"If there’s sadness in the way we use memory, it’s because the time you’re focusing on has gone forever. I guess it’s a theme we play on a lot, that bittersweet thing where you face up to the fact that certain chapters of your life are just Polaroids now."
Also explaining with Clash:
"We’re not trying to accurately pastiche the past; it’s about inventing a past that didn’t really happen"
- Bismvth via Genius
Music Is Math
Boards of Canada Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yellow ball
Yellow ball
Yellow ball
The past inside the present
Yellow ball
Yellow ball
Be careful
The lyrics of Boards of Canada's song Music Is Math are sparse and repetitive, yet deeply contemplative and thought-provoking. The first line, "The past inside the present," suggests that the present is not just a moment in time but rather a culmination of all that has come before it. The idea that the past is present in our lives is not a new one, but Boards of Canada emphasizes its importance in shaping our understanding of the world around us.
The repetition of "Yellow ball" seems nonsensical at first, but upon closer examination, it could represent the cyclical nature of time. The yellow ball could be the sun rising and setting each day, a symbol of the passage of time. Additionally, the color yellow is often associated with happiness and positivity, reminding us to appreciate the good things in life.
The final line, "Be careful," is a warning to be mindful of our actions and their consequences. It's a cautionary reminder that our present actions have the power to shape our future, and we must be careful to make choices that are in our best interests and the interests of those around us.
Overall, Music Is Math is a song that challenges us to think about the nature of time and our place in it. Through its repetitive lyrics and haunting melody, it inspires us to be mindful of the past and the present in order to make the most of our future.
Line by Line Meaning
The past inside the present
Memories and experiences from the past influence and shape the present.
Yellow ball
A representation of a single moment or memory.
Yellow ball
A symbol for the passage of time and the transient nature of existence.
Yellow ball
An acknowledgement of the complexity and beauty of life.
The past inside the present
A reminder that our past influences our present and shapes our future.
Yellow ball
An appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of the present moment.
Yellow ball
An acknowledgement of the fleeting nature of existence and the importance of enjoying the present.
Yellow ball
An encouragement to savor the small moments in life.
Be careful
A warning to be mindful of our actions and choices, as they can have far-reaching consequences on our present and future.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: MARCUS SANDISON, MICHAEL SANDISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank Schrodinger
This song makes me nostalgic...i remember hearing it at the age of 14 when it first came out around 2002. I was lying in bed with my headphones on listening to bbc radio 5. When the song ended and the DJ mentioned the song's name, I had to get up (at 1 in the morning) to write it down in case I forgot it. So i grabbed a pen and in frustration at not being able to find any paper to write on, I just scrawled "Music Is Math'' on my bedroom wall like some nutter in a mental asylum.
Caleb Pitkethley
Funny that I'm a nutter listening to this track from inside the scrawled walls of the ward.
Yet another full circle
Salvador Fuentes
@Its ExcelSan wow now we're both 22
Dusk
Song feels like a time portal to many decades - the passsst insiddeeee the pressenttt
James_hall
@Conor Morrison so now you’re legal drinking age?
diemonds
@Conor Morrison damn bro I’m 14 now and you’re 20, that’s crazyyy
Emirhan Altun
Scrim is pure talent
Mika Schamitz
@John F Kennedy Do you, John?
𝕾𝖙𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖒𝖒
@MUSCLEcarMANIAC69 Scrim has mad talent, people just dont know shit...
MUSCLEcarMANIAC69
@Cipher people are salty that this shit song got used as a sample and is better than the original.