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
Plus 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 song Plus 81 paint a vivid picture of the hustle and bustle of a city, Uptown. The building, from the side to side, is a representation of the towering skyscrapers that line the city streets. The incessant chatter of cell phone users adds to the frenzied atmosphere of the city. As the people move closer to the neon lights, the energy and noise level increase. The phrase "beach on tops circle tread on my tar" seems to describe the throngs of people trampling on the concrete sidewalks beneath the towering buildings.
The sound of a train is introduced in the lyrics with "choo choo choo choo beep beep." The sights and sounds of the city are overwhelming as described by "so many many people trying hard to climb over the floor high up above the one." The singer urges us to be "careful with your words." The phrase "sight high towers" reinforces the image of the towering structures in the city. It seems as if the city is alive and moving as the cars come down and back up again. The lyrics are a commentary on the commercialism and consumerism of modern society as described by the incessant "shopping shopping shoppers" and the repeated "cars are coming up." The woman from Japan represents the influence of globalization and the integration of cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
The building, building from the side to side
The building is expanding horizontally.
Uptown
The location is in an urban area.
And all the cell-phone talkers need chit-chat
The people using their phones are engaging in small talk.
The people, people from the side to side
Many individuals occupy the space from side to side.
Uptown
The location is in an urban area.
Get louder, closer, next to neon lights
The people are becoming more audible as they move towards neon lights.
Beach on tops circle tread on my tar
Circle-shaped tread marks appear on the performer's tar surface at the beach.
Get out and pass the muster, neon lights
Leave and meet the standards of the neon lights.
Choo choo choo choo beep beep
A sound effect of a train horn and train crossing signal.
She from Japan, in st-a-ge
A person of Japanese origin is performing on stage.
Pagodas, kimonos, cars
Traditional Japanese architectural structures, clothing, and vehicles are present.
So many many people trying hard to climb
Numerous individuals are struggling to ascend.
Over the floor
They are attempting to move across the ground.
High up above the one
They aim to reach a higher elevation.
Careful with your words
Communicate with caution.
Sight high towers
There are tall structures in view.
Cars are coming down
Automobiles are descending.
Cars are coming back down
Cars are reversing their direction.
Shopping shopping shoppers
Numerous shoppers engaging in commerce.
Crash crash town
An environment prone to collisions.
Train…when you won't look down
The train ride is less alarming if one does not gaze downward.
When you won't look down
The scenario is less alarming if one does not look down.
Shopping shoppers
Individuals shopping for various items.
Cars are coming up
Vehicles are moving upwards.
Cars are coming up
Vehicles are moving upwards.
Cars come now
Automobiles are presently arriving.
Contributed by Levi T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
cycleflight
Man I missed this vid, thanks for reposting.