Cicadas and gulls
They scrape on the hull
The land and the sea
They're distant from me

I'm in the sky, sky, sky
I'm in the sky

Thoughts are like pearls
And flags are unfurled
When we're in the dark
I'll ride you back the ark

Because you might, might, might
Because you might

Maps can be posed
With you on your own
And distance is braille
And all that entails

I'm in the sky, sky, sky
I'm in the sky
I'm in the sky

Empty as a page
As high as a stage
As full as a room
When we're in the spoon

Overall Meaning

"Cicadas and Gulls" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Feist, from her third studio album, "Metals." The song's lyrics, though abstract, seem to convey the feeling of being disconnected from the world around you. Feist sings of the sounds of cicadas and gulls, which she says are "distant" from her. The scraping of these sounds on the hull of a ship could symbolize the way the sounds of the world can be both annoying and comforting at the same time. However, Feist sees herself as being in the sky, removed from these sounds and disconnected from the world.

She then moves on to talk about thoughts and flags, which could represent ideas and identity, respectively. These are more things that can distance us from others if we become too wrapped up in them. Feist also references the biblical story of Noah's Ark, which is often seen as a symbol of safety and security. She says she'll ride you back to the ark, possibly offering to take someone with her where they can both be safe and protected.

The final verse of the song continues with the theme of distance, but this time it's through maps and braille. Feist notes that maps can be "posed", or manipulated, and that distance can be experienced through touch, like reading braille. The final line, "when we're in the spoon", could possibly be a nod to drug culture, but it's unclear exactly what Feist means by it.

Overall, "Cicadas and Gulls" seems to be a song about feeling disconnected from the world and seeking safety and security wherever it can be found. The abstract lyrics invite multiple interpretations, but Feist's haunting vocals and the song's melancholic melody create a vivid and atmospheric listening experience.

Line by Line Meaning

Cicadas and gulls
The sounds of cicadas and gulls are audible to me

They scrape on the hull
The sounds of the cicadas and gulls are overpowering and overwhelming

The land and the sea
The environment that surrounds me is vast and wide

They're distant from me
Despite the sounds around me, I feel distance and detachment from my surroundings

I'm in the sky, sky, sky
I feel high and detached from my surroundings

I'm in the sky
I feel detached and elevated

Thoughts are like pearls
My thoughts are valuable and rare

And flags are unfurled
New perspectives and discoveries are being revealed to me

When we're in the dark
During times of uncertainty and confusion

I'll ride you back the ark
I will guide and protect you through difficult times

Because you might, might, might
Because there is a possibility of negative outcomes