Napoleon Solo
At the Drive-In Lyrics
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Were you sitting down
On the beaded impotence of New Orleans
A hint of suspense when that telephone rings
This is forever
It paved a wave of distance
Between a syntax error
This is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This you know, this you know this is forever
March 23rd hushed the wind the music died
If you can't get the best of us now
It's because this forever
Makes no difference our alphabet
Is missing letters
17 embalmed and caskets lowered
Into the weather
A drizzle brisk and profound
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This is forever
We're struck by the chords from their hearts
This is forever this is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
You know that this is forever
The lyrics to At the Drive-In's song Napoleon Solo contain a mixture of surreal imagery and political commentary. The opening lines ("Cut and paste, Were you sitting down, On the beaded impotence of New Orleans") suggest a sense of dislocation and disorientation, as if the singer is struggling to find their place in the world. The reference to "beaded impotence" may be a metaphor for the sense of powerlessness that many people feel in the face of large-scale events and social structures.
The following lines ("A hint of suspense when that telephone rings, This is forever") suggest a sense of impending danger or crisis. The idea of "forever" recurs throughout the song, like a mantra or anchor in the face of chaos. The lines "From this Texas breath, Exhaled no sign of relief" further emphasize the tension and uncertainty of the moment.
The song also references the tragic deaths of musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson in a plane crash on March 23, 1959 ("March 23rd hushed the wind the music died"). The line "17 embalmed and caskets lowered, Into the weather, A drizzle brisk and profound" may be a reference to the funeral procession for the musicians.
Overall, Napoleon Solo is a politically charged and emotionally stirring piece of music that touches on themes of mortality, powerlessness, and the enduring struggles of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Cut and paste
The song begins with this line as a way to start a conversation.
Were you sitting down
The singer wants to know if the listener was paying attention and ready to listen.
On the beaded impotence of New Orleans
The singer is describing New Orleans as weak and powerless.
A hint of suspense when that telephone rings
The artist is suggesting that something important or alarming is about to happen.
This is forever
The phrase is repeated throughout the song to signify the weight and permanence of the events being described.
It paved a wave of distance
Something happened that created a significant separation between people or groups.
Between a syntax error
The separation is due to a mistake or miscommunication.
From Austin's yellow brick road
The mistake happened in Austin, Texas.
From this Texas breath
The artist is emphasizing that this event is related to Texas and its people.
Exhaled no sign of relief
Despite the tension and sadness, there is no sense of relief or resolution yet.
This you know, this you know this is forever
The singer is reminding the listener that the situation is permanent and significant.
March 23rd hushed the wind the music died
The exact date of a tragic event is being referenced, and it felt like the world stopped in that moment.
If you can't get the best of us now
Despite the tragedy, people will not be defeated or weakened.
It's because this forever
The event is so significant that it has a lasting impact on those affected.
Makes no difference our alphabet
People's differences or divisions are irrelevant in the face of such tragedy.
Is missing letters
The artist is using a metaphor to illustrate that people are incomplete without those who were lost.
17 embalmed and caskets lowered
A specific number of people died and were given funerals.
Into the weather
The weather was bad during the funeral, emphasizing the sadness and grief of the occasion.
A drizzle brisk and profound
A description of the weather, used to create a certain mood.
We're struck by the chords from their hearts
The music is deeply emotional and meaningful because it comes from the musicians' hearts.
You know that this is forever
The phrase is repeated at the end of the song as a reminder of the weight of the tragedy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CEDRIC BIXLER, JIM WARD, OMAR RODRIGUEZ, PABLO HINOJOS, TONY HAJJAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ingrid Sharp
Cut and paste
Were you sitting down
On the beaded impotence of New Orleans
A hint of suspense when that telephone rings
This is forever
It paved a wave of distance
Between a syntax error
From Austin's yellow brick road
This is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This you know, this you know this is forever
March 23rd hushed the wind the music died
If you can't get the best of us now
It's because this forever
Makes no difference our alphabet
Is missing letters
17 embalmed and caskets lowered
Into the weather
A drizzle brisk and profound
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This is forever
We're struck by the chords from their hearts
This is forever this is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
You know that this is forever
MyOwnGravity
Just gonna put this here....
Cut and paste
Were you sitting down
On the beaded impotence of New Orleans
A hint of suspense when that telephone rings
This is forever
It paved a wave of distance
Between a syntax error
From Austin's yellow brick road
This is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This you know, this you know this is forever
March 23rd hushed the wind the music died
If you can't get the best of us now
It's because this forever
Makes no difference our alphabet
Is missing letters
17 embalmed and caskets lowered
Into the weather
A drizzle brisk and profound
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This is forever
We're struck by the chords from their hearts
This is forever this is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
You know that this is forever
ibette
This song is about two band mates of Cedric, Laura Beard and Sarah Reiser (one of them being his ex). They went to Austin on a road trip and on the way back they had a bad car accident , both died March 23rd. They were 17 years old and they have been accredited in helping to build and restore El Paso's punk scene in the mid 90s. They were also really close friends with Cedric and even participated in early ATD-I songs like "Ludvico Drive In".
Omar Rojas
Thank you!! I love so fucking much this song.
Greetings from Argentina! 😀
algorithm go brrrrr
Here 12 years later, thankful this is top comment.
Jeremy Preston
This comment, much like that hint of suspense when the telephone rings, is forever
crimson5111
I'm 38.
I saw them at 15.
It's 2020.
Best band ever.
Patrick Simpson
I was 16 in 96 and saw them play on a tennis court in Austin. I knew then.
TheOwlBear
Lost my father on March 23rd, always found this song beautiful. Found it quite poetic the coincidence.
Ted The Human
His lyrics are off the charts, love this guys writing style .
Yaël F. L. Girard
yes
Slum Dumpster
Grew up in El Paso and was acquainted with Sarah and Laura and their bands Rope, Glitter Girls, The Fall on Deaf Ears and their acoustic project they worked on as a duo shortly before their deaths. Once saw Drive-In perform at 924 Gilman and caught up with the guys. The last song they played was this one and Cedric sang the last chorus as "This is for Laura," and "This is for Sarah!" Heartbreaking.