Computer Love Song
Carter Vail Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm barely moving at all
Green lines cut through
A black screen tells you I'm fine
You're Gwyneth Paltrow
I'm Richie Tenenbaum
I cut my hair off
And every summer
It's going to be the same
Going back to Telluride
Riding round with nothing on
Staying at your parents' house
Acting like there's nothing wrong
Going back to Telluride
Sleeping with the TV on
Darling so coledified
Oh, I know it won't be long
Pull my sutures
And climb in I'm warm inside
You'll breath my lungs
I'm florescent and infrared
And I'm yours
Smoke out the window
Listen to CD Roms
You're like a race car
You are a palindrome
And every summer
Will never be the same
Going back to Telluride
Riding round with nothing on
Staying at your parents' house
Acting like there's nothing wrong
Going back to Telluride
Sleeping with the TV on
Darling so coledified
Oh, I know it won't be long
In "Computer Love Song," Carter Vail sings about a long-distance relationship through the lens of technology. The lyrics evoke images of two people trying to connect through a computer screen, but still feeling the distance between them. When Vail sings, "You're still shaking, I'm barely moving at all," it suggests that one person is more invested than the other, or that the technology itself is causing a delay in communication. The "green lines" on the computer screen further emphasize the disconnect, contrasting with the "black" screen that tells the other person everything is fine.
The chorus of the song revolves around the idea of going back to Telluride, where presumably one of the people in the relationship lives. The repetition of the phrase "going back to Telluride" suggests that it's a place of comfort or familiarity for both parties. However, the following lyrics reveal a sense of discomfort or unease - "staying at your parents' house, acting like there's nothing wrong." It seems like there may be underlying issues that the two people are avoiding or trying to ignore.
Throughout the song, the lyrics play with contrasts and associations - Gwyneth Paltrow and Richie Tenenbaum, cutting hair and liking someone "either way," fluorescent and infrared. These juxtapositions add a dream-like quality to the song, emphasizing the sense of un-reality that can come with trying to connect through a computer screen.
Line by Line Meaning
You're still shaking
You're feeling emotional, maybe even nervous or scared
I'm barely moving at all
I'm feeling disconnected or disinterested
Green lines cut through
The computer screen indicating a message or communication
A black screen tells you I'm fine
The lack of communication indicates that everything is okay
You're Gwyneth Paltrow
A reference to someone who is famous and successful
I'm Richie Tenenbaum
A reference to someone who is a misfit or outsider
I cut my hair off
A change in appearance that could symbolize a change in personality or identity
You like me either way
Regardless of the change, you still accept me for who I am
And every summer
A repeating event that happens with regularity
It's going to be the same
The repeating event will not deviate from the norm
Going back to Telluride
A specific location, perhaps with personal significance
Riding round with nothing on
Enjoying the freedom of the moment, without inhibition
Staying at your parents' house
Returning to a familiar and comfortable environment
Acting like there's nothing wrong
Trying to maintain a sense of normalcy or calm, despite underlying issues
Sleeping with the TV on
Finding comfort or distraction through media
Darling so coledified
Expressing a lack of warmth or emotional connection
Oh, I know it won't be long
Anticipating that things will change, either for better or worse
Pull my sutures
A reference to surgery, perhaps indicating that emotional healing is needed
And climb in I'm warm inside
Inviting someone to share intimacy or vulnerability
You'll breath my lungs
A metaphor for sharing life and experiences with someone else
I'm florescent and infrared
A description of intense or vibrant emotion
Smoke out the window
A reference to smoking or perhaps escaping reality
Listen to CD Roms
Finding comfort or nostalgia in old technology
You're like a race car
A comparison to something fast, exciting, and dynamic
You are a palindrome
A reference to something that is symmetrical or balanced
Will never be the same
Even though the event repeats, the experiences and emotions are always unique
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Carter Vail
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind