The Shape Is In A Trance
Thurston Moore Lyrics
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But i showed up anyway
Set off the critical alarm
Tweaked to obey
No matter how they change it
The dream always looks the same
Decoy machines are breaking
In protest to the game
The shape is in a trance
Fixated on the fire
The shape will take its trance
To think it can go higher
Reject his record
Eject the lady's master tape
It's not that she won't rewind
Its her desire to take shape
Abandoned bass amp blowing
Love to starlight dream
Boxes of blood plugged into
Our awesome sick machine
In Thurston Moore's song The Shape Is In A Trance, the lyrics seem to speak to a sense of rebellion and taking action against the status quo. The opening line, "I'm not the one they called, but I showed up anyway," indicates a willingness to step outside of convention and the expectation of others. The lines "Set off the critical alarm, Tweaked to obey" suggest that despite the pushback from those who enforce the rules, the singer is willing to go against the grain and follow their own path.
The next few lines speak to the idea that no matter how much society tries to change, there will always be a sense of sameness within the larger scheme of things. The use of "decoy machines" breaking in protest may indicate a rebellion against the machines of society, the gears that keep us moving forward in a predetermined way.
The chorus of the song is particularly interesting, as it speaks to a trance-like state that the shape, or perhaps society as a whole, is stuck in. The lyrics "The shape is in a trance, fixated on the fire, the shape will take its trance to think it can go higher" suggest a society that is so focused on a singular goal that it is blinded to the possibility of greater things beyond it. The final few lines of the song seem to speak to a poetic sense of dreaming and creating, with "abandoned bass amp blowing" and "boxes of blood plugged into our awesome sick machine" painting a picture of a chaotic and beautiful world of free expression.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not the one they called
Despite not being summoned directly, I arrived nonetheless
But i showed up anyway
I felt compelled to attend regardless of my invitation status
Set off the critical alarm
My contribution is causing dissenting opinions to arise
Tweaked to obey
My behavior has been altered to conform with expectations
No matter how they change it
Despite adjustments being made, a vision remains constant
The dream always looks the same
Regardless of alterations, a single aspiration takes shape
Decoy machines are breaking
False entities designed to deceive are becoming nonfunctional
In protest to the game
The systems in place are being challenged and opposed
The shape is in a trance
A pattern is being followed without deviation
Fixated on the fire
The focus is directed towards the intensely passionate
The shape will take its trance
The habit will persist despite alternatives
To think it can go higher
The idea of progression is thought possible by continuing familiar methods
Reject his record
One's creations are being disregarded
Eject the lady's master tape
Disregarding the woman's greatest offerings
It's not that she won't rewind
It's not a lack of willingness to revisit previously recorded material
Its her desire to take shape
The motivation is to evolve and improve
Abandoned bass amp blowing
An unattended and neglected speaker is emitting sound
Love to starlight dream
Affection and admiration towards a peaceful fantasy
Boxes of blood plugged into
Containers of convictions have been connected to
Our awesome sick machine
A dangerous and impressive contraption
Contributed by Gabriella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matt P
Beautiful song! Love the J Mascis solo at 3:23
Judd Hamilton
What an amazing album.
There is Freedom In Christ
Awesome
David Carpenter
Trees Outside the Academy stands up as probably Thurston's strongest record. It was a good period for him. Somehow feels like a long time ago.
Club Astro Transcendental Motor
It does feel like a long time ago and it truly is a strong album all around. I do dig everything post SY he's put out. I've no complaints. Even Kim's album i really dug.
dragon ballz
What does this song mean
The Divine Edgar
i don’t know, but it sounds like the end of something.
sonic youth?
kim?