A few months into the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-2020, John Flansburgh suggested to John Linnell that the two create solo releases during lockdown. Roman Songs, a four track EP, released on July 2, 2021.
Idaho
John Linnell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vigil by the picture window.
Sleepy
Eyes never leave the road.
Past my bedtime
Miles ago.
Still haven't entered
Idaho.
There is a sign
Just up the way.
100 feet
From my front yard.
And though it's dark
I make it out.
It says that Idaho
Welcomes you.
Everybody's passed out.
They don't know
How close we are now.
Idaho.
(car alarm blares throughout)
Seen you.
Know everything about you.
Heard your
Air blowing 'cross my door.
Tantilizing.
Go man go.
Driving my house to
Idaho.
Almost there now.
Play that drumroll.
John Linnell's song "Idaho" takes the listener on a journey of a person driving through the night towards Idaho. The opening lines describe the singer's vigil by the picture window, with his sleepy eyes never leaving the road. He is miles away from his bedtime but still hasn't entered Idaho. The verse conveys a feeling of restlessness and anticipation.
The chorus kicks in with a sign up the way, just 100 feet from the front yard. The singer makes out that the sign says, "Idaho Welcomes You." Everyone else in the vehicle is asleep, which creates a sense of isolation for the singer as he is aware of how close they are to entering Idaho.
The second verse starts with the singer saying that he has seen Idaho; he knows everything about it, and he has heard the air blowing across his door. This line conveys a feeling of restlessness and a desire to be in Idaho. The final line of this verse, "Driving my house to Idaho," gives the impression that the singer is carrying his entire house with him to Idaho. The song ends with the singer saying that they are almost there now, and he wants the drummer to play that drumroll.
Overall, the song captures the restlessness and anticipation of a person on a road trip, and the chorus is a celebration of finally entering Idaho, with the singer asking the drummer to play a drumroll to announce the arrival.
Line by Line Meaning
Night-long Vigil by the picture window.
Watching through the window whole night.
Sleepy Eyes never leave the road.
Eyes are getting sleepy but still driving.
Past my bedtime Miles ago.
It's past bedtime and still miles away from the destination.
Still haven't entered Idaho.
The destination Idaho is yet to reach.
There is a sign Just up the way.
There is a sign on the way.
100 feet From my front yard.
The sign is 100 feet from the front yard.
And though it's dark I make it out.
Even though it’s dark, the sign is still visible.
It says that Idaho Welcomes you.
The sign welcomes you to Idaho.
Everybody's passed out.
Everyone else is asleep.
They don't know How close we are now.
Others are unaware that they are closer to the destination.
Seen you. Know everything about you.
The road and its surroundings are so familiar that they feel like they know everything.
Heard your Air blowing 'cross my door.
Even the sound of the air blowing feels familiar.
Tantilizing. Go man go.
Excitement to reach the destination is brewing.
Driving my house to Idaho.
The journey feels so long that it feels like the house is being driven to Idaho.
Almost there now.
The destination is almost reached.
Play that drumroll.
Celebration upon reaching the destination Idaho.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LINNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind