In 2006, Arthur's song "In the Sun" was covered by Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.) and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. Released for a Hurricane Katrina Relief program, the EP includes six versions of the cover, one of which has Arthur himself singing with Stipe.
Arthur established his own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records, in 2006, and released two studio albums, Let's Just Be (2007) and Temporary People (2008) with backing band The Lonely Astronauts. Arthur subsequently returned to performing and recording as a solo artist, releasing The Graduation Ceremony in 2011 and the double album, Redemption City in 2012.
Arthur is also an acclaimed painter and designer. His artwork has graced the sleeves of his entire discography; the sleeve design for his 1999 album entitled Vacancy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.
Porcupine
Joseph Arthur Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crawling out from inside of your mind
Like you growing a crown of thorns
But you're no messiah
You think more like a spider
'cause guilty hearts beat upside down
Silver hubcaps replcaed your eyes
Forgiving the road every inch for miles
If your tyres survive
You know your heart will explode
And if this song was a sponge
Soaked in your blood
Well then I guess the story would be told
A fateful day
You became a spider
As I fed you blood from my nose
Now you're just like me
The lyrics of Joseph Arthur's song Porcupine seem to be about the struggle of the human mind and how it can sometimes be like a porcupine, slowly emerging with sharp edges that can hurt both oneself and others. The metaphors used throughout the song suggest that the singer is in a state of self-discovery and self-doubt, trying to make sense of the world around them.
The comparison of the porcupine to a crown of thorns is particularly interesting, as it implies that the singer is suffering from some form of mental anguish or turmoil, similar to that of Jesus when he wore the crown of thorns. However, the line "but you're no messiah" suggests that the singer is not trying to save anyone but themselves, further emphasizing the inward-looking nature of the song.
The second half of the song takes a turn towards the surreal, with the use of the image of silver hubcaps for eyes and the feeding of blood from the singer's nose. This suggests a deeper connection between the two characters and perhaps a shared sense of pain and confusion.
Overall, the lyrics of Porcupine are open to interpretation, but they seem to touch on themes of personal struggle, mental health, and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
A porcupine
Feeling vulnerable, exposed and prickly
Crawling out from inside of your mind
A manifestation of deep-seated fears and anxieties
Like you growing a crown of thorns
Internal turmoil resembling the pain suffered by Jesus during the crucifixion
But you're no messiah
Realization that he is not capable of providing universal salvation
You think more like a spider
An inclination towards manipulation and self-preservation
'cause guilty hearts beat upside down
The feeling of guilt and shame causing a physiological discomfort
Silver hubcaps replcaed your eyes
Blindness to the world due to personal desires and aspirations
As you went spinning on a daydream down
A surreal and fantastic journey through the imagination
Forgiving the road every inch for miles
Finding peace and meaning in the journey, instead of the destination
If your tyres survive
Uncertainty towards the strength of one's emotional or physical endurance
You know your heart will explode
Fear that intense emotions could have deadly consequences
And if this song was a sponge
A metaphor for the vulnerability expressed in the lyrics
Soaked in your blood
The pain and suffering endured by one's emotional wounds
Well then I guess the story would be told
The song expresses the artist's truth through metaphor and allegory
A fateful day
A pivotal moment that altered one's perception of the world
You became a spider
A change in personality or mindset to become more manipulative and self-serving
As I fed you blood from my nose
The mutual exchange of emotional pain and trauma between two people
Now you're just like me
Shared experiences and emotions have made the two people alike
Contributed by Savannah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@verbo108
Trippy indeed. ...or as we say in Tijuana: Tripeado
@pbmaggs
trippy
@marcolivieri8227
up to the sky
@pbmaggs
trippy