Before the song was named "Mammoth" it was called "Pawn Shop" because of its lyrics. It was one of the first songs to be recorded for the album.
The music video is a live performance of Interpol performing the song in The Astoria, London, UK, on February 7, 2007. The audio in the video is not from the concert, but the edited version of "Mammoth".
Mammoth
Interpol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spare me the suspense
I got no currency, but I'm heaven sent
So spare me the suspense
Just spare me the suspense
Hey Lady Rain, I so hope you try; you're late
Babe, you know it's your time
And I won't let you sit by, so cold in the pitch night, alone
You can't make amends
No, I won't let you sit by so cold in the pitch night
We should dance like two fucking twins
Just spare me the suspense
There are seven ancient pawn shops along the way
And there're seven aching daddies you may want to know
Ooo, right on
Hey Lady Rain, oh baby, I can't deny
I got a taste, a taste, a taste, and it's time
But I won't let you sit by so cold in the pitch night, alone
You can't make amends
No, I won't let you sit by so cold in the pitch night
It's enough with this fucking incense
Just spare me the suspense
There are seven ancient pawn shops along the road
Oh, I know seven aging daddies you may want to know
When you played your heart out, it made me turn around
Ooo, right on
Wait, and you froze in the night
You're late, there's a hole in the sky
No haste, no lesson, no lie
I got a taste that I can't deny
(Spare me the suspense)
And you wait till you know that it's time
You wait till you know that it's time
You wait till you know that it's time
(Spare me the suspense)
You wait till you know that it's time
You say that I'm sent from God, do you know
You said that I'm sent from God?
The lyrics to Interpol's "Mammoth" are abstract and open to interpretation. The repeated phrase "spare me the suspense" could suggest a desire to skip over the anticipation and hesitation in a relationship, to move forward without reservation. The comparison of the two people to "two fucking twins" implies a deep synchronicity between them, a complete understanding of each other. The mentions of Lady Rain and aging daddies could be metaphors for weathering time and experiencing different stages of life. The lyrics also touch on a sense of divine purpose, with the line "I got no currency, but I'm heaven sent," alluding to a higher power guiding the singer's actions.
Musically, the song is characterized by its driving bassline and pounding drums, creating a sense of urgency and intensity. The repetitive nature of the chorus and the simple chord progression give the song a hypnotic quality.
Line by Line Meaning
Spare me the suspense
Please do not keep me in anticipation or delay giving me the information or answer I am seeking.
I got no currency, but I'm heaven sent
Although I have no money, I believe I am meant to be here and have a purpose to fulfill.
Hey Lady Rain, I so hope you try; you're late
Addressing someone named 'Lady Rain', I encourage them to attempt something. However, they are already past the time they were supposed to do it.
Babe, you know it's your time
Referring to the same person as before, I believe it is time for them to take action or seize an opportunity that is present.
And I won't let you sit by, so cold in the pitch night, alone
I will not allow this person to be left alone and isolated in a dark and lonely place.
You can't make amends
It is too late to fix or improve upon a past situation.
We should dance like two fucking twins
We should move together or be in sync as if we were identical twins.
There are seven ancient pawn shops along the way
Along this path, there are seven old and used stores that accept goods as collateral for small loans.
And there're seven aching daddies you may want to know
There are also seven older men with pain or struggle that you may wish to become acquainted with.
Hey Lady Rain, oh baby, I can't deny
Addressing 'Lady Rain' again, I am expressing my feelings of attraction to her.
I got a taste, a taste, a taste, and it's time
I have had a sample or experience of something that I desire to have more of, and it is now time to pursue it.
It's enough with this fucking incense
I have had enough of this fragrant substance that is burned for its scent or symbolic purposes.
When you played your heart out, it made me turn around
When you put your all into something, it made me take notice and reevaluate my own perspective or situation.
Wait, and you froze in the night
Hold on, and you became still or immobile in the darkness.
You're late, there's a hole in the sky
You are delayed or behind schedule, and there seems to be a problem or issue that needs to be addressed.
No haste, no lesson, no lie
There is no need to rush, deceive, or teach a lesson in this situation.
I got a taste that I can't deny (Spare me the suspense)
I have experienced something that I cannot resist, but please do not keep me waiting or anticipating what will happen next.
You wait till you know that it's time
Don't act until you are sure the moment is right.
You say that I'm sent from God, do you know
You have claimed that I have been divinely appointed or chosen for a purpose. Is this really true?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Carlos Andres Dengler, Daniel Alexander Kessler, Paul Julian Banks, Samuel J Fogarino
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@giannipaladini2929
Spare me the suspense
Spare me the suspense
I got no currency, but I'm heaven-sent
So spare me the suspense
Just spare me the suspense
Hey, lady wraith
Oh, I so hope you try
You're late, babe you know it's your time
I won't let you sit by
So cold in the pitch night
Alone you can't make amends
No, I won't let you sit by
So cold in the pitch night
We should dance like two fucking twins
Just spare me the suspense
There are seven ancient pawnshops along the road
I know seven aching daddies you may want to know
Oooohhh, right on (this always seemed to me the verse of mammooth!)
Hey, lady wraith
Oh baby I can't deny
I got a taste, a taste, a taste and it's time
But I won’t let you sit by
So cold in the pitch night
Alone you can’t make amends
No, I won’t let you sit by
So cold in the pitch night
It’s enough with this fucking incense
Just spare me the suspense
There are seven ancient pawn shops along the road
Oh I know seven aging daddies you may want to know
When you played your heart out
You made me turn around
Oooohhh, right on
Wait, oh you froze in the night
You're late, there's a hole in the sky
No haste, no lesson, no lie
Got a taste that I can't deny
(Spare me the suspense)
And you wait till you know that it's time
You wait till you know that it's time
You wait till you know that it's time
You wait till you know that it's time
You say to me, set black fires, do you know?
You say to me, set black fires
@borisbabic4360
Its the song that I never used to listen, now I realize what a masterpiece this is..
@heqrusteoffde739
Our Love to Admire is like the best album from them and the most underrated
@stefaniawonder4517
Here I found what I was searching for the long time, oh my Gosh, I love it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxFw_iukKT0
@michaelmashiter368
@@heqrusteoffde739 absolutely agreed and I loved their second album.
@seandamnbruh
So true I used to really not like this song but it’s killer now. Most of the influence on my music is Interpol. Idk they changed my life .
@DamianHallbauer
me too. took me a while. When I saw them i didnt get it i thought they were pretentious wit their euro name, precise music na slick suits. Theres nothing pretentionus or sqaure about Pauls singing or lyrics. They
shouldbe pretentious becasue they are junder appreciated except by musicainsn and im not one i just know some.. At a karaoke bar i been rentrying for a month to emulate teh notes 2 voices and the fast subtle crooning or voice modulation in this song at karaoke and i cant give it justice. people dont know it, its dark, inaccesible, suble, and i havent hit it right but i dont care ill try a bit more. Ironically his favorit band was Nirvarna , but he said he wouldnt try to emulate his voice he didnt think he could do it justice but i feel better off screiking Milk IT is better appreciated because my voice is higher than his and the song lyrics outrageous. especiaally on the screen. Both are really hard to sing but with the music behind u its fun to try. But im not a musician its just for fun and makes me appreciate it more, the work they do, the sweat he pours, you can see it soak his hair almost every video@kid-ava
Paul's voice at the beginning 🥰
@HeyHeyNingenSucker
reminds me a lot of early foo fighters songs.
@alecjmejia
Interpol circa 2007 is an underrated era, always been one of my fav albums from the year
@gerbilpmc
probably my favorite interpol song