Their music initially featured many influences from 60s psychedelia, played with a rough lo-fi abandon. They self-released several EPs and albums between 2007 and 2011, including "30 track space opera" Jurassic Exxplosion Philippic, most of which are by now scarcely available. In 2011, they met producer/songwriter Richard Swift after handing him one of their EPs, and Swift would go on to work with them for some subsequent albums. After being signed to Jagjaguwar Records, Take the Kids Off Broadway, was released as their debut album on July 24, 2012. On January 22, 2013, they released their second album, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic. This album was produced by Richard Swift and recorded at his National Freedom studios.
For each album Foxygen 'chooses' a different era in music history to focus themselves on. We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic is based on the sixties, ...And Star Power was seventies and their newest release Hang is based on the forties.
Album discographyJurrassic Exxplosion Phillipic (2007)Take the Kids Off Broadway (2011)We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic (2013)...And Star Power (2014)Hang (2017)Seeing Other People (2019)
Trauma
Foxygen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Be gone, throw your parapets into the fire
Trauma (Trauma)
Trauma (Trauma)
Trauma, yeah
Ooh, yeah so you free it from the trauma
(Trauma) Trauma
Everyone has their own trauma (trauma)
Trauma (Trauma)
Trauma just like me
Oh, trauma
If I could get over this trauma (trauma)
Trauma, trauma
Oh, everyone, everyone has their own trauma
Oh, their own trauma
Some are big and some are much larger
Oh, but they come from our mothers and fathers
Among others
I got the paper from the lawn today
Don't get out that much these days
Anyway, but how can I tell you if I don't know what to say?
Remember when we used to speak between the stars
And I see you with flamingos in the yard
But how can I love you if I don't know who you are, yeah?
How can I love you if I don't know who you are?
Caution
Cau-caution
Cau-caution
Cau-cau-cau-caution
Caution, baby
Cau-cau-caution, baby
Foxygen's song "Trauma" addresses the theme of trauma and its effects on different individuals. The first verse begins with a message to people who "confuse and abuse," asking them to let go of their harmful behaviors and "throw your parapets into the fire." The repetition of "Trauma" in the chorus emphasizes the significance of the word and the lasting impact it can have. The lyrics suggest that everyone has their own trauma, no matter how big or small, and that it is something that needs to be released in order to move on. The singer turns towards their own personal trauma in the second half of the song, expressing the difficulty of communicating their thoughts and feelings to another person, particularly someone they care about. The final cautionary phrase serves as a warning to whoever might be listening.
Overall, the song conveys a message of empathy and understanding towards those who have experienced trauma. It acknowledges that trauma is a universal experience and must be addressed in order to heal and move forward. The song's melody and instrumentation combine a classic rock sound with a psychedelic, dreamy quality, adding to its emotional and reflective tone.
Line by Line Meaning
All you people who confuse and abuse
Addressing those who cause confusion and hurt to others.
Be gone, throw your parapets into the fire
Inviting those who create obstacles for others to let go of their ways and be destroyed, symbolized by the image of parapets burning down.
Trauma (Trauma)
Repeating the title of the song, evoking the pain and distress associated with trauma.
Trauma, yeah
Affirming the reality and significance of trauma.
Ooh, yeah so you free it from the trauma
Offering a potential solution to overcome and heal from trauma.
(Trauma) Trauma
Repeating the title of the song.
Everyone has their own trauma (trauma)
Acknowledging that everyone carries their own pain and struggles.
Trauma (Trauma)
Repeating the title of the song.
Trauma just like me
Highlighting the commonality of experiencing trauma.
Oh, trauma
Repeating the title of the song, emphasizing the emotional weight it carries.
If I could get over this trauma (trauma)
Expressing the desire to overcome and move past one's own trauma.
Trauma, trauma
Repeating the title of the song.
Oh, everyone, everyone has their own trauma
Reiterating the message that trauma is a universal experience.
Oh, their own trauma
Affirming the individuality of each person's trauma.
Some are big and some are much larger
Acknowledging that the severity of trauma can vary greatly.
Oh, but they come from our mothers and fathers
Suggesting that trauma can be passed down from previous generations, possibly through history or upbringing.
Among others
Leaving room for other sources of trauma beyond familial inheritance.
I got the paper from the lawn today
Sharing a mundane detail from the present moment.
Don't get out that much these days
Implying that the singer is isolated or struggles with socializing.
Anyway, but how can I tell you if I don't know what to say?
Reflecting on the difficulty of verbal communication, especially regarding sensitive topics such as trauma.
Remember when we used to speak between the stars
Recalling a past memory with a person or people.
And I see you with flamingos in the yard
Imagining a fun and colorful image.
But how can I love you if I don't know who you are, yeah?
Expressing a challenge to connect with someone romantically or emotionally without understanding who they truly are.
Caution
Issuing a warning or call for attention.
Cau-caution
Suggesting that caution is necessary and potentially urgent.
Cau-caution
Repeating the previous line.
Cau-cau-cau-caution
Building tension and emphasis on the importance of caution.
Caution, baby
Addressing someone with a sense of care or urgency.
Cau-cau-caution, baby
Repeating the previous line with added intensity.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Sam France, Jonathan Rado
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind