Arca embraces fluidity and changing between states, whether it be gender, genre, or personality. In a 2020 interview, they say "We all have multiple personalities. Rather than causing panic, I think maybe that could cause some relief". "There was a clear intention on her fourth album, Kick i to allow every self to express itself. Not to decide how much air time each self would get, but to allow for modulation between them in a spontaneous way. There is no such thing as normal". In Mutability and ambivalence guide the sound of her music — the atmospheres they create often contain abrasive percussive blasts, metal-shop whine, the screech of subway brakes, the whine of jet engines overheating. Anthropomorphic and animalistic sounds abound —mewling cats, mooing cows, anguished screams, the grunts and groans of orgasm, commingling pleasure and terror and beauty and ugliness in the most thrilling ways possible.
She has also been credited for her writing/producing efforts on Björk's Vulnicura and the entirety of Utopia. Alongside FKA twigs' EP2 as well as for their collaborations with Dean Blunt, Frank Ocean, Kelela, Kanye West, ROSALÍA and Lady Gaga, among others.
membrane
Arca Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
During those slow dances where
No one touched, no one touched
A position in Customs was a good secure job
Customs was a good secure
Working directly, such strange people
I have decided to take the
Liberty of reading this text in a
I will continue reading the text
Though they're not respecting the
Order of words
I've lost my respect the amount
Of times I wasn't saying a particular word
That they would prioritize
To create a pattern of reading
Griefly misunderstanding
Misrepresented and conflated
Misrepresented and conflated
To find new surprises in the
Way in which I read
Working directly in Transport
Was probably more exciting and fun
To watch in the movies
But really, such strange people
Music's slow dances were so pure
Take any of them, take any million
Who are they? What do they want?
Most famous poet in five explored galaxies
The streetlights came on and his image glazed
Before they let an expression fix their face
Or the blind man till age thirty
Of half a century in his craggy face
Surprise, he thought
She puts her hand on the bar
Slow dances where no one touched
The lyrics to Arca's song "membrane" explore themes of identity, perception, and the power dynamics within various social structures. The first verse introduces the singer, referred to as "the General," who reflects on their experiences during slow dances where no physical touch occurred. This lack of intimacy is juxtaposed with the General's position in Customs, which is depicted as a secure job. However, the mention of "such strange people" suggests that the General's interactions in this role were unconventional or perhaps challenging.
The General then expresses their decision to read the given text in a different way, deviating from the prescribed order of words. This rebellion against the established pattern implies a loss of respect and frustration. The General feels misunderstood, misrepresented, and conflated, indicating a disconnect between their true self and the way others perceive them. They seek new surprises in the act of reading, suggesting a desire for fresh perspectives and alternative interpretations.
The second verse introduces the General's experience in Transport, which is portrayed as more exciting and fun, albeit strange. This contrast highlights the General's fascination with unconventional individuals or situations. The mention of music's slow dances being pure adds an element of nostalgia and suggests a longing for a deeper connection.
The lyrics then take a speculative turn, questioning the identity and motives of anonymous individuals or groups. The mention of the "most famous poet in five explored galaxies" implies a figure of great influence and importance. The mention of streetlights coming on and the glazing of their image conveys a sense of transformation or realization. The blind man's story also adds to the theme of perception, as his face is described as "craggy" and his surprise suggests a shift in perspective.
Overall, "membrane" explores the complexities of human interaction, the search for genuine connection, and the impact of perception on one's sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
Wondered the General
The General was curious and intrigued
During those slow dances where
In the moments of slow dances
No one touched, no one touched
There was no physical contact between the dancers
A position in Customs was a good secure job
Working in Customs provided stability and safety
Customs was a good secure
The Customs department offered a reliable and stable environment
Working directly, such strange people
Interacting with unique and unconventional individuals
I have decided to take the
I made the choice to
Liberty of reading this text in
Freedom to interpret and understand this text
Different way
In a distinct and unique manner
I will continue reading the text
I will persist in the act of reading
Though they're not respecting the
Even if they do not adhere to the
Order of words
Proper sequence and arrangement of words
I've lost my respect the amount
I have diminished my regard for the frequency
Of times I wasn't saying a particular word
When I refrained from uttering a specific word
That they would prioritize
That they would consider more important
To create a pattern of reading
In order to establish a reading pattern or structure
Griefly misunderstanding
Momentarily misconstrued and comprehended incorrectly
Misrepresented and conflated
Distorted and merged together
Misrepresented and conflated
Distorted and merged together
To find new surprises in the
In search of fresh revelations within the
Way in which I read
Manner and style in which I approach reading
Working directly in Transport
Engaging directly with the field of Transportation
Was probably more exciting and fun
Likely to be more thrilling and enjoyable
To watch in the movies
As observed in films
But really, such strange people
However, truly unique individuals
Music's slow dances were so pure
The slow dances in music had a genuine, untainted quality
Take any of them, take any million
Select any of those dances, choose any of them in great numbers
Who are they? What do they want?
Who are these people? What are their desires?
Most famous poet in five explored galaxies
The most renowned poet in five extensively studied galaxies
The streetlights came on and his image glazed
As the streetlights illuminated, his image appeared blurred
Before they let an expression fix their face
Before allowing any emotion to settle on their faces
Or the blind man till age thirty
Or the visually impaired man until reaching the age of thirty
Of half a century in his craggy face
Of fifty years displayed on his weathered face
Surprise, he thought
He pondered with astonishment
She puts her hand on the bar
She gently places her hand on the counter
Slow dances where no one touched
Leisurely dances devoid of physical contact
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xxxxx8891
Wondered the General
During those slow dances where no one touched, no one touched
A position in Customs was a good secure job
Customs was a good secure
Working directly, such strange people
I have decided to take the liberty of reading this text in a different way
I will continue reading the text
Though they're not respecting the order of words
I've lost my respect the amount of times I wasn't saying
A particular word
That they would prioritize
To create a pattern of reading
Griefly misunderstanding
Misrepresented and conflated
Misrepresented and conflated
To find new surprises in the way in which I read
Working directly in Transport
Was probably more exciting and fun to watch in the movies
But really, such strange people
Music's slow dances were so pure
Take any of them, take any million
Who are they? What do they want?
Most famous poet in five explored galaxies
The streetlights came on and his image glazed
Before they let an expression fix their face, or the blind man
Till age thirty, of half a century in his craggy face
Surprise, he thought
She puts her hand on the bar
Slow dances where no one touched
@Korosareta
This one is so good Idek how many times I've listened to it
@franka100
I don’t even know how to describe this one. Takes me to a whole new relaxed planet. I see dark blue / purple skies. Peace. One of my fave parts of the entire song
@xxxxx8891
Wondered the General
During those slow dances where no one touched, no one touched
A position in Customs was a good secure job
Customs was a good secure
Working directly, such strange people
I have decided to take the liberty of reading this text in a different way
I will continue reading the text
Though they're not respecting the order of words
I've lost my respect the amount of times I wasn't saying
A particular word
That they would prioritize
To create a pattern of reading
Griefly misunderstanding
Misrepresented and conflated
Misrepresented and conflated
To find new surprises in the way in which I read
Working directly in Transport
Was probably more exciting and fun to watch in the movies
But really, such strange people
Music's slow dances were so pure
Take any of them, take any million
Who are they? What do they want?
Most famous poet in five explored galaxies
The streetlights came on and his image glazed
Before they let an expression fix their face, or the blind man
Till age thirty, of half a century in his craggy face
Surprise, he thought
She puts her hand on the bar
Slow dances where no one touched
@sillylittleboy7791
I keep this on loop it's so good
@gxlaxyeffect
this one is so heavenly I love arca so much man
@vanwagon
A PARTICULAR WORD THAT THEY WOULD PRIORITIZE
@barbarahernandez4166
ok arca
@juanpablomartinez7135
Loveee it, can you publish the part of @@@@@ with the metal beats, style plz
@fedraspiga
in the original song, here on youtube, you can find the timestamps in the comments. sorry for being three years late lmao
@valentinovigovv
Please just upload all the songs at this point lol