1981
Adam Arcuragi Lyrics


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All of the hidden instruments from before i was born keep sending
Miles of discreet transmission to shake me back and forth
And oh the part in my hair like rambo before he ran off
And traded his love for a life of being cold

Oh one day, the few pictures taken will spoil
And for all those that come later my face and the past will all be brown
But between you and me
I'll be singing through my teeth
And smiling as i go

And the words may all be wrong
But i'll still sing every song
My last breaths will lay low

Whispering how much i love you seems like far off coastal lights
And all the jealous one's i could gather wouldn't stretch these tall sails tight
But oh, this nursery for lost jealous sons
Sings in a low and continuous refrain of joy i'll never know
Than just like the shape and tremble from throats as before
The promise that's past but the anticipation of seven thousand mornings

But between you and me
I'll be singing through my teeth
And smiling as i go

And the words may all be wrong
But i will still sing every song
My last breaths will lay low

On that last day when i dissipate all the angels will rejoice
Pressing their wings together to sing in heaven's perfect voice
And role imagined and real and unknown
The song like the pulse an electron chain from the center of the sun
The rim and the role of the space that the massive once hold
All one day will wear out and collapse and eventually explode

But between you and me
I'll be singing through my teeth
And smiling as i go

And the words may all be wrong




But i will still sing every song
My last breath will lay low

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Adam Arcuragi's song "1981" convey a sense of longing and reminiscing about the past, while also recognizing the inevitable passing of time. The first stanza speaks of hidden instruments from before the singer's birth, sending transmissions that shake them back and forth, indicating a feeling of being moved by the past. The mention of Rambo's hair, which was a symbol of courage and rebellion, implies that the singer once had similar aspirations but has since given them up for a "life of being cold." However, despite the passage of time and the eventual fading of memories, the singer promises to continue singing, even if the words are wrong.


The second stanza continues to convey a sense of longing for something that the singer will never know: the "joy" that surrounds the "nursery for lost jealous sons." This is followed by a description of the eventual end of all things, from the dissipation of the singer on their last day to the collapse and explosion of everything. Despite this, the singer promises to continue singing every song until their last breath, indicating a sense of defiance against the inevitability of death and the passage of time.


Overall, the song "1981" uses poetic language to address universal themes of time, memory, and mortality. It speaks of a longing for something lost and an acknowledgment of the inevitability of change, while also expressing a sense of resilience and determination to continue singing through it all.


Line by Line Meaning

All of the hidden instruments from before i was born keep sending
The influences that came before me continue to impact me


Miles of discreet transmission to shake me back and forth
The impact of those influences is strong and constant


And oh the part in my hair like rambo before he ran off
I have an aesthetic choice that reminds me of a popular movie character


And traded his love for a life of being cold
That character in the movie gave up love for a hardened life


Oh one day, the few pictures taken will spoil
One day, memories of me will fade


And for all those that come later my face and the past will all be brown
My past will become distant and unclear to those who come after me


But between you and me
I want to share a deeper bond with you


I'll be singing through my teeth
I'll be singing despite any obstacles or difficulties


And smiling as i go
I'll approach life with optimism


And the words may all be wrong
My thoughts may not be fully formed or accurate


But i'll still sing every song
But I will keep expressing myself regardless


My last breaths will lay low
I will die eventually


Whispering how much i love you seems like far off coastal lights
Expressing my love for you seems distant and far away


And all the jealous one's i could gather wouldn't stretch these tall sails tight
Even the most envious people I know cannot hold me back from love


But oh, this nursery for lost jealous sons
But this world is full of people who struggle to love others fully


Sings in a low and continuous refrain of joy i'll never know
I hear happiness around me, but I sometimes feel as though it is out of reach


Than just like the shape and tremble from throats as before
I feel echoes of the past in the present


The promise that's past but the anticipation of seven thousand mornings
I am still hopeful, despite the past, for a future filled with moments of joy


On that last day when i dissipate all the angels will rejoice
When I die, those around me may take comfort in knowing that I am in a better place


Pressing their wings together to sing in heaven's perfect voice
They will celebrate my life and mourn my loss together


And role imagined and real and unknown
My legacy will be a mix of what I have created and what others perceive


The song like the pulse an electron chain from the center of the sun
My life has a rhythm and impact that extends far beyond myself


The rim and the role of the space that the massive once hold
Like the universe, my life is vast and complex


All one day will wear out and collapse and eventually explode
But like everything else in this world, my life will one day come to an end




Contributed by Charlotte L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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