Worm Mountain
Flaming Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You will see
When you fail
You will be
Up on the mountain
But down in a hole
Only nature
Has control
When you run
You will hear
Through the mist
A bell rings clear
But the ring
Is just a sound
Of your starburn
Burning out
On the mountain
Way up high
There are worms
With diamond eyes
When you squeeze them
It makes a light
Through the forest
When you're blind
The lyrics of Flaming Lips' song "Worm Mountain" touch upon themes of control, failure, and the subliminal nature of reality. The verses suggest that, despite our attempts at control, nature reigns supreme - "Only nature has control," the band sings. When one fails, they will be "down in a hole," and only by striving to the top of the metaphorical mountain can they hope to make sense of it all. But even then, the ringing of a bell in the mist proves illusory, a mere echo of one's own dissipation. The chorus goes on to paint a surreal picture of a mountaintop where worms with diamond eyes reside, capable of producing light when squeezed.
Overall, the lyrics of "Worm Mountain" suggest that despite our attempts at understanding the world, the truth may lie beyond our reach. No matter how high we climb, distortions and subliminal messages will obscure our view, and nature will always hold the final say.
Line by Line Meaning
When you try
Attempting to achieve something
You will see
Acquiring insight through experimentation and practice
When you fail
Unsuccessful attempts to achieve something
You will be
The experience of failing to achieve something changes you
Up on the mountain
Feeling accomplished and on top of the world
But down in a hole
The reality of feeling hollow or trapped despite outward success
Only nature
Acknowledgment of the uncontrollable and unpredictable aspects of life
Has control
Lack of control over the external world
When you run
Taking action to avoid something or reach a destination
You will hear
Sensory perception of the environment while in motion
Through the mist
Navigating through unclear or uncertain situations
A bell rings clear
A moment of clarity or realization
But the ring
The realization is short-lived
Is just a sound
The realization has no tangible impact on the situation
Of your starburn
Your short-lived moments of success or brilliance
Burning out
The temporary nature of your past successes
On the mountain
Referencing the earlier mentioned feeling of accomplishment or success
Way up high
Reiterating the idea of being above others or feeling accomplished
There are worms
The presence of negative or unpleasant aspects of success
With diamond eyes
The deceptive and ultimately unrewarding nature of these negatives
When you squeeze them
Trying to hold onto the false rewards of success and failing
It makes a light
The temporary and hollow relief experienced while holding onto these false rewards
Through the forest
Navigating through the unknown and uncertain aspects of life
When you're blind
The continued uncertainty and inability to predict the future despite past experiences
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WAYNE COYNE, STEVEN DROZD, MICHAEL IVINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind