Helicopter
Deerhunter Lyrics
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At the fountain stairs
At a chapter on symmetry
Nobody cares
And I had a smoke
While I traced the squares
Put my finger to concrete
Felt the autumn air
When I look around
I can feel it spinning
Feet on the ground
Head on the ceiling
Sun on my shirt
Sweat on my hands
All falling in retrograde
Cancel all my plans
And I had to look
At the marching band
Skip across the pavement
Nobody's there
When I look around
I can feel it spinning
Feet on the ground
Head on the ceiling
The lyrics to Deerhunter's song Helicopter seem to capture a sense of disorientation and confusion. The singer appears to have forgotten something important (a book) and is standing at the fountain stairs, contemplating the nature of symmetry. However, they feel that nobody cares about this intellectual pursuit. In this state of mind, the singer has a smoke and traces some squares with their finger on the concrete. They feel the autumn air and seem to be lost in thought.
The second verse adds to the feeling of confusion as the singer describes the physical sensations they are experiencing - the sun on their shirt, sweat on their hands - and the cosmic sense that all is reversing (falling in retrograde) and that they must cancel all their plans. There is an image of a marching band, but nobody is around to see them skip across the pavement.
Taken together, the song tells a story of dissociation and perhaps even awe at the chaos of the world. The spinning and confusion that the singer feels could be seen as a metaphor for the dizzying pace of modern life or the sense that things are out of control. The image of the marching band adds a sense of whimsy to the song, but it also underscores the idea that the singer is experiencing something profound and strange.
Line by Line Meaning
I forgot my book
I left my book behind
At the fountain stairs
I left my book at the stairs near the fountain
At a chapter on symmetry
The book was open at a chapter discussing symmetry
Nobody cares
No one noticed or paid attention to my mistake
And I had a smoke
I lit up a cigarette
While I traced the squares
I drew squares with my finger
Put my finger to concrete
I pressed my finger against the concrete surface
Felt the autumn air
I experienced the atmosphere of autumn
When I look around
As I survey my surroundings
I can feel it spinning
I sense everything is moving or turning
Feet on the ground
My feet are planted on the floor
Head on the ceiling
My mind is consumed with thoughts and emotions
Sun on my shirt
The sun is shining on my shirt
Sweat on my hands
My hands are sweaty
All falling in retrograde
Everything is moving in the opposite direction
Cancel all my plans
I don't want to carry out my original plans
And I had to look
I had to glance at something else
At the marching band
I watched the band marching past
Skip across the pavement
I jumped and hopped across the pavement
Nobody's there
There is no one around
When I look around
As I survey my surroundings
I can feel it spinning
I sense everything is moving or turning
Feet on the ground
My feet are planted on the floor
Head on the ceiling
My mind is consumed with thoughts and emotions
Lyrics © BEGGARS MUSIC, LTD.
Written by: BRADFORD COX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gcddess
Take my hand and pray with me
My final days in company
The devil now has come for me
And helicopters circling the scene
[Verse 2]
And I pray for rest
Could you pray for us?
We know he loves you the best
We know he loves you the best
[Verse 3]
The light's inside my cave
I'm tired of my pains
Ooh
Ooh
[Verse 4]
Oh, these drugs, they play
On me these terrible ways
They don't pay like they used to pay
I used to make it day to day
[Verse 5]
No one cares for me
I keep no company
I have minimal needs
And now they are through with me
[Outro]
Now they are through with me
Now they are through with me
Now they are through with me
Now they are through with me
Now they are through with me
Now they are through with me
Now they are through with me
Now they are through with me
@skatedraco182
certified hood classic
@bloodaonadeline8346
Everyone in the band lived next to the hood at one point, so this is funny
@LardossenCruiser-X
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qpifkqBkC9o
@LilPanoramikVieux
Literally. ATL legends
@maniikx7
Deerhunter is actually one of the best indie bands ever.
@franciscovillafane9393
indie is the worst term on the planet
@maniikx7
Francisco Villafane Why are you watching this video, then?
@AlmostIdiot1
+Mani The Astronaut He's against the term, not the genre
@maniikx7
IDK Oh. Sorry.
@franciscovillafane9393
its a good song just not indie lol