Focusing primarily on instrumental composition and playing, Kottke also sings sporadically, in an unconventional yet expressive baritone described by himself as sounding like "geese farts on a muggy day".[1] In concert, Kottke intersperses humorous and often bizarre monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from throughout his career, played solo on 6- and 12-string guitars.
Flattened Brain
Leo Kottke Lyrics
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A couple trees, a smooth road
The weather changed, a little rain
A hidden curve, a flattened brain
I knew her once, just a friend
She helped me out, I loved her then
The weather changed, and love got old
After that, she called me up
She say I'm sorry, and I'd hang up
I saw her once, some parking lot
I smiled, I waved, she did not
Now she's gone and I don't know when
I loved her more, I loved her then
I loved her then.
The opening lines of Leo Kottke's song "Flattened Brain" present a melancholy mood that sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The songwriter paints a picture of a beautiful day through the imagery of a smooth road, a couple of trees, and cruise control. However, when the weather changed, it is evident that the events about to be narrated took a dark turn. Unexpectedly, a hidden curve sends the singer crashing, leading to a flattened brain - a gruesome metaphor for a terrible fate.
The next verse takes a turn from the literal interpretation and dives deep into the singer's past love life. The lyrics paint a picture of a past romantic partner that once helped him and a former friend that he fell in love with. The story takes a dark turn in the line "The weather changed, and love got old," hinting at the deterioration of the relationship. This decline is parallel to the earlier scenario, where the weather changed, leading to the crash.
In the third and final verse, the singer receives a call from his past lover apologizing for some wrongdoings. However, the singer, seemingly tired of the whole ordeal, hangs up. The last lines of the song echo his regrets and unresolved emotions towards the lost love. By saying "Now she's gone, and I don't know when, I loved her more, I loved her then," the songwriter leaves the listener with a sense of longing and melancholy, making the listener feel empathy for the singer's loss.
Line by Line Meaning
A sunny day, cruise control
Driving along smoothly, everything is going well and easy
A couple trees, a smooth road
Peaceful surroundings, good conditions for driving
The weather changed, a little rain
Unexpected changes causing some discomfort and trouble
A hidden curve, a flattened brain
The sudden and unexpected change caused an accident, mentally traumatizing the person and leaving them with a flattened perspective on life
I knew her once, just a friend
Once, many moons ago, I had a relationship with someone who was essentially a friend only
She helped me out, I loved her then
She had a positive impact on my life and for a while, I loved her for that
But she got tired, and I got cold
Eventually, she became tired of helping me and I became distant and unfeeling towards her
The weather changed, and love got old
Things change over time, and love can fade away when the right conditions are not maintained
After that, she called me up
Some time after, she reached out to me
She say I'm sorry, and I'd hang up
She apologized for what had happened, but I wasn't willing to listen or forgive at the time
I saw her once, some parking lot
A chance meeting in a random location where vehicles park
I smiled, I waved, she did not
I greeted her with happy familiarity, but she didn't respond in kind
Now she's gone and I don't know when
She has since left my life and I'm not certain when or why
I loved her more, I loved her then
Looking back, I realize I loved her more in the past than I ever did after that
I loved her then.
A final thought of loving memories from the past
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: LEO KOTTKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind