Extraordinary Machine
Fiona Apple Lyrics
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And I certainly haven't been spreading myself around
I still only travel by foot and by foot it's a slow climb
But, I'm good at being uncomfortable
So I can't stop changing all the time
I notice that my opponent is always on the go
And won't go slow so as not to focus and I notice
From whence he came
But, he's no good at being uncomfortable
So he can't stop staying exactly the same
If there was a better way to go, then it would find me
I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it
I'm an extraordinary machine
I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day
You deem me due to clean my view and be at peace and lay
I mean to prove, I mean to move in my own way
And say I've been getting along for long before you came into the play
I am the baby of the family, it happens so
Everybody cares and wears the sheep's clothes while they chaperone
Curious, you're looking down your nose at me while you appease
Courteous to try and help but let me set your mind at ease
If there was a better way to go, then it would find me
I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it
I'm an extraordinary machine
Do I so worry you?
You need to hurry to my side
That's very kind
But it's to no avail
And I don't want the bail
I promise you everything will be just fine
If there was a better way to go, then it would find me
I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it
I'm an extraordinary machine
If there was a better way to go, then it would find me
I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it
I'm an extraordinary machine
The lyrics of Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine" tell a story of a person who is constantly changing and evolving, even if it means being uncomfortable. The singer claims to not have been "shopping for any new shoes" or "spreading [herself] around," meaning she hasn't been seeking out new experiences in a frivolous way. But she still only travels by foot and acknowledges that it's a slow climb. However, she's good at being uncomfortable and can't stop changing all the time.
The singer then notes that her opponent is always on the go and won't go slow so as not to focus. Her opponent will hitch a ride with anyone as long as they go fast. However, the opponent is no good at being uncomfortable and can't stop staying exactly the same. The singer then asserts that if there was a better way to go, it would find her. She can't help it, the road just rolls out behind her. She asks to be treated kindly or meanly, as she'll make the most of it because she's an extraordinary machine.
The singer seems to recognize that she comes across as seeking a new disaster every day, and people want her to clean her view and be at peace. However, she means to move in her own way and show that she's been getting along for long before anyone else came into the picture. She notes that she's the "baby" of the family and people wear sheep's clothes while she's chaperoned around. The singer wants to set someone's mind at ease and asserts that everything will be fine. The song is ultimately an anthem to being true to oneself and not letting anything hold you back from your own journey.
Line by Line Meaning
I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes
I haven't been making any major changes to my life
And I certainly haven't been spreading myself around
I haven't been trying to do too many things at once
I still only travel by foot and by foot it's a slow climb
I am struggling to make progress, despite my efforts
But, I'm good at being uncomfortable
I am used to facing challenging situations
So I can't stop changing all the time
I feel the need to constantly evolve and improve
I notice that my opponent is always on the go
I see that other people are always rushing around
And won't go slow so as not to focus and I notice
They are too busy to pay attention to their surroundings
He'll hitch a ride with any guide as long as they go fast
They will follow anyone who promises quick results
From whence he came
But they don't really know where they are going
But, he's no good at being uncomfortable
They are not accustomed to stepping outside their comfort zone
So he can't stop staying exactly the same
So they remain stuck in their ways
If there was a better way to go, then it would find me
I believe that I will find the right path for me eventually
I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me
I am constantly moving forward, even if it is slow or difficult
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I can handle whatever comes my way
I'll make the most of it
I will find a way to turn any situation to my advantage
I'm an extraordinary machine
I am a resilient and adaptable person
I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day
Others may think that I am always looking for trouble
You deem me due to clean my view and be at peace and lay
You think I need to take a step back and relax
I mean to prove, I mean to move in my own way
I am determined to follow my own path, regardless of what others think
And say I've been getting along for long before you came into the play
I have been managing just fine without your help or input
I am the baby of the family, it happens so
I am the youngest in my family
Everybody cares and wears the sheep's clothes while they chaperone
Others may try to control or influence me, while pretending to have my best interests at heart
Curious, you're looking down your nose at me while you appease
You may be pretending to be kind, while actually judging me
Courteous to try and help but let me set your mind at ease
I appreciate your attempts to help, but I am confident in my own abilities
Do I so worry you?
Are you concerned about me?
You need to hurry to my side
Are you trying to intervene in my life?
That's very kind
I appreciate your concern
But it's to no avail
But I don't really need your help
And I don't want the bail
I don't want to be rescued or saved from anything
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Fiona Apple Maggart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind