Flake Music
Flake Music Lyrics


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Is it too near when they're nice?
Is that why there's sand in your eyes?
You should look up cause they're nothing at all
Blow me a kiss and I'll try
Wade through the mud and return wearing white
Hanging like clothes on a line
And I'll wait for you to spend all your time
Waiting like grapes on a vine
All of the goals you have yet to design

Wheels are off the track
I'm dripping everywhere
Eyes are in the clouds
While they pull the rug out
Pull me to the track
I'll give this a try
Down's the wrong way out
Fools himself to climb
But you'll look back and wonder why
What made it so hard to decide
When the difference isn't black and white
Will the settled always have to fly for a home

Is it too near when they're nice?
Is that why there's sand in your eyes?
Don't wait, it's hard to get around when you're old
Blow me a kiss and I'll try
We'll scale the walls and go five miles high
We'll scale the walls and go five miles high

Wheels are off the track
I'm dripping everywhere
Eyes are in the clouds
While they pull the rug out
Pull me to the track
I'll give this a try
Down's the wrong way out
Fools himself to climb
But you'll look back and wonder why
What made it so hard to decide
When the difference isn't black and white
Will the settled always have to fly for a home

Wheels are off the track
I'm dripping everywhere
Eyes are in the clouds




While they pull the rug out
Wheels are off the track

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Flake Music's song "Flake Music" are somewhat nebulous and open to interpretation. However, one possible reading suggests that the song is about the uncertainty and anxiety of being young and trying to find one's place in the world. The repeated lines about sand in the eyes and the wheels off the track evoke a feeling of disorientation and instability. The singer urges the listener to embrace the present moment ("blow me a kiss and I'll try") and to be open to new experiences and possibilities ("we'll scale the walls and go five miles high"). At the same time, there is an acknowledgement that making choices and taking risks can be daunting ("when the difference isn't black and white/will the settled always have to fly for a home").


Overall, the lyrics of "Flake Music" reflect a sense of youthful restlessness and a yearning for adventure and self-discovery. The song captures the exhilaration and uncertainty of being young and trying to navigate the complex and often bewildering world around us.


Line by Line Meaning

Is it too near when they're nice?
Are you suspicious of people being nice to you when they are nearby?


Is that why there's sand in your eyes?
Does your suspicion make you feel overwhelmed or anxious?


You should look up cause they're nothing at all
Don't let your paranoia mislead you and instead focus on the reality of the situation.


Blow me a kiss and I'll try
Let's try and make things work, even if it seems difficult.


Wade through the mud and return wearing white
Try and persevere through the muck and messiness of life, and hopefully come out better for it.


Hanging like clothes on a line
Feelings of being exposed or vulnerable, as if your emotions are on display for others to see.


And I'll wait for you to spend all your time
I will be patient and wait for you to figure things out in your own time.


Waiting like grapes on a vine
Continuing to wait until the conditions are right, like grapes waiting to be harvested.


All of the goals you have yet to design
You have so much potential and so many opportunities to create and reach new goals.


Wheels are off the track
Things have gone awry and it feels like everything is falling apart.


I'm dripping everywhere
The emotions and stressors of life are overwhelming and hard to contain.


Eyes are in the clouds
Feeling absent-minded or distracted, as if your thoughts are elsewhere.


While they pull the rug out
Feeling like someone or something is trying to undermine your stability or security.


Pull me to the track
Trying something new or taking a risk, even if it feels uncomfortable or uncertain.


Down's the wrong way out
Giving up or taking the easy way out is not the solution; it's important to keep pushing forward and facing challenges head-on.


Fools himself to climb
Trying to convince oneself that something will work out even if it's clear that it won't.


But you'll look back and wonder why
One day, you'll reflect on your choices and realize that things could have been different if you had made different decisions.


What made it so hard to decide
Why was it so difficult to take action or make choices at that time?


When the difference isn't black and white
Life is often complex and nuanced, and it can be hard to make decisions with limited information or conflicting opinions.


Will the settled always have to fly for a home
Wondering if it's necessary to leave behind what's familiar in order to find a place where you belong.


Don't wait, it's hard to get around when you're old
Don't put off making decisions or taking action, as it will only become more difficult or impossible as time goes on.


We'll scale the walls and go five miles high
We can overcome obstacles and achieve great heights if we work together and push ourselves outside of our comfort zones.




Contributed by Kaitlyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Richard Grimes

The reissue sounds great so far. This album deserves it. Should be a pretty good filler before the next Shins album.

Adolescent Daydreams

why don't more people know about this? these songs are great

Thaddeus Es

I love this album!

Matthew Boyd

This album and the first Shins album meant a lot to me. I thought they nailed an American version of the suburban gothic macabre that the Clientele were doing around the same time. Having Natalie Portman make The Shins the soundtrack for manic pixie dreamgirls and the boys who love them really diminished their power...they got twee really fast. I still really love this song and this album.

Adam H

This is awesome. Thank You for sharing 🙂

Cap'n Peanut B. Crunch

Glad this output is getting this treatment. Got into it when digging up B-Sides, and I'm glad more people can know about it. This version sounds great, btw.

party poison

This track is amazing

Poor Boys Adventures

I forgot about Flake music. :) Beautiful. Cant believe they reissued this. Cant believe ive been out of the loop for these years. :)

peetie f

Wow so glad i found this band

jamie krutsch

i remember my friend and i freaking out about this new sub pop band in 99.

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