Video
Aimee Mann Lyrics
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TV's flat and nothing is funny
I get sad and stuck in a cone of silence
Like a big balloon with nothing for ballast
Labeled like a bottle for Alice
Drink me down or I'll drown in a sea of giants
[Chorus]
And tell me, "Baby, baby, I love you
It's nonstop memories of you
It's like a video of you playing
It's all loops of seven-hour kisses
Cut with a couple near-misses
Back to the scene of the actor saying:
'Tell me, baby, baby ? why do I feel so bad?'"
Tell me why I feel so bad, honey
Fighting left me plenty of money
But didn't keep the promise of memory lapses
Like a building that's been slated for blasting
I'm the proof that nothing is lasting
Counting to eleven as it collapses
[Chorus]
Baby, baby, I love you
Baby, baby, I love you
But baby, I feel so bad
The opening lines of "Video" by Aimee Mann establish an introspective and melancholic mood. The singer seems to be experiencing a sense of ennui, as if they are unable to connect with the outside world. The TV is "flat" and "nothing is funny," suggesting that even the comfort of familiar entertainments brings no joy. The metaphor of a "cone of silence" further illustrates the sense of isolation, highlighting the lack of communication or connection with others. The image of a "big balloon with nothing for ballast" adds to the feeling of being unmoored and adrift.
The second verse of the song provides a little more context for the singer's feelings. They have apparently experienced some kind of conflict or difficulty, represented by the mention of "fighting." However, this has brought material rewards ("left me plenty of money") but at a cost to their emotional well-being ("didn't keep the promise of memory lapses"). The image of a building "slated for blasting" emphasizes the sense of transience and impermanence, tying it in with the earlier reference to Alice in Wonderland ("labeled like a bottle for Alice / Drink me down or I'll drown in a sea of giants").
The chorus of "Video" introduces a little more ambiguity, with a different voice speaking to the singer. The repetition of "baby, baby, I love you" suggests that this is a romantic partner, but the lines that follow could be interpreted as either affectionate or ironic. The reference to "nonstop memories" seems positive, but the description of these memories as "loops" might imply that they are repetitive and unchanging. The vivid detail of "seven-hour kisses" followed by "near-misses" suggests a kind of emotional rollercoaster. The repeated question "why do I feel so bad?" is ambiguous - is it the singer or the actor speaking?
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why I feel so bad, honey
Asking the reason behind the feeling of sadness in her heart.
TV's flat and nothing is funny
Boredom and lack of amusement in daily life.
I get sad and stuck in a cone of silence
Feeling isolated and unable to express her emotions.
Like a big balloon with nothing for ballast
Feeling empty and weightless, like a balloon without any weight inside it.
Labeled like a bottle for Alice
Feeling objectified and stereotyped like Alice in Wonderland.
Drink me down or I'll drown in a sea of giants
The only options seem to be either to fit in with the crowd or be overwhelmed by it.
[Chorus] And tell me, 'Baby, baby, I love you
Despite the sadness, feeling loved by someone.
It's nonstop memories of you
Being unable to forget the memories of the person she loves.
It's like a video of you playing
Memories of the person seem like a video that keeps replaying in her mind.
It's all loops of seven-hour kisses
Recalling specific moments of being with the person, especially the intimate ones.
Cut with a couple near-misses
The memories are not perfect and are mixed with some moments that were almost perfect but not quite.
Back to the scene of the actor saying: 'Tell me, baby, baby ? why do I feel so bad?'
The repeated memory of the person questioning why they are both so unhappy.
Tell me why I feel so bad, honey
The repetition of feeling sad and questioning why, even with material possessions and wealth that was gained from fighting.
Fighting left me plenty of money
Gained financial success, but lost personal fulfillment.
But didn't keep the promise of memory lapses
Even with the success, the memories of being unhappy still exist.
Like a building that's been slated for blasting
Like a building that is set to be destroyed, feeling disposable and unimportant.
I'm the proof that nothing is lasting
The evidence that nothing in life is permanent.
Counting to eleven as it collapses
Watching something fall apart, and counting to eleven as it happens.
[Chorus] Baby, baby, I love you
Despite the sadness, feeling loved by someone.
Baby, baby, I love you
Despite the sadness, feeling loved by someone.
But baby, I feel so bad
The repeating feeling of sadness and questioning why it exists, despite the love she feels for someone else.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aimee Mann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind