this tough exterior, there is a hint of vulnerability in the lines "From the hands of my mother, said I'm master of my craft." It suggests that perhaps the singer's arrogance and dismissiveness is a cover for deeper insecurities.
The song is a commentary on the cult of celebrity and the way that success can be its own goal rather than a means to do good in the world. It also touches on themes of individualism, capitalism, and nihilism.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a gold medal record time, gold record, diamond mine
I have achieved great success in the music industry, with a gold medal, gold record, and a diamond mine
Name in print, tongue, t-shirts and minds
My name and image have been widely promoted, from being printed in newspapers to being talked about on the streets, and even printed on t-shirts
Thread count - high
I am living a luxurious lifestyle, as evidenced by the high thread count of my bedding, which is associated with comfort and wealth
Commissions - high
I earn a lot of money from my work, as evidenced by the high commissions I receive
Hourly rates - high
I am in high demand for my services, as evidenced by my high hourly rates
A minute of your time?
Forget about it
I am very busy and successful, so I don't have time for anyone who doesn't value my time as much as I do
People die I don't care, you should see the wall of ambivalence I'm building
I got no love for the living
I am so focused on my success and wealth that I have no empathy for others, and am indifferent to death and life
Death to all false profits around here we praise a dollar you f*ckin' hippie
Wanna walk around in my shoes and then tell me how it feels
I am obsessed with money and reject any sort of spiritual, idealistic way of life. I challenge anyone to criticize me after experiencing my success
From the hands of my mother, said I'm master of my craft
I was raised to be confident in my abilities and have achieved mastery in my musical craft
Ya know Socrates died in the f*ckin' gutter!
Even the most famous philosophers were not immune to suffering and death, so success and wealth are what matter most to me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE, AUSTIN BROWN, MAX SAVAGE, SEAN YEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind