Dylan Thomas
Better Oblivion Community Center Lyrics

It was quite early one morning
The singer woke up unexpectedly early one morning

Hit me without warning
The singer was not expecting to wake up so early

I went to hear the general speak
The singer attended a speech given by a military general

I was standing for the anthem
The artist stood up to participate in the national anthem

Banners all around him
There were many banners and flags surrounding the general

Confetti made it hard to see
There was so much confetti falling that it was difficult to see

Put my footsteps on the pavement
The singer walked down the street

Starved for entertainment
The artist was desperately in need of some form of entertainment

Four seasons of revolving doors
The artist has been through many changes and circumstances in their life

So sick of being honest
The artist is tired of always being truthful

I'll die like Dylan Thomas
The singer is willing to die for what they believe in, similar to poet Dylan Thomas

A seizure on the barroom floor
The artist may be experiencing seizures, possibly due to alcohol or drug use

I'm getting greedy with this private hell
The singer is becoming selfish with their personal struggles

I'll go it alone, but that's just as well
The singer is prepared to face their issues alone, as they believe it is for the best

These cats are scared and feral
The people around the singer are afraid and uncontrolled

The flag pins on their lapels
The people around the artist are likely politicians or government officials

The truth is anybody's guess
No one really knows what is true anymore

These talking heads are saying
The news or media is propagating some message

"The king is only playing a game of four dimensional chess"
The singer sees the leader or government as manipulative

There's flowers in the rubble
Amidst chaos and destruction, there is something beautiful

The weeds are gonna tumble
Things are falling apart and changing

I'm lucid but I still can't think
The artist is clear-headed but struggling mentally

I'm strapped into a corset
The singer feels constrained or restricted in some way

Climbed into your corvette
The artist got into a luxury car, possibly as a symbol of wealth or status

I'm thirsty for another drink
The singer needs alcohol to cope with their problems

If it's advertised, we'll try it
The singer and those around them are easily influenced by advertisements

And buy some peace and quiet
They hope to find calmness and relaxation through purchasing something

And shut up at the silent retreat
They attend a retreat where they are expected to be quiet

They say you've gotta fake it
The artist has heard that pretending to be successful or happy can lead to real success or happiness

At least until you make it
The singer may be pushing themselves to pretend until they have achieved their goals

That ghost is just a kid in a sheet
Something that was originally perceived as frightening or serious is actually harmless or silly

I'm getting used to these dizzy spells
The artist is having frequent bouts of dizziness

I'm taking a shower at the Bates Motel
The artist is possibly referencing the movie Psycho, where a character is murdered in the shower at the Bates Motel

I'm getting greedy with this private hell
The artist's personal problems are consuming them

I'll go it alone, but that's just as well
The singer is prepared to face their problems alone, as they do not want to burden others with their issues