Gene Eugene's mystical voice—often mistaken for R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe—remained the least-changing element in a band that Thom Jurek of allmusic has described as "inventive and artfully canny." Adam Again's style was rock and acoustic with strong hints of funk and traces of soul running throughout. The band never achieved commercial viability and quit touring and recording together in 2000 after Eugene died in his recording studio, the "fabulous" Green Room.
Strobe
Adam Again Lyrics
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Flipped the switch and you were gone
I feel better when I turn it on
Get real simple when I make a song
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
There go the pitcher on the pitching mound
I can't go up if you go down
Give me a smile, I'll give you a frown
You're the verb and I'm the noun
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Remember when you laughed in my ear three times
I was waiting for more you said "who am I"
Now you're waiting in the shopping line
Saying here's two nickels will you give me a quarter
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
(I want to tell you)
Strobe
The lyrics of the song "Strobe" by Adam Again are quite cryptic and open to interpretation. It seems like the song is about a person who is dealing with feelings of loneliness, confusion, and a desire for connection. The opening lines suggest that the person is waiting for someone to visit them, but then the person disappears. The singer of the song seems to feel better when he turns on a strobe light, perhaps seeking some kind of distraction or escape from his emotions.
The lyrics also touch upon themes of power dynamics and communication. The line "You're the verb and I'm the noun" might suggest that the singer feels like he's being acted upon rather than having agency, or that he's struggling to express himself effectively. The lines about the pitcher on the pitching mound and giving a smile in exchange for a frown could symbolize the idea of competition or trying to please others, even at the expense of one's own happiness.
The final verse seems to be about missed opportunities for connection, with someone laughing in the singer's ear but then pulling away. The image of waiting in a shopping line with two nickels and asking for a quarter could represent the idea of needing something that one doesn't have and feeling like others are unwilling to help.
Overall, the lyrics of "Strobe" convey a sense of frustration, isolation, and longing for something more. The song seems to encourage listeners to speak up and express themselves, rather than bottling up their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear you crawling up my front lawn
I'm aware of your presence and approach towards me
Flipped the switch and you were gone
I took action to get rid of you
I feel better when I turn it on
I find comfort in using this tool
Get real simple when I make a song
I find solace in creating music
There go the pitcher on the pitching mound
The game is happening right now
I can't go up if you go down
If you fail, it affects me too
Give me a smile, I'll give you a frown
Your happiness depends on mine
You're the verb and I'm the noun
You're the doer, I'm the thing affected by it
Remember when you laughed in my ear three times
I recall a specific moment between us
I was waiting for more you said 'who am I'
I expected further interaction but you rejected it
Now you're waiting in the shopping line
You're in a mundane experience
Saying here's two nickels will you give me a quarter
You're asking for a favor or exchange
Strobe (I want to tell you)
Repeating this line emphasizes my desire to communicate something
Contributed by Aiden B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.