The term refers more to the set of instruments than to the players of those instruments. A gamelan is a set of instruments as a distinct entity, built and tuned to stay together — instruments from different gamelan are generally not interchangeable.
The word "gamelan" comes from the Javanese word "gamel", meaning to strike or hammer, and the suffix "an", which makes the root a collective noun.
There is an increasing amount of gamelan outside Indonesia.
Room of Fools
FKA twigs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a dark room
Dancing
Almost lost you
This room of fools
We make something together
We're open wounds
Just bleeding out the pressure
And it feels nice
It feels nice
It feels nice
It feels nice
Stray dogs
On the dance floor
Demigods
In unconscious flow form
Wanting what they want more
This room of fools
We make something together
We're open wounds
The beautiful untethered
And it feels nice
It feels nice
It feels nice
It feels nice
And it feels nice
The night I saw you
It feels nice
In a room of fools
And it feels nice
I knew I could conjure
It feels nice
Be whoever I please
FKA twigs's "Room of Fools" delves deep into the themes of vulnerability, collective experience, and the liberating yet chaotic nature of human connection. The opening lines establish a scene that is both intimate and disorienting, as the singer describes a "dark room" where a "stranger" dances. This ambiguity evokes a sense of both excitement and foreboding, as darkness often symbolizes the unknown. The act of dancing can be interpreted as an expression of freedom, a way of navigating through uncertainty, and a potential escape from everyday life. The mention of almost losing the stranger hints at the fleeting nature of interactions in such environments, suggesting a desire to connect yet an awareness of the impermanence of those encounters.
The repeated refrain of the "room of fools" serves to encapsulate a collective identity—a group of individuals who come together in their shared bewilderment and emotional rawness. The phrase suggests a certain absurdity in their situation; here, within this confined space, they become vulnerable, akin to "open wounds" that bleed out the pressure they experience in life. This imagery of bleeding alludes to the emotional scars that many carry and emphasizes how communal spaces like dance floors can be therapeutic. It offers a paradoxical comfort in shared suffering and a release of pent-up feelings, where pain transforms into a cathartic communal celebration. This contrast between pain and joy is a central theme, as the repeated affirmation of "it feels nice" becomes almost mantra-like, reflecting a euphoric acceptance of their emotional states.
Further into the lyrics, the mention of "stray dogs" and "demigods" on the dance floor deepens the exploration of identity and transformation. These metaphors capture the wildness and freedom that come with surrendering to the music and the ambiance of the space. Stray dogs often symbolize lost or wandering souls, representing individuals searching for solace or belonging, while demigods imply a touch of divinity or grandeur, suggesting that, in this space, they can transcend their ordinary lives. The juxtaposition highlights the duality of human existence—capable of both nuanced fragility and profound strength. This tension is reflected in their "unconscious flow form," where the act of dancing serves as a form of liberation, allowing them to embody their desires and emotions without the constraints of societal expectation.
The closing lines invoke a sense of empowerment and transformation, as the singer reflects on the encounter with the stranger. The phrase "I knew I could conjure" implies an awakening of personal agency and the ability to manifest a desired self within this sanctuary of openness. The repeated insistence that “it feels nice” reinforces the ecstatic realization that within the "room of fools," one can explore unconventional identities and reclaim lost parts of themselves—being "whoever I please." This journey through pain, vulnerability, and ecstatic release ultimately paints a portrait of a human experience that is complex yet beautiful, grounded in the need for connection, understanding, and the liberating power of community. The room, therefore, becomes not just a physical space, but a metaphorical realm where individuals can dance with their darkness while reaching for the light of shared experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Stranger
A mysterious presence that evokes curiosity and intrigue.
In a dark room
Surrounded by obscurity, where identities and emotions blend seamlessly.
Dancing
An expression of freedom and connection, moving in rhythm with life.
Almost lost you
Teetering on the brink of disconnection, experiencing fleeting intimacy.
This room of fools
A space filled with those unafraid to act irrationally or embrace vulnerability.
We make something together
In our shared chaos, we create a unique bond or experience.
We're open wounds
Exposed and raw emotions, revealing fragility beneath the surface.
Just bleeding out the pressure
Releasing pent-up tension and pain, allowing catharsis to flow freely.
And it feels nice
Experiencing the relief and pleasure that comes from embracing vulnerability.
It feels nice
Reinforcing the sensation of comfort found in shared experiences.
It feels nice
A repetition underscoring the satisfaction derived from genuine connection.
It feels nice
Echoing the joy of liberation that arises amidst emotional openness.
Stray dogs
Lost souls seeking acceptance and belonging in an unpredictable world.
On the dance floor
In a shared public space, where personal expression and community converge.
Demigods
Individuals embodying extraordinary qualities amidst their human flaws.
In unconscious flow form
Existing in a natural state of movement and emotion, unrestrained by conscious thought.
Wanting what they want more
Desiring deeply, yearning intensely for connection and experience.
This room of fools
The familiar chaos of a place where authenticity is prized over societal norms.
We make something together
In collaborating through shared experiences, we create meaningful memories.
We're open wounds
Acknowledging our vulnerabilities and imperfections, revealing our humanity.
The beautiful untethered
Those liberated from constraints, embracing a life unbound by limitations.
And it feels nice
Experiencing the joy that arises from finding solace in each other.
It feels nice
Reinforcing the comfort of connection in this impermanent moment.
It feels nice
A repetition that highlights the consistent nature of this comfort.
It feels nice
Further emphasizing the bliss found in unfiltered interaction.
And it feels nice
Continuing the theme of pleasure found in vulnerability and connection.
The night I saw you
A pivotal moment signifying the beginning of profound emotional interplay.
It feels nice
Reinforcing the warmth and joy that connection brings in a fleeting moment.
In a room of fools
In a space where authenticity triumphs over social expectations and judgment.
And it feels nice
Celebrating the ongoing delight found in shared human experiences.
I knew I could conjure
Realizing the power to manifest desires and emotions through connection.
It feels nice
An affirmation of the satisfaction and joy tied to personal agency.
Be whoever I please
Embracing complete freedom in self-expression, shedding societal limitations.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Tahliah Debrett Barnett, Lewis Roberts, Marius de Vries
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shotbywyn
[Verse 1]
Stranger
In a dark room
Dancing
Almost lost you
[Chorus]
This room of fools
We make something together
We're open wounds
Just bleeding out the pressure
And it feels nice
It feels nice
It feels nice
It feels nice
[Verse 2]
Stray dogs
On the dance floor
Demigods
In unconscious flow form
Wanting what they want more
[Chorus]
This room of fools
We make something together
We're open wounds
The beautiful untethered
And it feels nice
It feels nice
It feels nice
It feels nice
[Outro]
And it feels nice
The night I saw you
It feels nice
In a room of fools
And it feels nice
I knew I could conjure
It feels nice
Be whoever I please
@Somoenefromalgeria
The björk influence in the whole album is crazy
@ReubenAStern
This one does sound like a Bjork song now you mention it. Unfortunately Bjork was ahead of her time. Way ahead of her time.
@MarlinForbes
I hear Tori Amos as well.
@Somoenefromalgeria
@@ReubenAStern i mean that's why we call her queen of art pop
@benjiarias9599
Bjork but many other artists. I hear Royksopp for example in Eusexua. I hear at times Nicolas Jaar.
@ericeychis
i've listened to plenty of bjork and i haven't even thought of that once. now that it's mentioned, i can kinda pick it up in some of the vocal inflections here (in how she says "fools") and the general vibe. at the end of the day, it's her song and uniquely hers.
@Dani-yn9kc
Kate bush,Björk and Sophie are all over this song. Its beautiful <3
@troyeduacamilaalliegrimesm4626
Sophie? Hahaha
@pancakes2528
@@troyeduacamilaalliegrimesm4626yeah the production is very similar to soohie
@troyeduacamilaalliegrimesm4626
@ no lol hahajahaha