Driftwood
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Lyrics


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Oh my God, my dog's got hair
Look into the canine eye
The bad breath of a cross-eyed goat
Meeting children for a Monday morning
Laughter in the hangman's eye
Look into his heart so clear
Look into a heart that's right
Can't beat it off, can't beat it off at night
Tomorrow Jeannie and Jackie elope
Moved a memory to strip for tea and smoke

Driftwood blocking up the shore dam
Short dam liquid in the phone line
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Damsel waiting in the long line

Driftwood blocking up the shore dam
Short dam liquid in the phone line
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Damsel waiting in the long line

Driftwood blocking up the short dam

Spiders pass along through the grass
Eating up my pampered eyes
And Dyer's country had a fair
Tokens gathered at the bar
Music on the TV screen
Never really had it all

Driftwood blocking up the short dam
Short dam liquid in the phone line
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Damsel waiting in the long line

Driftwood blocking up the short dam
Short dam driftwood in the landline
Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Damsel waiting in the long line

Driftwood blocking up the short dam




Short dam driftwood in the phone line
Driftwood clogging up the oil well

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Driftwood" by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti seem to be quite nonsensical at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, the bizarre imagery in the song could be interpreted as a commentary on the chaotic and destructive nature of modern society.


The first verse seems to reference the idea of looking beyond superficial appearances and into the true nature of things. The "canine eye" could represent the inner essence of a dog, which is hidden beneath its external appearance. Similarly, the "hangman's eye" could represent the hidden desires and motivations of individuals who hold power over others. The laughter of the hangman in this context could symbolize the dark humor and detachment from morality that is sometimes necessary to maintain power.


The second verse seems to describe the negative consequences of human industry and greed. The image of driftwood blocking up dams and oil wells could represent the ways in which human activity disrupts the natural environment and causes damage to ecosystems. The "damsel waiting in the long line" could represent the innocent victims of this destruction, who are forced to endure the consequences of human negligence and exploitation.


Overall, "Driftwood" is a song that raises thought-provoking questions about the dark and destructive side of human nature, as well as the impact of human industry on the environment.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh my God, my dog's got hair
I am astonished that my dog has hair


Look into the canine eye
Gaze upon the eye of a dog


The bad breath of a cross-eyed goat
The unpleasant smell emitted from a goat with crossed eyes


Meeting children for a Monday morning
Encounter with kids on a Monday morning


Laughter in the hangman's eye
Humor seen in the eyes of an executioner


Look into his heart so clear
Examine his clear heart


Look into a heart that's right
Observe a heart that is moral


Can't beat it off, can't beat it off at night
Unable to get rid of something, specifically at night


Tomorrow Jeannie and Jackie elope
Jeannie and Jackie run off together tomorrow


Moved a memory to strip for tea and smoke
A memory was evoked to undress for tea and smoking


Driftwood blocking up the shore dam
Driftwood is preventing water flow at the beach dam


Short dam liquid in the phone line
A small amount of fluid in the phone line causing issues


Driftwood clogging up the oil well
Driftwood is obstructing oil flow at the well


Damsel waiting in the long line
A woman is waiting in a long line


Spiders pass along through the grass
Spiders are moving through the grass


Eating up my pampered eyes
My eyes are being consumed by something pleasurable


And Dyer's country had a fair
There was a festival in Dyer's country


Tokens gathered at the bar
Coins collected at a bar


Music on the TV screen
There is music on the TV


Never really had it all
I never truly had everything




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ARIEL ROSENBERG, JOE KENNEDY, KENNETH GILMORE, TIM KOH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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