E-Bow The Letter
B.R.A.K.E. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Look up and what do you see? All of you and all of me
Fluorescent and starry, some of them, they surprise
The bus ride, I went to write this, 4:00 a.m, this letter
Fields of poppies, little pearls, all the boys and all the girls
Sweet-toothed, each and every one a little scary
I said your name, I wore it like a badge of teenage film stars
Hash bars, cherry mash and tinfoil tiaras
Dreaming of Maria Callas, whoever she is
This fame thing, I don't get it
I wrap my hand in plastic to try to look through it
Maybelline eyes and girl-as-boy moves
I can take you far, this star thing, I don't get it

(I'll take you over there)
(I'll take you over there)
Aluminum tastes like fear
Adrenaline, it pulls us near
(I'll take you over there)
It tastes like fear
(I'll take you over)

Will you live to eighty-three? Will you ever welcome me?
Will you show me something that nobody else has seen?
Smoke it, drink, here comes the flood, anything to thin the blood
These corrosives do their magic slowly and sweet
Phone, eat it, drink, just another chink
Cuts and dents, they catch the light
Aluminum, the weakest link
I don't want to disappoint you, I'm not here to anoint you
I would lick your feet, but is that the sickest move?
I wear my own crown of sadness and sorrow
And who'd have thought tomorrow would be so strange?
My loss, and here we go again

(I'll take you over there)
(I'll take you over there)
Aluminum tastes like fear
Adrenaline, it pulls us near
(I'll take you over there)
It tastes like fear, pulls us near
(I'll take you over)

Look up and what do you see?
All of you and all of me, florescent and starry
And some of them, they surprise
I can't look it in the eyes, Seconal, Spanish fly, absinthe, kerosene
Cherry-flavored neck and collar
I can smell the sorrow on your breath
The sweat, the victory and sorrow, the smell of fear
I got it

(I'll take you over there)
Aluminum tastes like fear
Adrenaline, it pulls us near
(I'll take you over, take you there)
Aluminum, tastes like fear
Adrenaline, it pulls us near
(I'll take you over, take you there)
It tastes like fear, pulls us near
(I'll take you over, take you there)
It tastes like fear, pulls us near

Pulls us near
It tastes like fear
Tastes like fear
Pulls us near
Pulls us near
Near, near
Over, over, over, over
Over, over, over, yeah
I'll take you over
I'll take you over, I'll take you there
Oh, over
I'll take you there
Over, baby
I'll take you over
There, there




I'll take you there
There, baby

Overall Meaning

The song E-Bow The Letter by B.R.A.K.E. features lyrics that require a keen interpretation to fully understand its meaning. The song begins with the line, "Look up and what do you see? All of you and all of me fluorescent and starry, some of them, they surprise." With this, the listeners can perceive the song as an exploration of identity and a reflection on the continuity of relationships over time. The fluorescent and starry imagery may symbolize the beauty and uniqueness of every individual, while the surprise refers to the unexpected twists and turns that every person's life takes.


The next verse features the line "This fame thing, I don't get it. I wrap my hand in plastic to try to look through it." Here, the artist may be suggesting that fame is an artificial construct, and it can distort reality. The "Maybelline eyes and girl-as-boy moves" could be a reference to the gender fluidity that is increasingly being celebrated in modern culture. The chorus repeats the line "Aluminum tastes like fear. Adrenaline pulls us near," which may represent the strength of emotions that draw people towards each other.


As for the other parts of the song, the line "Smoke it, drink, here comes the flood, anything to thin the blood" could signify a sense of desperation to escape from one's problems. The artist's willingness to humble themselves by saying "I would lick your feet, but is that the sickest move?" shows that they are not there to flatter anyone, but to express themselves truthfully. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "I'll take you over there," which could represent a promise to bring the listener to a better place, whether that is a physical or metaphorical location.


Line by Line Meaning

Look up and what do you see? All of you and all of me
Reflecting on the stars and the people around us


Fluorescent and starry, some of them, they surprise
The beauty of the night sky and the people around us often hold surprises


The bus ride, I went to write this, 4:00 a.m, this letter
Writing a letter on a late-night bus ride


Fields of poppies, little pearls, all the boys and all the girls
The world around us is beautiful, like fields of poppies and pearls


Sweet-toothed, each and every one a little scary
People can be both attractive and intimidating


I said your name, I wore it like a badge of teenage film stars
Talking about a crush in a way that seems like something out of a movie


Hash bars, cherry mash and tinfoil tiaras
Rebellious or youth-oriented activities


Dreaming of Maria Callas, whoever she is
Dreaming of a distant or unknown figure


This fame thing, I don't get it
Unclear about what it means to be famous


I wrap my hand in plastic to try to look through it
Trying to see the world differently, perhaps through a new lens or perspective


Maybelline eyes and girl-as-boy moves
Playing with gender presentation and identity


I can take you far, this star thing, I don't get it
Capable of taking others with them on a journey, but doesn't fully understand the idea of stardom


Aluminum tastes like fear
Associating the taste of aluminum with feelings of fear


Adrenaline, it pulls us near
The rush of adrenaline brings us closer to danger or excitement


Will you live to eighty-three? Will you ever welcome me?
Speculating about the future with someone else


Will you show me something that nobody else has seen?
Curious about seeing something new or different


Smoke it, drink, here comes the flood, anything to thin the blood
Engaging in self-destructive behavior to cope with emotions


These corrosives do their magic slowly and sweet
Addictive or harmful substances work their way into our lives and change us slowly


Phone, eat it, drink, just another chink
Talking about everyday or habitual activities


Cuts and dents, they catch the light
Our imperfections and experiences can be beautiful or remarkable


Aluminum, the weakest link
Seeing aluminum as weak or fragile


I don't want to disappoint you, I'm not here to anoint you
Not wanting to let someone down, but also not trying to place them on a pedestal


I would lick your feet, but is that the sickest move?
Joking or being flippant about something that might be taboo or strange


I wear my own crown of sadness and sorrow
Carrying one's own burden of grief or hardship


And who'd have thought tomorrow would be so strange?
Unclear about what the future holds


My loss, and here we go again
Starting anew after experiencing a loss or setback


Cherry-flavored neck and collar
Suggestive or sensual language


I can smell the sorrow on your breath
Picking up on someone else's sadness or grief


The sweat, the victory and sorrow, the smell of fear
The different emotions and sensations that come with struggle or conflict


I'll take you over there
Offering to bring someone with them to a different place or state of mind


Pulls us near
Brings us closer or draws us in


Near, near
Emphasizing the closeness or proximity of something


Over, over, over, over
Repetition for emphasis or emphasis on moving forward


I'll take you over
Offering to guide someone to a different place, state of mind or experience


There, baby
Encouraging someone to experience something new or different




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Tom Lute

I love Mike and Thom's friendship. Great performance of a great song!

Lachlan McLeod

Rem is an amazing band, my dad got me into this band, I'm 15 and adore this band my fav song is man on the moon

Meg L

Your Dad raised you right. I was 13 when I got into R.E.M. (I’m 37 now). Keep listening!

Alex Hanga

Meg L  I was lucky enough to be a college radio DJ when they released their second album, and I was hooked and the remain in my top five to this day!!! Radiohead is also in that top five by the way!!!

taliwakka27

I think daysleeper and the sidewinder sleeps tonight are their best. I don't know their whole catalogue though

Meg L

Alex Hanga I wasn’t even born until one year after they formed, but as soon as I heard them for the first time they became my #1 and have maintained that position since! I wish I had been lucky enough to hear them earlier, but what can you do about the time you’re born? 😄

Alex Hanga

Meg L  I was very lucky. I saw them three times!!!! Once when they were so new they played a tiny place where I presently live and my best friend and I snuck up from our reserved seats to the stage and sang into Michael's microphone on Don't Go Back To Rockville! Unfortunately my best friend is tone deaf, I recall Michael snatching the mic back!

2 More Replies...

Michael Angeles

If you guys like this version I HIGHLY recommend looking up the Tibetan Freedom Concert version they sung in 1998. It's on YouTube and Thom Yorke has never sung much better. Please go watch it

Shai Alaluf

Thom nailed it!

Michael Angeles

Shai Alaluf Right?! I get goosebumps.

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