Capacity
Big Thief Lyrics
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Flowered with consonance
That's what I'll follow
Forever
I am a beautiful bird
Fluttered and floating
Swollen and hollowed
For heaven
Do what you want with me
Lost in your captivity
Learning capacity
For make-believing everything
Is really hanging on
Slipping away from the party
Totally vacant
Everyone gone from their bodies
You were outside kissing another
She was a friend of mine
I was surprised to discover
I wrapped my arms around her
She was a beautiful figure
There are no enemies
We're make-believing everything
Is really hanging on
There is a castle that stands
High in the canyon
The blue knights are crying together
A child is holding my hand
She is directing, the red crystal pine with a feather
Do what you want with me
Lost in your captivity
Learning capacity
For make-believing everything
Is really hanging on
Really hanging on
Really hanging on
The opening line of "Flight is a beautiful word, flowered with consonance" holds a lot of significance in the song as it sets up the theme of freedom and escape. Flight is often associated with the idea of escape, both literally and metaphorically, and the alliteration in "flowered with consonance" emphasizes the beauty of the concept. The idea of following flight forever implies a pursuit of freedom and a desire to escape from something in the present. The lines "I am a beautiful bird, fluttered and floating, swollen and hollowed, for heaven" further emphasizes the desire for escape as the bird here is both beautiful and hollow, implying a desire to fill something missing through flight. The use of "swollen" could also refer to being weighed down by something, while floating implies the desire to rise above it.
The chorus of the song has a sense of resignation as the character is "lost in your captivity", being held captive by someone or something they want to be with but cannot escape from. This captivity could be emotional or physical, the specifics are left ambiguous. The lines "Learning capacity, for make-believing everything is really hanging on" refers to the capacity to believe in something that might not be true, to make-believe that things are fine even when they're not. This capacity allows the character to continue to stay in captivity, with the belief that things will eventually get better.
The verses that follow the chorus describe a scene at a party, where the character witnesses someone they care about kissing someone else. "Slipping away from the party, totally vacant, everyone gone from their bodies" paints a picture of the main character feeling disconnected from everything around them, observing it all from a distance. The lines "There are no enemies, we're make-believing everything is really hanging on" implies a sense of denial and pretending that everything is alright, even when faced with an unpleasant truth. The last verse of the song introduces the image of a castle standing high in the canyon and a child holding the main character's hand. The child is directing the red crystal pine with a feather, which could represent the desire to guide and direct something towards a better future. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and the implication that the character is holding on, rather than escaping.
Line by Line Meaning
Flight is a beautiful word
The concept of flight is inherently pleasant and has a pleasing sound when spoken aloud.
Flowered with consonance
The word 'flight' has a nice combination of sounds thanks to the repeated 'f' and 'l' sounds.
That's what I'll follow
The singer plans to pursue the idea of flight or escape, even if it's just aspirational.
Forever
The artist is committed to this ideal of flight or escape for the long term.
I am a beautiful bird
The artist characterizes themselves as a bird, perhaps because of the freedom and lightness associated with flying.
Fluttered and floating
The bird image continues with these words, which suggest a gentle, easy movement.
Swollen and hollowed
These contrasting words make us think of something that's simultaneously full and empty, or perhaps just a pair of opposites.
For heaven
The artist's bird-like qualities are associated with or in pursuit of a joyful, blissful state.
Do what you want with me
The artist is willing to be controlled or influenced by someone else.
Lost in your captivity
The artist is already under someone's control or influence to some extent.
Learning capacity
The singer is still figuring out how to deal with or adapt to this situation.
For make-believing everything
The artist feels like they're living in an unreal fantasy world where they need to play along with whatever's happening around them.
Is really hanging on
The reality of the situation or the singer's own life is precarious or unstable and depends on everyone keeping up the illusion.
Slipping away from the party
The singer is trying to leave a social gathering or some sort of gathering, maybe to get away from their current situation or emotions.
Totally vacant
The singer is feeling empty or disconnected in some way (either physically or emotionally).
Everyone gone from their bodies
The other people have maybe become depersonalized or disconnected from themselves as well.
You were outside kissing another
The artist's partner or love interest was cheating on them.
She was a friend of mine
The person the partner was cheating with was someone the singer knew previously and perhaps trusted.
I was surprised to discover
The singer is describing their own emotional reaction to the infidelity.
I wrapped my arms around her
The artist embraces the friend who was also cheated on or wronged.
She was a beautiful figure
The artist finds solace in appreciating the beauty of life and the people around them, even in moments of betrayal and disappointment.
There are no enemies
The artist views life as something to be experienced, not something to be combated or controlled.
The blue knights are crying together
Perhaps a reference to sadness, loss or mourning
A child is holding my hand
The artist finds solace in the innocence and simplicity of childhood and is perhaps reminded to let go of some problems that are weighing them down.
She is directing, the red crystal pine with a feather
This line doesn't provide a lot of context, but it suggests that the child the singer is with is imaginative, playful and full of wonder.
Really hanging on
The precarious nature of life persists, but the singer is still holding on and trying to find beauty and meaning where they can.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Adrianne Lenker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Duan Torruellas
This is a masterpiece. The music here is written in a way were you cant get tried of it because its chord changes are not noticeably repetitive , the voice is of a young child with an old soul. This doesn't even come close to explaining why this is so good. But yeah its awesome how its done.
Vance Stephens
I've been stunned. Thank you big thief for making music.
Vance Stephens
And thanks for your unsolicited response, douche
HotPocket McGriddles
This is not music. This is simply garbage. Words cannot describe how awful this excuse for a song is. This makes me want to throw up into my own mouth.
Duan Torruellas
The lyrics and phrasing in big theifs capacity and UFOF are to me the best work on this album. I love the whole album btw.
Louise Devlin
Outstanding, on so many levels.
modarXmodar
Amazing I fell in love with this song!
It's gonna be just like "Paul" from their previous album, I'll play it hundreds of times
Mauro De Giorgi
Awesome. Raw, powerful, fragile, mesmerizing
perfectlyadaptable
Can't wait for the album! Thankfully I don't have to wait much longer. Really enjoying the songs so far.
Kevin Brosky
It's out today!