laminated cat
Jeff Tweedy Lyrics


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Springtime comes and the leaves are back on the trees again
The snipers are harder to see my friend
Weeding out your weekends

Summer comes the gravity undoes you
You're happy because the lovely way the sunshine bends
Hiding in the deep end
Weeding out your weekend

Candy left over from Halloween
The Unified theory of everything
Love left over from lovers leaving
Books they all know they're not worth reading
It's not for the season

When autumn comes you sit in your chair and you stare at the TV Square
Hiding from your close friends
Weeding out your weekends

When winter comes the days off start late
There's Motion on the boughs were the dark shapes prowl
Feeling all your feelings
Feeling all your feeling

Candy left over from Halloween
The Unified theory of everything
Love left over from lovers leaving




Books they all know they're not worth reading
They're not worth reading

Overall Meaning

The song Laminated Cat by Jeff Tweedy is a contemplative piece about the different seasons of life and the things we hold onto or discard during those times. The lyrics are reflective in nature, and each verse highlights different themes and emotions that come with each season.


The first verse sets the scene of spring, with the leaves returning to the trees and the snipers becoming less of a threat. The line "weeding out your weekends" suggests a desire to eliminate distractions and focus on what really matters. The second verse moves into summer, where the character feels undone by the force of gravity but finds joy in the way the sunshine bends. The line "hiding in the deep end" conveys a sense of seeking safety or solitude.


The third verse covers autumn, where the character retreats to their home and isolates from close friends while "weeding out your weekends." This section has a somber tone and suggests that the character may be grappling with feelings of loneliness or sadness. The final verse brings us to winter, with days starting late and dark shapes prowling. The line "feeling all your feelings" implies that the character is confronting difficult emotions head-on.


Throughout the song, Tweedy references things left over from past events - candy from Halloween, love from past relationships, and books that are deemed not worth reading. These items represent the weight that we carry with us, both good and bad, and the need to let go or hold onto certain things in order to move forward. Ultimately, Laminated Cat is a thought-provoking song that encourages reflection on the cyclical nature of life and the ways in which we cope with change.


Line by Line Meaning

Springtime comes and the leaves are back on the trees again
The arrival of springtime with tree leaves emerging


The snipers are harder to see my friend
The hidden dangers are becoming difficult to identify


Weeding out your weekends
Getting rid of unnecessary activities to focus on more important things


Summer comes the gravity undoes you
Summer brings relaxation and carefree feeling


You're happy because the lovely way the sunshine bends
The happiness that the sunshine brings


Hiding in the deep end
Escaping from daily life and responsibilities


Candy left over from Halloween
The leftovers from an old festive event


The Unified theory of everything
The attempt for a comprehensive explanation of the universe


Love left over from lovers leaving
The remaining affection after a failed relationship


Books they all know they're not worth reading
The books that lack value and substance


It's not for the season
Something that doesn't belong to a particular time of the year


When autumn comes you sit in your chair and you stare at the TV Square
Autumn brings restlessness and boredom


Hiding from your close friends
Avoiding social interactions with close acquaintances


When winter comes the days off start late
Winter makes it harder to get started with daily work


There's Motion on the boughs were the dark shapes prowl
The winter season brings movement, and shadowy figures are lurking


Feeling all your feelings
Experiencing all your emotions


They're not worth reading
The books don't have a compelling story or useful information




Writer(s): Jeff Tweedy, Jim O'rourke, Glenn Kotche

Contributed by Aubrey C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@theecoolerking

Candy left over from Halloween / unified theory of everything / Love left over from lover(')s leaving / books we all know they're not worth reading.

Peak Tweedy. His greatest couplets.

@seablackwithink8279

Zach Kuhn agreed:) always one of my favorites.

@dralphr

Yes, Perfect.

@sciencecomedian

@@seablackwithink8279 Same!

@TheTeamPlayers

Amazing take on this wonderful tune. Loved the Loose Fur version but this one seems definitive.

@frogsunite

Omg I LOVE this song đź’•

@Berbs73

This song is amazingly beautiful.

@timmcPherrin

always one of my favorite tunes

@dan1251

Thanks, Jeff! Love this version

@Jasper-xc2sm

This song is what depression feels like (particularly seasonal depression) tbh.

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