In April 2006, Japanther teamed up with Aquadoom, a synchronized swimming group at New York University to play the Dangerous When Wet event at the school's Palladium Pool. On July 2, 2006, Japanther played under a plastic tarp in the rain at CitySol, an annual summer music and market series on Manhattan’s East River waterfront (Stuyvesant Cove Park) to raise awareness for environmental issues.
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Vagabond
Japanther Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From beneath my feet
I can hear the subway rumble
Right below the street
You can touch the tension
In my neighborhood
I'm bent out of shape
And it feels good good
Yeah.
Can't trust the Vagabond
So pack your bags 'cause we are on
The midnight train and sleepin' good.
In Japanther's song Vagabond, the singer seems to have a sense of liberation, as they mention feeling the curse lifting from beneath their feet. This curse lifting could be interpreted as a metaphor for the singer feeling free from the negative circumstances or situations they may have been experiencing. The lyrics also speak to a feeling of restlessness and excitement that the singer is experiencing, as they mention hearing the subway rumble right below the street and feeling tension in their neighborhood. The line "I'm bent out of shape and it feels good good" may suggest that the singer is comfortable in their unease and uncertainty, and that they embrace the fleeting and transient nature of their circumstances.
The chorus, which repeats the phrase "Can't trust the Vagabond", adds a new layer to the song's meaning. The vagabond could be interpreted as a symbol of the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, and the singer may be urging themselves (and perhaps the listener) to embrace this unpredictability and the freedom that comes with it. The second half of the chorus ("Pack your bags 'cause we are on the midnight train and sleepin' good") seems to reinforce the idea of embracing life's unpredictability and taking advantage of opportunities as they arise.
Line by Line Meaning
I can feel the curse lifting
I sense that the negative energy around me is disappearing, and things are looking up.
From beneath my feet
This newfound positivity is coming from within me, as if a weight has been lifted from my very soul.
I can hear the subway rumble
The sound of the city's hustle and bustle is a constant reminder of its restless nature.
Right below the street
The energy of urban life runs deep within the layers of the city, even underground.
You can touch the tension
The friction between different groups of people in my neighborhood is palpable, and it adds to the overall vibe.
In my neighborhood
This is where I belong, and it's the environment that has made me who I am.
I'm bent out of shape
I may be flawed or struggling in some way, but that doesn't define who I am or hold me back.
And it feels good good
In fact, embracing my quirks and imperfections is liberating and empowering.
Can't trust the Vagabond
People who are always on the move or without roots can be untrustworthy or unreliable due to their lifestyle.
So pack your bags 'cause we are on
Let's leave our worries and cares behind and embark on a new adventure, regardless of the risks.
The midnight train and sleepin' good.
We are taking a chance on a new journey, but we can rest easy knowing that we are moving forward and living on our own terms.
Contributed by Asher W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.