Green attended Emerson College briefly in 1998 before leaving to concentrate on his music, going on to co-found the anti folk group The Moldy Peaches with Kimya Dawson. In 2004 The Moldy Peaches went on hiatus and both Green and Dawson embarked on solo careers.
Green released several albums on Rough Trade Records. Among his better known songs are "Jessica" (about singer Jessica Simpson), "Novotel", "Friends of Mine", "Dance with Me", "Carolina" and "Emily", and, in Britain, his cover of The Libertines track "What a Waster".
Prior to Jacket Full of Danger in 2006, all of Green's albums had been released on the 22nd of the month. His latest album was released on March 18, 2008 and is titled Sixes & Sevens. Titles include "Morning After Midnight", "Twee Twee Dee", and "Drowning Head First", the latter a duet between Green and his girlfriend.
In January 2008, The Moldy Peaches began having a resurgence in popularity, due to their music being included in the hit indie film Juno.
Exp. 1
Adam Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And know how to butter your bread
Travel to 80 miles high
Get shot down like a duck
And show me how to dig my hole
Show me how to get down slow
Butter your roll just like Nat King Cole
(Yeah, stick it to 'em!)
No, my Birthday's not January, but you were c-c-close
I want to learn sign language
Then I can destroy my phone
Teach it to my family, my two families
Let me show you how to dance
Let me buy you some dessert
You can be part of my family
Like they want me to do
You know I've been drunk before
You know I made up my life before
You know I wont raise some things
And kill animals
So tell me am I ready for you?
Let me stand up on your shoulders
Let me look up your skirt
Fly away little pussy cat
It's like I'm a curse
The lyrics of Adam Green's song Exp.1 are quite surreal and disconnected, giving a sense of a stream of consciousness or a dream-like state. The first lines mention going to school and learning basic skills like buttering bread, but then the song quickly jumps to a surreal image of traveling 80 miles high and getting shot down like a duck. This may refer to the unpredictability and danger of life, contrasting with the orderly routine of school.
The next lines ask to be shown how to dig a hole and get down slowly, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for digging oneself out of trouble or depression. The mention of Nat King Cole and buttering a roll seems like a random association, but could also evoke a sense of nostalgia or comfort. The lyrics then shift to wanting to learn sign language to destroy one's phone, which could imply a desire to escape from technology and society. The mention of having two families and wanting to teach them sign language adds to the sense of confusion and fluid identity.
The final lines of the song are particularly cryptic, with the singer asking if they are ready for someone else and wanting to stand on their shoulders and look up their skirt. This could imply a desire for power or control over others, or a fear of vulnerability and dependence. The mention of a "pussy cat" could refer to femininity or the idea of a timid, powerless creature. Overall, Exp.1 is a strange and intriguing song that leaves many questions unanswered.
Line by Line Meaning
And this is how we go to school
This is our method of learning and acquiring knowledge.
And know how to butter your bread
We are taught practical skills like buttering bread for everyday living.
Travel to 80 miles high
We dream and aspire to achieve great heights and travel to the upper limits of what's possible.
Get shot down like a duck
Our dreams and aspirations can lead to failures and setbacks, much like a duck being hunted in the wild.
And show me how to dig my hole
Teach me how to take care of myself and handle my own problems and challenges.
Show me how to get down slow
Teach me ways to relax, unwind and take it slow when needed.
Butter your roll just like Nat King Cole
Perform your tasks with style and panache, like a masterful musician like Nat King Cole.
(Yeah, stick it to 'em!)
Expressing a feeling of victory or triumph over something or someone.
I think I'll do that
A decision to take action and complete a task.
No, my Birthday's not January, but you were c-c-close
A playful statement to clarify a misconception or incorrect assumption about oneself.
I want to learn sign language
A desire to learn a new language or skill for personal growth or communication purposes.
Then I can destroy my phone
Sign language can eliminate the need for a phone to communicate, which can be liberating.
Teach it to my family, my two families
Sharing newly learned skills or knowledge with both sides of one's family.
Let me show you how to dance
Acting as a teacher to deliver new knowledge or skill to someone else.
Let me buy you some dessert
A gesture of generosity or appreciation to someone with sweet treats.
You can be part of my family
Inviting someone to be included in one's life in a familial or friendly manner.
Like they want me to do
Responding to an external pressure or expectation to fit a certain role or behavior.
You know I've been drunk before
Acknowledging past mistakes or less desirable experiences in one's life.
You know I made up my life before
Taking ownership for one's own path in life, including triumphs and mistakes.
You know I wont raise some things
Having personal beliefs or values that conflict with certain actions or behaviors.
And kill animals
Specifically indicating a behavior or action that one does not condone or practice.
So tell me am I ready for you?
Asking for validation or approval before moving forward in a relationship or undertaking.
Let me stand up on your shoulders
Asking for support and guidance from someone you trust.
Let me look up your skirt
A crass or inappropriate request that lacks respect and consideration for the other person.
Fly away little pussy cat
A dismissive or derogatory comment, treating someone with disrespect or disdain.
It's like I'm a curse
Feeling burdened or trapped by certain circumstances or experiences in life.
Contributed by Daniel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.