Pitchfork labeled Deerhoof as "the best band in the world.” The New York Times described them as “one of the most original rock bands to have come along in the last decade.” From their humble beginnings as an obscure San Francisco noise act, they've become one of indie music's most influential bands with their ecstatic and unruly take on pop.
http://www.deerhoof.net
http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/deerhoof
+81
Deerhoof Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uptown
And all the cell-phone talkers need chit-chat
The people, people from the side to side
Uptown
Get louder, closer, next to neon lights
Beach on tops circle tread on my tar
Get out and pass the muster, neon lights
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
Choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
Choo choo choo choo, choo choo choo choo choo choo
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
She from Japan, in st-a-ge
Pagodas, kimonos, cars
The building from the side to side
So many many people trying hard to climb
Over the floor
High up above the one
Careful with your words
Sight high towers
Cars are coming down
Cars are coming back down
Shopping shopping shoppers
Crash crash town
Train'when you won't look down
When you won't look down
Shopping shoppers
Cars are coming up
Cars are coming up
Cars come now
She from Japan, in st-a-ge
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
Choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
Choo choo choo choo, choo choo choo choo choo choo
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
The lyrics of Deerhoof's "+81" paint a picture of a bustling city, specifically uptown, where there is a constant hum of noise from people talking on their cellphones and the sound of traffic. The building stands tall from side to side, and there are many people trying hard to climb over the floor high up above the one. The lyrics suggest that in this urban landscape, people are distracted by material things, such as shopping and cars.
The passage "She from Japan, in st-a-ge, Pagodas, kimonos, cars" could be interpreted as a nod to Japan's modern and traditional elements existing side by side. The song's title "+81" is the international dialing code for Japan, adding weight to the interpretation that the lyrics are referencing this country. The phrase "train when you won't look down" could be interpreted as an instruction to keep moving forward and not to look back or dwell on past mistakes.
The chorus, with its repetitive "choo choo beep beep" sounds, adds to the imagery of the city being like a noisy train moving forward. Overall, the lyrics of "+81" create a vivid and chaotic depiction of a modern city and the impact it has on its inhabitants.
Line by Line Meaning
The building, building from the side to side
The structure, extending from one end to the other
Uptown
In the northern part of the city
And all the cell-phone talkers need chit-chat
Everyone using their mobile device wants to engage in small talk
The people, people from the side to side
Every individual, from one edge to the other
Uptown
In the northern part of the city
Get louder, closer, next to neon lights
Becoming louder and closer to the colorful lights
Beach on tops circle tread on my tar
A gathering of people, walking on the street
Get out and pass the muster, neon lights
Come outside and pass the test, neon lights
Beach on tops circle tread on my tar
A gathering of people, walking on the street
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
The sound of a train whistle and signal
Choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo
The sound of a train whistle and signal
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
The sound of a train whistle and signal
Choo choo choo choo, choo choo choo choo choo choo
The sound of a train whistle and signal
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
The sound of a train whistle and signal
She from Japan, in st-a-ge
A woman from Japan, on stage
Pagodas, kimonos, cars
Buildings with curved roofs, traditional Japanese clothing, and automobiles
The building from the side to side
The structure, extending from one end to the other
So many many people trying hard to climb
A lot of individuals, endeavoring to ascend
Over the floor
Across the surface
High up above the one
Far above the substrate
Careful with your words
Be mindful of what you say
Sight high towers
See the tall structures
Cars are coming down
Automobiles are descending
Cars are coming back down
Automobiles are descending once again
Shopping shopping shoppers
People shopping for various products
Crash crash town
A clamorous city
Train'when you won't look down
Train, only if you refuse to look down
When you won't look down
If you don't look downwards
Shopping shoppers
Shoppers buying various items
Cars are coming up
Automobiles are ascending
Cars are coming up
Automobiles are ascending
Cars come now
Automobiles are arriving
She from Japan, in st-a-ge
A woman from Japan, on stage
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
The sound of a train whistle and signal
Choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo
The sound of a train whistle and signal
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
The sound of a train whistle and signal
Choo choo choo choo, choo choo choo choo choo choo
The sound of a train whistle and signal
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
The sound of a train whistle and signal
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: GREG SAUNIER, JOHN DIETERICH, SATOMI MATSUZAKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Puffpuffaye
mannn it's been so long. i loved deerhoof.
@Starfirahs
I love this album, especially this song!!!!!! Brings back sooooo many memories <3 <3
@andytallman101
Why the past tense? They're still making great music :) Their 2011 album 'Deerhoof vs Evil' is a great one, and it's quite poppy so it should satisfy fans of 'Friend Opportunity'. The latest one, 'Breakup Songs' is more challenging but still worth a listen.
@noneofyoucanspell
CHOO choo-choo-choo beep beep, CHOO choo-choo choo-choo BEEP BEEP
@MelanieBush1989
best deerhoof album!
@TheNutCase657
wtf is this song and why can't I stop listening to it
@Sapsche
Perfect song for a budgerigar.
@adamlars4338
Nope sir, I just don't like it. Sorry folks, her voice is annoying!
@IlNyaPasdOrchestre
+Adam Lars May you find your own thrill :)