Movie on the Way Down
Jim O'Rourke Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's that word again
Pride
Do you pride yourself on being
Polite?
Do you feel pride when you're alone?

Does the mirror say good day, today?
Does your family make you feel pride?
Do the pictures keep you warm?
Is your smile so easily worn?




Worn away
Do you feel proud?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jim O'Rourke's song Movie on the Way Down reveal a series of questions about pride, self-awareness and validation. The song is a slow and melancholic ballad with sparse instrumentation, leaving space for the haunting and introspective lyrics. The singer asks if the listener feels pride in being polite, suggesting that this could be a superficial form of pride that lacks meaning and depth. He also wonders if the listener feels proud when they are alone, suggesting that true pride should come from within, regardless of external validation.


The singer then asks a series of questions about the listener's relationships and possessions, suggesting that these external factors might be a source of pride. He asks if the listener feels proud of their appearance in the mirror, if their family makes them feel proud, and if their possessions (represented by pictures) give them a sense of warmth. However, he also suggests that these forms of pride can be fragile and easily worn away, leaving the listener feeling empty and lost. The final question, "Do you feel proud?", is left open-ended, inviting the listener to reflect on their own sense of pride and self-worth.


In summary, the lyrics of Movie on the Way Down offer a sobering and thought-provoking reflection on the nature of pride and validation, showing that true pride comes from within and cannot be based on external factors alone.


Line by Line Meaning

There's that word again
The singer is referring to a particular word that has come up before.


Pride
The word the singer is referring to is 'pride'.


Do you pride yourself on being
The singer is asking if the listener takes pride in their ability to be a certain way.


Polite?
The specific way the artist is asking if the listener prides themselves is on their politeness.


Do you feel pride when you're alone?
The artist questions if the listener still feels a sense of pride in themselves when there is no one else around.


Does the mirror say good day, today?
The singer asks if the listener receives validation or affirmation from their own reflection.


Does your family make you feel pride?
The singer is asking if the listener's family is a source of pride for them.


Do the pictures keep you warm?
The artist is asking if the listener turns to memories or keepsakes for comfort and affection.


Is your smile so easily worn?
The artist suggests that the listener's happy countenance is often fleeting or may be put on with ease.


Worn away
The listener's sense of pride or veneer of happiness may have diminished over time.


Do you feel proud?
The singer circles back to the main theme and asks if the listener really feels genuine pride in their life.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JIM O'ROURKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

TheDudezer

This song literally gives me goosebumps no matter how many times I listen to it. Jim O rourke who i found about by pure accident is the most ingenius underrated musician ever. Hands down! It should be a crime not to know about his music.

Edward Garrity

My sadness came back. I failed. I returned. My head was full of magic but now it’s all gone. So I’ve come back here. To this song. My only friend.

Ashley Parks

At first, I didn't know. But then, it was like THIS is a work of art. So beautiful. Thank you.

Paula García

Why isn't it available in Spotify and where else can we listen to it tho? loved it

Craigmo

Such a brutal scene in Love Liza

Nick Adams

musical fucking genius

David Mitchell

Reminds me of my dad

Gris Villegas

this video is so beautiful

todaysnumberis

Watching love liza is a right of passage

R. Alexander

Love Liza

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