Lopsided
At the Drive-In Lyrics
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Does it all make sense now
And if the ship was built in bottled sand
Does it all make sense now
The anchors kiss was scrawled
In dyslexic crayon
Yes it all makes sense now
Is this just a life preserver
Of a bivouac tenure
The tropic of cancer answered
Drink the quicksand
A mirror was splintered on the deck floor
Does it all make sense now
A stowaway that lived beneath this hull
Does it all make sense now
The anchors kiss was scrawled
In dyslexic crayon
Yes it all makes sense now
Is this just a life preserver
Or bivouac tenure
This tropic of cancer answered;
Drink the quicksand
It's gills will swim faster after a branch
From the shore
Breathe the taste of salt water
Dry heave up and overboard
Ponce De Leon wrinkles
Let's make it young again
Boat drinks for captains
Row our boat away stowaway
It all makes sense now
If our map was torn navigate, navigate
If your compass broke navigate, navigate
The song "Lopsided" by At the Drive-In deals with the themes of confusion, uncertainty, and a sense of aimlessness, which are reflected in the surreal imagery and fragmented lyrics. The opening lines "This is the accent of the half-hearted land, does it all make sense now" set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer seems to be questioning the legitimacy of their surroundings and the validity of their own experiences. The mention of a ship that was "built in bottled sand" adds to the dreamlike quality of the song, as if everything is fragile and fleeting.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the line "Is this just a life preserver, or bivouac tenure" suggests a sense of ambivalence towards the things that are supposed to protect us. The use of the term "bivouac tenure" adds a military connotation to the song, as if the singer is a soldier trying to make sense of their situation. The following lines, which mention the "tropic of cancer" and "drink the quicksand" further emphasize the feeling of being lost or disoriented, as if the singer is trying to navigate a hostile terrain.
The second half of the song includes some more concrete images, such as the "mirror splintered on the deck floor" and the "Ponce De Leon wrinkles", which refer to the Spanish explorer who was said to be searching for the fountain of youth. The closing lines of the song, "If our map was torn navigate, navigate, if your compass broke navigate, navigate" suggest a determination to find a way forward, even if the path is uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the accent of the half hearted land
The tone and demeanor of the people in this place is lacking in passion or enthusiasm.
Does it all make sense now
Is everything beginning to make sense and come together?
And if the ship was built in bottled sand
If this vessel was constructed from a fragile and unstable material, what does that mean?
The anchors kiss was scrawled
The place where the anchor made contact with the ship was marked, most likely in a hasty or sloppy way.
In dyslexic crayon
The marking was written in a way that suggests it was written hastily or without much thought. It may contain mistakes or be difficult to decipher.
Yes it all makes sense now
It seems that all the pieces are beginning to fit together.
Is this just a life preserver
Is this item only meant to save someone's life in a dangerous situation?
Of a bivouac tenure
Is this something that is only temporary, intended for a short stay?
The tropic of cancer answered
This location is situated in a part of the world known as the Tropic of Cancer.
Drink the quicksand
Metaphorically, it is being suggested that one should take a risk or make a decision that might have negative consequences.
A mirror was splintered on the deck floor
A reflective surface was broken and scattered on the floor of the boat.
A stowaway that lived beneath this hull
Someone who was secretly aboard the vessel, hiding in or under the structure of the boat.
It all makes sense now
The situation may have been confusing or unclear before, but now it is becoming clearer to understand.
If our map was torn navigate, navigate
Even if the plan falls apart or seems to have been disrupted, keep moving forward and find a way to proceed.
If your compass broke navigate, navigate
If the tool designed to guide you is no longer working or has failed, find a new way to guide yourself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CEDRIC BIXLER, JIM WARD, OMAR RODRIGUEZ, PABLO HINOJOS, TONY HAJJAR
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