Idea For A Story
Bloc Party Lyrics


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Lucean,
I'm so tired of flesh and blood
My lord has grown so vile
Shamefulness descends upon the shoulders
Kicking the corpse until the fun wears off

Bleeding septums and S41
Talking needs to the sun comes up
Rich boys they just need a hand or hand down
From papa

Wouldn't it be too divine
With a start, middle and an end
Wouldn't it be too divine
If we could see a way out

Wouldn't it be too divine
With a start, middle and an end
Wouldn't it be too divine
If we could see a way out

There's a blizzard in the after hours bars
Raining my way down the strand
Who are these fags in the red bow ties
ruining it for the rest of us

Self content for the young, the younger beset
that history will always eat itself
Rich boys they just need a hand
or a good old fashioned war

Wouldn't it be too divine
With a start, middle and an end
Wouldn't it be too divine
If we could see a way out

Wouldn't it be too divine
With a start, middle and an end




Wouldn't it be too divine
If we could see a way out

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bloc Party's "Idea For A Story" depict a weary and disillusioned narrator who is fed up with the mundane reality of human existence. The mention of Lucean, possibly referring to the writer Lucian of Samosata, sets the tone for a discussion on the potential of literature to transcend the limitations of the world. The singer expresses dissatisfaction with the flesh and blood reality, which has become repugnant to them. The reference to kicking a corpse until the fun wears off tends to suggest that the singer is tired of feeling dead inside, and has lost enthusiasm for anything that doesn't seem to offer the possibility of transcendence.


The second verse sees a shift towards a conversation on social and economic disparities, with mention of "rich boys" who just need a handout from their fathers to get ahead, and the stark contrast to those who have to talk "needs until the sun comes up." The lyrics also bring up the idea of privilege and how we are all accountable for the systems of oppression that exist within society. The final verse is more cynical in tone, with the mention of a blizzard and the downfall of nightlife culture, and the mention of "self-content for the young" that history will always repeat itself. The song closes with the poignant question of whether it would be divine to see a way out of our predicament.


Line by Line Meaning

Lucean,
Addressing someone named Lucean


I'm so tired of flesh and blood
Tired of mortal beings and their limitations


My lord has grown so vile
Feeling disappointment in a higher power


Shamefulness descends upon the shoulders
Feeling ashamed


Kicking the corpse until the fun wears off
Continuing harmful actions until they lose enjoyment


Bleeding septums and S41
Referring to drug use and a specific drug


Talking needs to the sun comes up
Having conversations until dawn


Rich boys they just need a hand or hand down
Wealthy people looking for easy assistance


From papa
Referring to their father


Wouldn't it be too divine
Expressing a desire for something wonderful


With a start, middle and an end
Having a clear structure


If we could see a way out
Wishing for a solution to problems


There's a blizzard in the after hours bars
Describing a chaotic environment


Raining my way down the strand
Walking in the rain by the beach


Who are these fags in the red bow ties
Questioning the identity of people in formal wear


Ruining it for the rest of us
Being a negative influence on others


Self content for the young, the younger beset
Being satisfied without looking for external validation


That history will always eat itself
Recognizing cycles of past events repeating


Rich boys they just need a hand
Wealthy people seeking easy solutions


Or a good old fashioned war
Suggesting war as a quick solution


Wouldn't it be too divine
Repeating the desire for something wonderful


With a start, middle and an end
Reiterating the need for structure


If we could see a way out
Repeating the wish for a solution


Wouldn't it be too divine
Repeating the desire for something wonderful


With a start, middle and an end
Reiterating the need for structure


If we could see a way out
Repeating the wish for a solution




Contributed by Jeremiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Leo Nardo

This has so much potential... really wish they refined it for the album.

sarah x

wow this is amazing, i love bloc party so much. why do they only have 1120 views? seriously?

Dran Tol

excellent. I will finish a techno set with this someday.. and it will be righteous :)

mine user

Yo where it at B??

joe403s

yo it's been 5 years, you done yet?

Shane Flanagan

Still Amazing!

tonyttt31

So much better than some of the tracks on Intimacy (a great album)

Pushkin

Pretty great.

Rob Weir

suuuchhh an amazing song

Rob Weir

a year and im still the only comment.

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