Recently, Brion experimented Hip-Hop style as producer on Kanye West last album, "Late Registration". The result is brilliant, with real-life instruments mashed up with heavy beats. To complete this mutation, Kanye West did a live recording of his record at the mythic Abbey Road Studio, Jon Brion being the missing link between Hip Hop and The Beatles pop music.
In addition to his prolific studio work, he also has held a long-term position as "the house band" Friday nights at the high-profile Hollywood nightclub Largo. At his live shows, the crowd can expect anything from guest appearances by Aimee Mann, Michael Stipe, Elvis Costello, T-Bone Burnett, or Grant Lee Phillips, and Brion is infamous for making up songs on the spot (often from titles shouted from the audience). He also is beloved for his quirky cover versions of songs by Cheap Trick, the Beatles, and Cole Porter, proudly likening his on-stage antics to "spraying musical Raid on the classics, until each dying song flips on its back and wiggles its little musical legs in surrender." Whatever music he was involved in, his eclectic touch undeniably shaped the sound of many progressive alternative musicians throughout the '90s.
Revolving Doors
Jon Brion Lyrics
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You won't be around for long
Though not a dying breed
Cause they'll always be a market for greed
And they'll always be someone to replace you
Though they may not have the courage to face you
Now it's too late to settle scores
Back through the revolving door
You're sick of your skin
Though you act like you're not for now
But the rot has set in and it could be as little as an hour or two
Before it completely devours you
And the ones who should stand up are afraid to
You were smug while you held the floor
You're going back the way you came before
Back through the revolving door
I understand the concessions that you make
I know what it's like to get backed into a corner
I sympathize but I don't take your side
Hey you
You act like no one could tame you
But when it counted you never came through
Well, with one look at what they paid you
Well, most folks would hardly blame you
I'm not surprised that this is what it came to
You're going back the way you came before
Back through the revolving door
And one day you could be back for more
Oh, more, oh, more, oh, no
In Jon Brion's song "Revolving Doors," the lyrics depict a person who has made poor choices in their life and is now reaping the consequences of those choices. The opening line "You slit your own throat" is a metaphor for the self-destructive behavior that has led to the person's downfall. The following lines "You won't be around for long" suggest that the person's behavior will ultimately lead to their demise. However, the songwriter also recognizes that this behavior is not unique and that there will always be a market for greed and someone to replace the fallen person.
The chorus "You're going back the way you came before, back through the revolving door" suggests that the person's life has come full circle and they are returning to the same patterns of behavior that led to their downfall. Despite this, the songwriter acknowledges that the person may still have a chance to turn their life around, as evidenced by the line "And one day you could be back for more."
The second verse suggests that the person knows they are in a bad situation but is too stuck in their ways to change. The line "You were smug while you held the floor" suggests that the person was arrogant and believed they were invincible, leading to their downfall. The songwriter sympathizes with the person's struggles but also recognizes that they made their own choices and must face the consequences.
Overall, "Revolving Doors" is a commentary on the cyclical nature of life and the consequences of our actions. It is a reminder that we have the power to make choices that can lead to either success or downfall, and that ultimately we must face the consequences of those choices.
Line by Line Meaning
You slit your own throat
You have caused your own downfall
You won't be around for long
You won't last for a long time
Though not a dying breed
Although there are more people like you
Cause they'll always be a market for greed
There will always be a demand for greed
And they'll always be someone to replace you
There will always be someone to take your place
Though they may not have the courage to face you
Although they may not confront you directly
Now it's too late to settle scores
It's too late to resolve your issues
You're going back the way you came before
You're returning to your previous state
You're sick of your skin
You're tired of who you are
Though you act like you're not for now
Although you're pretending otherwise for the moment
But the rot has set in and it could be as little as an hour or two
But your fate is already sealed and it might not take very long
Before it completely devours you
Before it consumes you completely
And the ones who should stand up are afraid to
And those who should speak out are scared to do so
You were smug while you held the floor
You were arrogant while you were in control
I understand the concessions that you make
I know the sacrifices you have to make
I know what it's like to get backed into a corner
I know the feeling of being trapped and helpless
I sympathize but I don't take your side
I empathize but I don't support you
Hey you
Hey, you there
You act like no one could tame you
You behave as if no one can control you
But when it counted you never came through
But when it mattered, you failed to deliver
Well, with one look at what they paid you
Well, considering what you've been paid
Well, most folks would hardly blame you
Well, most people wouldn't blame you
I'm not surprised that this is what it came to
I'm not shocked that this is your outcome
And one day you could be back for more
And one day you might want more of the same
Oh, more, oh, more, oh, no
Oh, more, oh, more, oh, no
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JON BRION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind