I got home this morning
With the sun right in my eyes
And there was no warning
Yes, it took me by surprise
As it hit me like an act of God
Causing my alarm
That I had not become a cephalopod
I still had legs and arms
Yes, I still had legs and arms

And today was supposed to be the day
Molecules decide to change their form
Laws of physics lose their sway
And youthful indiscretion now is suddenly the norm
With the good kids sprouting horns
Yeah, yeah

And today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Was supposed to be
Today was supposed to be opposite day

Those who can't quite function
In society at large
They're going to wake up on this morning
And find that they're in charge
While those the world's set up for
Who are really doing quite well
They're gonna wake up in institutions
In prison or in hell
In prison or in hell

And today was supposed to be the day
Molecules decide to change their form
Laws of physics lose their sway
And youthful indiscretion now is suddenly the norm
With the good kids sprouting horns
Yeah, yeah

And today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Was supposed to be
Today was supposed to be opposite day

But if you think there's something else
Well, you're right
There is, there's something else
But if you think I'm gonna tell you, think again
Why should I even think of telling you what there is
Yeah, 'cause silence is knowledge and knowledge is power
I'm under explicit orders to dare not speak it's name
Listen up, I just work here, oh, I dare not speak it's name
I can't keep talking about it, oh, I dare not speak it's name

Overall Meaning

The song "Opposite Day" by Andrew Bird talks about a day that should have been different from any other - a day when everything is opposite. The lyrics describe the expectation that on this day, molecules will change their form, laws of physics will be irrelevant, and even the most well-behaved people will start misbehaving. The singer talks about how those who have not been doing so well, will wake up in positions of power and control, while those who have been doing okay will end up in prisons, mental institutions or hell. The singer himself had hoped to become a cephalopod but was disappointed that he still had legs and arms.

However, the song ends with an unexpected twist. The singer hints that there is something else about this day that he knows, something that he is not allowed to talk about. He speaks of silence being knowledge and knowledge being power, implying that there is something that he knows that is so powerful that he is under explicit orders not to reveal its name. The juxtaposition between the playful concept of "opposite day" and the undercurrent of a secret implication creates a sense of tension and intrigue throughout the song.

The song has various interpretations based on the listener's understanding. It could be a commentary on the expectations and disappointments of life, in which we anticipate a different reality from what we experience. It could also be a political commentary on the shifting of power dynamics and how those who may not have been in positions of control can rise to power unexpectedly. Overall, the song offers a thought-provoking mix of playful yet profound contemplations.

Line by Line Meaning

I got home this morning
The singer came home in the morning

With the sun right in my eyes
The sun was shining directly in the singer's eyes

And there was no warning
The singer was not given any warning about what would happen next

Yes, it took me by surprise
The artist was surprised by what happened next

As it hit me like an act of God
The artist was struck by what happened next as if it were an act of God

Causing my alarm
The singer felt alarmed by what happened

That I had not become a cephalopod
The singer did not transform into an octopus as they had hoped

I still had legs and arms
The artist was still in human form

And today was supposed to be the day
The artist had expectations for what would happen today

Molecules decide to change their form
The artist expected molecules to change their form

Laws of physics lose their sway
The singer expected the laws of physics to no longer apply

And youthful indiscretion now is suddenly the norm
The artist expected people to behave in a youthful and reckless manner

With the good kids sprouting horns
The singer expected even the well-behaved kids to behave badly

Those who can't quite function
People who struggle to function in society

In society at large
In the broader community

They're going to wake up on this morning
These people will wake up on this specific day

And find that they're in charge
They will find themselves in positions of power

While those the world's set up for
People who are well-suited for the world as it is

Who are really doing quite well
Who are successful in society

They're gonna wake up in institutions
These people will wake up in institutions (such as hospitals or prisons)

In prison or in hell
These institutions may be like prisons or hell

But if you think there's something else
The artist is acknowledging that there may be more to this situation than what they have described

Well, you're right
The listener is correct in thinking that there is more to the situation

There is, there's something else
There is indeed more to this situation

But if you think I'm gonna tell you, think again
The singer is not willing to reveal the additional information

Why should I even think of telling you what there is
The singer has no motivation to reveal the information

Yeah, 'cause silence is knowledge and knowledge is power
The singer is suggesting that withholding information is a way to maintain power

I'm under explicit orders to dare not speak it's name
The artist has been instructed not to reveal the information

Listen up, I just work here, oh, I dare not speak it's name
The artist is reiterating their lack of control over the situation

I can't keep talking about it, oh, I dare not speak it's name
The singer is reinforcing their inability to reveal the information

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