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.
Maine
John Linnell Lyrics
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Relaxing on my face
Reclining in the bear trap of its tender, warm embrace
Glazed with coniferous green
Glazed with excitement and dread
Exhausted from oversleep
Awake but still in bed
Shaving razor's rusty but the sting brings you exactly back to
Maine
Is the world that went south
Maine
Is a punch in the mouth
Maine at the top of the chart
Has crushed my evil heart
Maine
Is the devil you know
Maine
Is the heaven below
Maine
At the top of the chart
Has crushed my evil heart
I love you anyway (I love you anyway)
I promise there's no other state (there's no other state)
But only if you stay away (but only if you leave)
And leave me to my ugly state (me to my ugly state)
And give me back my evil heart so I can see you as you aren't
Maine
Is the world that went south
Maine
Is a punch in the mouth
Maine
At the top of the chart
Has crushed my evil heart
Maine
Is the poison you love
Maine
Is the hell from above
Maine
At the top of the chart
Has crushed my evil heart
The lyrics in John Linnell's song "Maine" depict a complicated relationship with the state of Maine that oscillates between love and hate. The first stanza conveys a sense of surrender to Maine's natural beauty and the melancholic longing that it inspires. The lines "Relaxing on my hands and knees/ Relaxing on my face/ Reclining in the bear trap of its tender, warm embrace" evoke a feeling of being trapped in the state's magnetic pull. The lines "Glazed with coniferous green/ Glazed with excitement and dread/ Exhausted from oversleep/ Awake but still in bed" reveal a sense of being overwhelmed by the state's natural richness - the forests and the coastline - and being hesitant to explore further.
The following stanza brings a more cynical tone to the song, with the singer lamenting Maine's shortcomings. The line "Shaving razor's rusty but the sting brings you exactly back to" suggests that even the things one might expect to be bad in Maine are a reminder of the state's pull, leaving the singer feeling powerless. The repetition of the phrase "Maine/ Is the world that went south" and "Maine/ Is a punch in the mouth" showcase the singer's feelings of betrayal and disappointment. However, in the chorus, the line "Maine at the top of the chart/ Has crushed my evil heart" presents an ironic twist that suggests despite all of Maine's flaws, the state still commands a special place in the singer's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Relaxing on my hands and knees
Feeling comfortable, but in a vulnerable position
Relaxing on my face
Being completely vulnerable and defeated
Reclining in the bear trap of its tender, warm embrace
Being lured into a comforting and welcoming trap
Glazed with coniferous green
Covered in the green of Maine's trees and nature
Glazed with excitement and dread
Feeling both exhilarated and terrified at the same time
Exhausted from oversleep
Feeling tired from too much rest
Awake but still in bed
Being alert, but not quite ready to take action
Shaving razor's rusty but the sting brings you exactly back to
The pain of shaving with a rusty razor is a reminder of the song's setting:
Maine
The unique and difficult experiences of being in Maine and its effect on the artist
Is the world that went south
Maine is a representation of the world's problems and struggles
Is a punch in the mouth
Maine is a difficult and painful experience
At the top of the chart
Maine is the ultimate and most extreme experience
Has crushed my evil heart
Maine has exposed the singer's inner demons and fears
Is the devil you know
The difficulties of Maine are familiar and more predictable than other challenges
Is the heaven below
The beauty and wonder of Maine can also be overwhelming and intimidating
Is the poison you love
Maine's challenges are addictive in a way that the artist can't resist
Is the hell from above
Maine's difficulties are like a punishment from a higher power
I love you anyway (I love you anyway)
Despite Maine's difficulties, the singer still loves the state
I promise there's no other state (there's no other state)
The singer's love for Maine is unique and unwavering
But only if you stay away (but only if you leave)
The artist wants to keep others from experiencing Maine's challenges
And leave me to my ugly state (me to my ugly state)
Let the artist stay in Maine and deal with its difficulties alone
And give me back my evil heart so I can see you as you aren't
The artist wants to see the truth about those around them without the influence of Maine's challenges
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LINNELL, JOHN S. LINNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind