2nd Movement of the Odyssey
Incubus Lyrics

The Incubus song "4th Movement of the Odyssey" presents an interesting commentary on humanity's obsession with material possessions and status symbols. The first stanza challenges the listener to examine their own personal attachment to material things. The reference to "shiny toys for boys" is a metaphor for these objects that people accumulate in the form of cars, houses, and other luxury items. The line "it's all unnerving" hints at the idea that relying on these possessions to define oneself is a troubling mindset. The toys are "bold and new but dark and spotty," further emphasizing the idea that material possessions are not inherently good or evil, but rather mask deeper issues.

The second stanza shifts from an individual perspective to a more global one. The line "fat the world then sink your teeth in" suggests that humans consume resources and power, often at the expense of other people and the planet. The reference to "cannibal and missionary" is an allusion to the dark history of colonialism, which often involved both exploitation and conversion tactics. The final line "when tales so tall are ordinary" offers a stark contrast to the preceding imagery, indicating that the stories and myths we tell ourselves about our own power and morality are often exaggerated and distorted.

Overall, the song urges the listener to question their relationship with material possessions and examine the larger societal structures at play in our world.