(4/4/08): {The} process of dialogue between the original intent of the songs and how listeners perceive them is something of great joy to them. A listener once heard, “I want to picture the nature” instead of “I want your picture but not your words” in the song ‘Master of None’, Victoria recalls. It’s “a happy mistake,” she says, that sometimes when you think you are hearing something correctly (even though you’re not) this can be when you hear it best. Mondegreens {mishearings of song lyrics} are funny and Victoria is now chuckling down the phone. I get the impression that as long as the words have some positive meaning to Beach House listeners then that’s really all that matters to them. ~ Victoria, Cyclic Defrost
(10/20/15): Is that an omnichord at the beginning of Master of None? “Vibraphone sound!” ~ Reddit
(6/27/18): Why does Victoria always ask ‘where the ladies at’ before playing Master of None live? “For me it was always a natural moment in the set to acknowledge all the women and girls out there, I've only said it because I care.” ~ Victoria, Reddit
Master of None
Beach House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To pluck the feathers off all the birds
On your knees
I would not beg you please
I want your picture but not your words
You know they'd want it
But there's no first
You cannot call it your home
We always wrung our hands too much
We know the reasons, but such and such
On your own
You will not catch your own bone
We run our fingers together
You know it's easy
The devil's plan
On your own
You can not call me your own
Jack of all trades
Master of none
Cry all the time
'Cause I'm not having fun
You always want to be forgiven
The devil does what you ask of him
On your knees
You cannot
You are not for free
The lyrics to Beach House's song "Master of None" describe the emotions of a person who is struggling with their identity and relationship with others. The first lines "You always go to the parties, to pluck the feathers off all the birds" suggest that the person is trying to fit in and maybe even dominate within their social circle, using others to validate themselves. However, the following lyric "On your knees I would not beg you please" indicates that the person is not entirely comfortable with their actions and the validation they crave. They desire recognition for their image rather than their words, hinting at a lack of deeper connection with those around them.
As the song progresses, the lyrics imply that the person has a sense of detachment and they are not at home in their environment. "We always wrung our hands too much, we know the reasons, but such and such" could suggest that they have struggled with internal conflicts and anxieties. The line "On your own, you cannot catch your own bone" may imply that they feel like they are incapable or ineffective at achieving their goals. The chorus, "Jack of all trades, master of none, cry all the time 'cause I'm not having fun" further emphasizes their lack of accomplishment and the feeling that they are not fulfilled or satisfied with their situation. Overall, the song presents a conflicted character who is trying to find significance and purpose in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
You always go to the parties
You frequently attend social events
To pluck the feathers off all the birds
You have a tendency to criticize and demean others
On your knees
You are in a situation of submission or begging
I would not beg you please
I refuse to plead or supplicate to you
I want your picture but not your words
I am interested in your physical appearance, but not your words or opinions
You know they'd want it
You are aware that others desire what you possess
But there's no first
There is no indicator of priority or rank
On your own
You are by yourself or independent
You cannot call it your home
You do not have a sense of belonging or ownership
We always wrung our hands too much
We worried excessively or needlessly
We know the reasons, but such and such
We are aware of the causes, but have no specific examples or details
On your own
You are alone or independent
You will not catch your own bone
You will not achieve personal satisfaction or success
We run our fingers together
We are physically intimate or affectionate
You know it's easy
You are aware that it is simple or effortless
The devil's plan
An evil scheme or intention
On your own
You are by yourself or independent
You can not call me your own
You do not have control or ownership over me
Jack of all trades
You have experience or knowledge in many different areas
Master of none
You are not an expert in any particular subject or skill
Cry all the time
You are constantly emotional or upset
'Cause I'm not having fun
You are not enjoying yourself or having a good time
You always want to be forgiven
You frequently seek forgiveness or absolution
The devil does what you ask of him
You are capable of manipulating or deceiving others for personal gain
On your knees
You are in a position of vulnerability or subservience
You cannot
You are not able to do something
You are not for free
You require something in return for your actions or favors
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Alex Kristian Scally, Victoria Garance Alixe Legrand
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sam-chocolate
You always go to the parties
To pluck the feathers off all the birds
On your knees
I will not beg you please
I want your picture, but not yours
You know they want it
But there's no firsts
On your own
You cannot count your all
We always want our heads too much
We know the reasons but such and such
On your own
You will not let your arm go
We run our fingers together
You know it's easy the devil's plan
On your own
You cannot call me your own
Jack of all trades
Master of none
Crying all the time
Cuz I'm not having fun
You always want to be forgiven
The devil does what you ask of him
On your knees
You cannot, you are not the beast
@gogovicvic6327
You always go to the parties
To pluck the feathers off all the birds
On your knees
I will not beg you please
I want your picture, but not your words
You know they want it
But there's no first
On your own
You cannot call it your all
We always wrung our heads too much
We know the reasons, but such and such
On your own
You will not catch your unknown
We run our fingers together
You know it's easy but devils plan
On your own
You can not call me your all
Jack of all trades
Master of none
Cry all the time
'Cause I'm not having fun
You always want to be forgiven
The devil does what you ask of him
On your knees
But you cannot; you will not agree
@questionister
Lyrics:
You always come to the parties
To pluck the feathers of all the birds
On your knees
I would not beg you please
I want your pictures but not your words
You know they’d want it
But there’s no first
On your own
You cannot call it your home
We always rub our hands too much
We know the reasons but such and such
On your own
You will not catch your own bone
We run our fingers together
You know it’s easy
The devil’s plan
On your own
You cannot call me your own
Jack of all trades
Master of None
…Cry all the time
‘Cause I’m not having fun
You always want to be forgiven
The devil does what you ask of him
On your knees
You cannot
You are not for free
@elpochoXO
Man The Weeknd is a genius of sampling this, but alone it sounds like I could vibe to this for years
@izarramarisol9288
This song is there for me when no one else is.
@eragonandsaphira1843
Gonna make me tear up lol
@thebestjisungista7055
Same for me
@teddygrahamm
Wow this comment just summed up my whole life and I was not ready for it lol, I love it🥺
@victoriajuarez7818
yup
@Profit-Hunterr
👀🫶🏻
@mariahsisneros7572
There's just something beautiful about this song
@kaxaii0180
I know right
@ilovemyself4639
the beat, lyrics n everything