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.
West Virginia
John Linnell Lyrics
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Why don't you come outside with me?
West Virginia
There's something I'd like you to see
West Virginia
Deep within ya
There's another deep inside you and inside the other one there is another in the other
Like I told you
You are concentric in your form
When it's cold you
Have got yourself to keep you warm
West Virginia
You'll contin-ya
To be constantly a part of you
You'll never part and you will be
The party who will be partial to you
Sugar Maple's winged seed
Propellers spinning from the tree
Rhododendron evergreen
Look within and you will see
There's another deep inside you and inside the other one there is another in the other
Think it over
No need to answer right away
I'll be over
There in the state across the way
West Virginia
You'll contin-ya
To be constantly a part of you
You'll never part and you will be
The party who will be partial to you
Sugar Maple's winged seed
Propellers spinning from the tree
Rhododendron evergreen
Look within and you will see
There's another deep inside you and inside the other one there is another in the other
West Virginia
West
Virginia
The lyrics to “West Virginia” by John Linnell primarily refer to the central idea of introspection and self-discovery. The song is a personification of West Virginia, encouraging the state to come out and discover what lies within it. Linnell sings the chorus - "West Virginia, why don't you come outside with me? West Virginia, there's something I'd like you to see" to evoke the sense of curiosity about what is inside and around us. Linnell believes that there is always something more to discover inside us, and this idea is represented through the repeated reference to multiple layers of existence.
As the song progresses, Linnell emphasizes the idea of being self-sufficient, particularly in difficult times. Linnell sings, "When it's cold you have got yourself to keep you warm" to highlight the importance of self-reliance and self-love. This lyric teaches one to introspect when they are struggling and find their inner strength to keep going.
Linnell also uses natural imagery to emphasize his message, pointing towards the Sugar Maple's winged seed and the Rhododendron evergreen. These verses mean that like a seed, personal discovery can lead to growth and development, and like an evergreen, some things are everlasting, and their beauty lies within.
Line by Line Meaning
West Virginia
The state of West Virginia, calling out to the listener.
Why don't you come outside with me?
Asking the listener to step outside.
There's something I'd like you to see
Inviting the listener to witness something he wants to show.
Deep within ya
Talking about something that's inside the listener.
There's another deep inside you and inside the other one there is another in the other
Describing a nesting of something deep inside the listener.
Like I told you
Referring to something that was previously mentioned.
You are concentric in your form
Describing the listener's shape and structure.
When it's cold you
Referring to the listener in a specific condition.
Have got yourself to keep you warm
Noting that the listener has his own resources to stay warm.
You'll contin-ya
Saying something that will always be true.
To be constantly a part of you
Referring to something that will always be within the listener.
You'll never part and you will be
Stating a fact about the nature of something inside the listener.
The party who will be partial to you
Describing the relationship the listener has with something inside him.
Sugar Maple's winged seed
Describing a specific type of seed.
Propellers spinning from the tree
Describing the movement of the seed as it falls from the tree.
Rhododendron evergreen
Describing a specific type of plant.
Look within and you will see
Inviting the listener to pay attention and notice something.
Think it over
Encouraging the listener to contemplate something.
No need to answer right away
Noting that the listener can take their time in responding.
I'll be over
Implying that the artist will be nearby.
There in the state across the way
Noting the location of the artist in relation to the listener.
West
A truncated form of 'West Virginia'.
Virginia
A truncated form of 'West Virginia'.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LINNELL, JOHN S. LINNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind