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3 Inch Horses Two Faced Monsters
Modest Mouse Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's the big show tongue tip tied to the roof of my mouth
Bad naughty little angels come rushin' out.
I don't know but I been told you never die and you never grow old.
I guess you guessed that I"d catch hell.

I just caught a cold but now I'm feelin' well.
It's the big show it's big show
Looked like we were photographed at gun point so I had to laugh.
Ha ha.

You said "I hope you live forever." Don't you wish that on me.
You said "don't be clever."
I don't know but I been told you never die and you never grow old.
It's the big show. It's the big show!

Three inch horses watching them drown (in the tar pits).
We're kneeling down.
They see us talking out both sides of our mouths.
Two faced monsters. aaawh.

Overall Meaning

The song "3 Inch Horses Two Faced Monsters" by Modest Mouse is a cryptic piece that metaphorically critiques society's moral decay. The lyrics, "It's the big show tongue tip tied to the roof of my mouth, bad naughty little angels come rushing out" seem to convey a sense of forcible control, where society expects people to maintain a superficial image, but inside, everyone has their own demons.


The line, "I don't know but I have been told, you never die and you never grow old" alludes to the idea that society's rules and norms remain ever-green, no matter how archaic, irrelevant, or outdated they may seem to individual minds. The song seems to remind us of the deep-rooted, double-faced nature of the world around us, which forces us to tread carefully to avoid feeling the repercussions of our actions.


Moreover, the lyrics "Three-inch horses watching them drown (in the tar pits). We're kneeling down. They see us talking out both sides of our mouths. Two-faced monsters" subtly criticize humanity for its indifference towards the sufferings of the less fortunate, as we continue to lead materialistic lives, playing games of word choice and empty promises. The chorus, "It's The Big Show," repeated twice throughout the song, seems to suggest that life is nothing but a mere illusion and plays out like a grand show for people's entertainment.


Line by Line Meaning

It's the big show tongue tip tied to the roof of my mouth
I feel overwhelmed and tongue-tied, like I'm at a huge event.


Bad naughty little angels come rushin' out.
I have urges or desires that are frowned upon by society.


I don't know but I been told you never die and you never grow old.
I've heard people say that immortality is possible, but I'm not sure if that's true.


I guess you guessed that I'd catch hell.
I assume that you thought I would get in trouble for my actions.


I just caught a cold but now I'm feelin' well.
Despite feeling sick earlier, I'm feeling better now.


It's the big show it's big show
This is a major event or moment for me.


Looked like we were photographed at gun point so I had to laugh.
The situation seemed serious or dangerous, but I found it humorous.


Ha ha.
I'm laughing at the absurdity or irony of the situation.


You said 'I hope you live forever.' Don't you wish that on me.
Although you meant it as a compliment, I don't actually want to live forever.


You said 'don't be clever.'
You warned me not to be too smart or sly.


Three inch horses watching them drown (in the tar pits).
I see small or insignificant things struggling and failing.


We're kneeling down.
I'm taking a submissive or humble position.


They see us talking out both sides of our mouths.
Others perceive us as being dishonest or hypocritical.


Two faced monsters. aaawh.
We are deceptive or insincere, which is disappointing or frustrating.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

DDball

Gives me the feeling of being in some dusty interstellar saloon

Micah Maddox-Gilbert

This is my favorite song to break glass to

Sam F

my favorite song to press rosin to

Bob Glob

@David Levy love eatin glass to it

David Levy

@frogblast and mine to rail glass

frogblast

Mine to shoot glass too

Tommy P

'i hope you live forever' dont you wish that on me 'dont be clever'

Deva Burks

Tom Perrone 5

Jazzbo's Paradox

I was on acid the first time I heard this song. I remember thinking that he used a mirror to get that effect on his vocals. hahaha #life

Dan Thibodeau

Synesthesia is mysterious

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