Fifteen
¡Forward Russia! Lyrics
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To tell a different story
I'll need to see a more generic height from ground
This modern Jackanory
Won't be revision of an older narrative
Or plagiaristic fable
But when you think that things will change while dark turns light
There comes that shrill awakening sound
Of falling down
And while around
Hanging up the checkout
You wear me down
You wear me out
A brittle thought
A lucky sound
Turn me to God again
I traversed automatic 'wishes granted' lines
Received a common but remarkably expensive gift
And to believe it is to see in this substance glitch,
And though it's clearly fleeting
The interim is gobbled up like after-thoughts
Or morphine to the veins of the depandantees
And though it's obvious this is a fleeting glimpse
It's eaten up, so chronic
Eat it, and it will leave!
I'm out the sanctuary!
There's not a sinner to save your movie
Except in Canada, ooh-ooo-ooo
Eat it, and it will leave!
Become the secretary!
There's not a sinner to save your movie
Except in Canada, ooh-ooo-ooo
And in Montreal...
And in Washington, oh...
Aesop would be proud!
That his true favourite has conformed to stereotype
And your iambic pentameter
It goes in fours, nines, threes, twos, eights and twelve's
Don't let that serving blacken the sound
Of falling down
And while around
Hanging up the checkout
You wear me down
You wear me out
A brittle thought
A lucky sound
Turn me to God again
The lyrics of ¡Forward Russia!’s song Fifteen seem cryptic at first, but upon closer examination, the words hint at feeling overburdened by life's banality. The opening verses describe a desperate need for a change in routine or narrative to ignite fear, with the suggestion that turning to God may be the only solution. The lyrics then move into a stream-of-consciousness recollection of a previous experience, describing an ambiguous gift and sense of fleetingness that's “eaten up, so chronic.” Despite some confusion in the lyricism, the chorus remains consistent and offers a moment of clarity as the singer laments about being worn down and begs for relief.
The song's theme of asking for release from boredom and repetition of daily life is a common one among albums released in the 2000s, yet the band's sound is unique. The instrumentals are angular and aggressive, and the lyrics are sung over syncopated rhythms, with a plethora of instruments—guitar, drums, keyboard, etc.—used to create a sense of urgency in the track. The song's angst-ridden energy is characteristic of ¡Forward Russia!, but it also reflects the indie-rock scene of the mid-2000s in which they emerged.
Line by Line Meaning
To build a charred and beguiled sense of fear
To create a frightening and deceptive feeling
To tell a different story
To narrate a new and unique tale
I'll need to see a more generic height from ground
I require a more common and basic perspective
This modern Jackanory
This contemporary tale-telling
Won't be revision of an older narrative
It won't be a revised version of an older story
Or plagiaristic fable
Nor will it be a copied fable
But when you think that things will change while dark turns light
However, when you expect improvements but things remain the same
There comes that shrill awakening sound
A loud and sudden realization hits you
Of falling down
Of failure or collapse
And while around
While things are happening nearby
Hanging up the checkout
Working at the register
You wear me down
You exhaust me
You wear me out
You tire me completely
A brittle thought
A fragile idea
A lucky sound
A fortunate sound
Turn me to God again
Make me believe in God again
I traversed automatic 'wishes granted' lines
I went through automated wish-fulfillment queues
Received a common but remarkably expensive gift
Got an ordinary but exorbitantly priced present
And to believe it is to see in this substance glitch
And if you find it credible, then you perceive a fault in this substance
And though it's clearly fleeting
Even if it's evidently impermanent
The interim is gobbled up like after-thoughts
The transitory phase is forgotten like an afterthought
Or morphine to the veins of the depandantees
Or like morphine in the veins of addicts
And though it's obvious this is a fleeting glimpse
Although it's evident this is a short-lived view
It's eaten up, so chronic
It's completely consumed, becoming habitual
Eat it, and it will leave!
Consume it, and it will depart!
I'm out the sanctuary!
I'm leaving this safe space!
There's not a sinner to save your movie
No one can rescue your show
Except in Canada, ooh-ooo-ooo
Only in Canada, ooh-ooo-ooo
Become the secretary!
Become the administrative assistant!
And in Montreal...
And in Montreal...
And in Washington, oh...
And in Washington, oh...
Aesop would be proud!
Aesop would be pleased!
That his true favourite has conformed to stereotype
That his favorite has, in fact, fulfilled the stereotype
And your iambic pentameter
And your poetic meter
It goes in fours, nines, threes, twos, eights and twelve's
It changes between lines of four, nine, three, two, eight, and twelve syllables
Don't let that serving blacken the sound
Don't let the serving distort the sound
Contributed by Natalie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.