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Cabin Pressure
Reaching Quiet Lyrics


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Sometimes I marvel at
How symmetrical this airplane is,
Or subversively unbalanced like a nose ring
Or company logos on the bottom
Right corner of your television screen.
I've been conditioned to believe
That human beings
Have been conditioned to believe
There's beauty in symmetry.

"So what about the guy who cleans the airplane?..."
Now, what kind of a character sketch is that:
Incomplete sentence
Of a workman's weekday clothes rack.
What if we were to give him a German accent,
One eye, and a Dali mustache?
You'd immediately think "Cobra" --
He must be unscrewing the propellers,
Banana peel in the gas tank.
But let it be known:
The guy with the molester van
And the dodgey sunglasses
Might be Jesus or your mother.

I want to write balance
Across the aisle from the exit sign,
Cause that's about the only damn
Nose ring on this airplane.

Overall Meaning

The song "Cabin Pressure" by Reaching Quiet is a thought-provoking commentary on human conditioning and perception. The opening lines express the singer's admiration for the symmetrical design of the airplane, which is often associated with beauty. However, the poet acknowledges that symmetry can be subversive as well, like nose rings or company logos placed in the bottom right corner of television screens. The singer then reflects on their own conditioning to believe that beauty is found in symmetry. The lyrics suggest that this idea is pervasive in contemporary society and influences the way people perceive the world around them.


The song then shifts focus to the character of the person who cleans the airplane. The singer questions the preconceived notions that others might have about this individual based on their appearance, asking what if they had a German accent, one eye, and a Dali mustache. The singer suggests that others might immediately assume that this person is a "Cobra," who might sabotage the plane. However, the singer counters this by suggesting that the person might be just as likely to be Jesus or their mother.


In the final lines of the song, the singer expresses a desire to "write balance," suggesting the need for a new way of perceiving the world that involves seeing past surface appearances and assumptions. The line "Cause that's about the only damn nose ring on this airplane" implies that the need for balance is rare and precious, like finding a nose ring on an airplane. Overall, the song invites listeners to question their own perceptions and biases and consider a more nuanced way of seeing the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I marvel at
Occasionally I am impressed by


How symmetrical this airplane is,
The uniformity in the design of this plane is noteworthy


Or subversively unbalanced like a nose ring
Alternatively, it could be deliberately designed to have an unbalanced look, like a nose ring


Or company logos on the bottom
Similarly, the logos placed on the bottom corner of the T.V screen can be aesthetically appealing


Right corner of your television screen.
located on the right corner of your television screen


I've been conditioned to believe
I have been taught to believe


That human beings
people


Have been conditioned to believe
have learned to believe


There's beauty in symmetry.
There is an attractiveness in things that are even


"So what about the guy who cleans the airplane?..."
"What about the worker who takes care of the plane?"


Now, what kind of a character sketch is that:
This is a strange way to describe someone


Incomplete sentence
It is not a complete sentence


Of a workman's weekday clothes rack.
He is dressed up as a service worker


What if we were to give him a German accent,
Hypothetically, if we put a German accent to him,


One eye, and a Dali mustache?
what if he has one eye and a twirled mustache..?


You'd immediately think "Cobra" --
The first thing that comes to mind is someone who is not to be trusted


He must be unscrewing the propellers,
It is assumed that he could be messing with the machinery


Banana peel in the gas tank.
Or even going so far as deliberately sabotaging the equipment


But let it be known:
However, it's important to understand


The guy with the molester van
The person who appears to be potentially skeevy


And the dodgey sunglasses
and wears suspicious sunglasses


Might be Jesus or your mother.
They could be someone of high regard


I want to write balance
I would like to write something that is even


Across the aisle from the exit sign,
On the other side of the aisle from where the exit is located


Cause that's about the only damn
because that is the only thing that is somewhat unbalanced


Nose ring on this airplane.
In comparison, that element resembles a nose ring on a person.




Contributed by Blake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@marinewelsh9927

listening to this album rn after a really heated argument with my mom because of me being stressed out over school,, anticon is how i got thru high school so far :DD

@igotCHSandcantsmokenomore

It's how i got thru high school I graduated this year

@sunstruck

one of the best albums to ever come out of the anticon era... damn i wish yoni, dave, or adam would get together and do something super lofi again.

@droan999

Agreed man

@sunstruck

@droan999 i'm still holding out hope!

@droan999

@NPS you like ropeladder. Another amazing album

@sunstruck

@droan999 ropeladder 12? yea! dope compilation... thanks for reminding me I'll bump that this morning. peace to you,.

@Nonfatcow

Broken Crow is the greatest song ever made

@justinc2818

The live version on WHY? "Almost Live From Anna's Cabin" is amazing if you're not familiar.

@mikesmith95

aye the anna's cabin version is the one. unreal

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