They've recorded two albums and one EP under the Electric President moniker, all available under the German imprint Morr Music, with a third to be released in early 2010 on Fake Four Inc. They've had songs on television and in various short films. They both came from DIY ideas of making music, and as such record all their music in a tool shed and a bedroom with a handful of recording gear. Apparently, this gives them cred.
They hope to one day be incredibly rich from their music so they can buy an airplane and set it on fire without ever using it. To burn that sucker simply because they can, and to stand by and drink expensive wine and laugh manically until it explodes.
Metal Fingers
Electric President Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Peel the cover from the city.
Watch its insides twitch and smoke and rotate endlessly.
Sinking. Moving deep beneath the water.
Lots of other worlds exist.
Soon enough we’ll tear them open.
Soon enough we’ll break them too.
Metal fingers scrape the skies.
The windows look like Christmas lights from out here.
Floating. Counting clouds. They’re slowly fading.
Blending in with cardboard skies.
Soon we’ll manufacture replicas.
It’s all replaceable.
From the sky, the train tracks look like stitches.
Like they’re holding the world together; like it’ll blow any minute.
And I’ve got another thought I’ll keep to myself.
Until the skeletons walk free. Until the make-up all comes off.
There’s nothing new to discover, there’s nothing new to invent.
There’s nothing new to think that hasn’t been thought of before.
And there’s nothing to believe we haven’t already forgotten.
There’s nothing left, there’s nothing new, there’s nothing—
No, no, no, no no.
And I’ve got another dream I’ll keep to myself.
Until the tyrants are dead and the patriots are swallowed whole.
And I’ve got a bottle I can aim at the center,
Full of letters, as a kid, I’d always meant to send.
We’d speak our minds and change the world.
We’d fix the past and pave the way.
But now we’re fresh out of heroes; now we’ve run dry on hope.
There are no saviors in technology: just quick fixes.
And holes, within holes, within holes, within you.
And a place to hang my head, and convince myself there is no difference
Electric President’s song Metal Fingers explores themes of destruction, disillusionment, and the replacement of the natural world with manufactured construct. The first verse describes moving across water, peeling back the cover of the city to reveal its inner workings - this is a metaphor for uncovering the secrets behind society and modern infrastructure, particularly through technological advancements. The second verse explores the scene from high above, with metal fingers representing human-made structures such as skyscrapers scraping the skies, and concrete overtaking the ocean. These images are contrasted with fading clouds and a cardboard sky, suggesting the loss of natural beauty to the point where it becomes a manufactured image. The chorus speaks to the idea that there is nothing new to be discovered or invented, and that we have forgotten what we once believed in. The final verse expresses disillusionment with modern society’s approach to progress, stating that there are no saviours in modern technology - just holes within holes, and a place to hang one’s head.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand and move and walk across the water.
Traveling across a body of water by foot, symbolizing an impossible feat accomplished.
Peel the cover from the city.
Removing the facade of a city to reveal its true nature.
Watch its insides twitch and smoke and rotate endlessly.
Observing the inner workings of a city in motion, as if it were alive and constantly moving.
Sinking. Moving deep beneath the water.
Diving underwater, perhaps metaphorically sinking into overwhelming thoughts or emotions.
Lots of other worlds exist.
There are many other possibilities and realities beyond what is seen or known.
Soon enough we’ll tear them open.
Breaking through barriers to explore and uncover new realities.
Soon enough we’ll break them too.
Destroying or altering these new realities just as quickly as they were found.
Swimming. Watching concrete eat the ocean.
Observing the destructive nature of human-made structures like concrete and how they impact their surrounding environments.
Metal fingers scrape the skies.
Towering, metallic structures reaching high into the sky, creating a sense of foreboding or unease.
The windows look like Christmas lights from out here.
Looking at a building or skyscraper from a distance makes the illuminated windows appear festive and cheerful.
Floating. Counting clouds. They’re slowly fading.
Feeling a sense of detachment from reality while observing a natural phenomenon like clouds slowly dissipating.
Blending in with cardboard skies.
The appearance of man-made structures blending in with nature's sky, suggesting a lack of distinction between the two.
Soon we’ll manufacture replicas.
Creating copies or imitations of things that already exist, emphasizing a lack of originality or creativity.
It’s all replaceable.
Everything has the potential to be replaced or replicated, rendering it unremarkable or without value.
From the sky, the train tracks look like stitches.
Looking at a transportation network like train tracks from above can give them the appearance of stitches or scars on the earth's surface.
Like they’re holding the world together; like it’ll blow any minute.
The fragility of a world that appears to be held together by a man-made system, suggesting a potential for imminent collapse or disaster.
And I’ve got another thought I’ll keep to myself.
Having private or personal thoughts that one does not wish to share with others.
Until the skeletons walk free. Until the make-up all comes off.
Waiting for the truth to be revealed or exposed, for society to become transparent and unmasked.
There’s nothing new to discover, there’s nothing new to invent.
Feeling a sense of stagnation, that everything that can be known or created has already been done before.
There’s nothing new to think that hasn’t been thought of before.
Believing that all original thought has already occurred, that there are no new ideas left to explore.
And there’s nothing to believe we haven’t already forgotten.
There may be truths or beliefs that have been lost or forgotten over time.
There’s nothing left, there’s nothing new, there’s nothing—
A feeling of nihilism, that there is nothing of value or meaning in the world around us.
No, no, no, no no.
Emphasizing the negativity and hopelessness of the previous lines.
And I’ve got another dream I’ll keep to myself.
Holding onto aspirations or desires that one feels are unachievable or unrealistic.
Until the tyrants are dead and the patriots are swallowed whole.
Waiting for oppressive systems and their supporters to be defeated or dismantled entirely.
And I’ve got a bottle I can aim at the center,
Feeling a sense of anger or frustration that can be targeted at specific targets or systems.
Full of letters, as a kid, I’d always meant to send.
Reflecting on unfinished or unaccomplished goals or desires from one's youth.
We’d speak our minds and change the world.
Hoping to make a significant impact on the world through the power of speech and ideas.
We’d fix the past and pave the way.
Believing in the ability to correct the mistakes of the past and create a better future.
But now we’re fresh out of heroes; now we’ve run dry on hope.
Losing faith in leaders or inspirational figures, feeling devoid of optimism or positivity.
There are no saviors in technology: just quick fixes.
Viewing technological advancement as a temporary band-aid solution to larger issues, rather than a permanent fix.
And holes, within holes, within holes, within you.
Feeling like there is no end to one's inner turmoil or personal struggles.
And a place to hang my head, and convince myself there is no difference
Feeling resigned or accepting of circumstances, unable to see change or progression.
Contributed by Chase I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.