Band members:
Andrew VanWyngarden (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums)
Ben Goldwasser (keyboards, vocals, guitar)
Matthew Asti (bass, keyboards)
James Richardson (guitar, vocals)
Hank Sullivant (guitar, keyboards)
Will Berman (drums)
You can learn more about MGMT, browse photos, and see the tour schedule at the Official Website.
Astro-Mancy
MGMT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could almost touch the free walls
When we were evicted from the heavens,
Fast clouded-over bumbling eyes
Now peering out through a sinking
Cosmic smile, reversed completely
Flaming currents forced us to surface,
Wet purple gowns and blaring alarms
Nothing the spooks wouldn't be used to
Spoiled by an empty fear of violence,
The only time I've ever been dropped
The minute the mirror turned its back to me
My distinct conviction of keeping
Eternal sources piled somewhere familiar
Was compromised and tangled in knots
For all I know we were sleeping,
Arranged like Fate's vain infantry,
Stacked in unconscious opposition,
Blind and happy for tomorrow.
The song Astro-Mancy by MGMT explores themes of displacement and loss of control. The opening lines, "My green silken river and two lights, I could almost touch the free walls," paints a picture of a serene and idyllic setting. However, this sense of peace and security is disrupted by an eviction from "the heavens," causing confusion and chaos. This displacement is further emphasized by the "cosmic smile, reversed completely" and the "flaming currents forced us to surface," suggesting a sense of being uprooted from place and time.
The sense of confusion and fear intensifies with the lines "blaring alarms" and "wet purple gowns," indicating potential danger and vulnerability. The mention of "milky perversion" and "spooks" adds a layer of sinister implications to the situation. The singer also shares a personal experience of being "dropped," likely a metaphor for feeling abandoned or betrayed in the face of danger.
The second half of the song delves deeper into themes of personal identity and the search for meaning. The line "The minute the mirror turned its back to me" suggests a loss of self-awareness or a challenge to one's self-image. This is followed by a struggle to balance the idea of "keeping eternal sources piled somewhere familiar" and the reality of feeling "compromised and tangled in knots." The final lines of the song seem to offer a glimpse of hope with the image of a happy and blind army, ready to face the uncertainty of the future.
Line by Line Meaning
My green silken river and two lights
The singer is describing an idyllic scene that includes a tranquil river and two distant points of light.
I could almost touch the free walls
The singer is so immersed in the peacefulness of the setting that they feel they could touch the walls that surround them.
When we were evicted from the heavens,
The peaceful scene was suddenly disrupted, and the singer feels as though they were cast out of a divine realm.
Fast clouded-over bumbling eyes
The artist's perception of the world became clouded and confused.
Now peering out through a sinking
The artist is now able to see their surroundings, but they feel as though they are sinking.
Cosmic smile, reversed completely
The once tranquil and peaceful atmosphere has now changed completely.
Flaming currents forced us to surface,
The change in atmosphere was caused by a dramatic external force.
Wet purple gowns and blaring alarms
The artist is surrounded by chaos and noise.
All for some milky perversion,
The reason for the sudden change is seemingly pointless and irrational.
Nothing the spooks wouldn't be used to
The artist feels like they are in a situation that would be familiar to ghosts or other supernatural entities.
Spoiled by an empty fear of violence,
The singer's sense of tranquility has been ruined by a baseless fear of danger.
The only time I've ever been dropped
The artist feels as though they have lost something important or have been let down in some way.
The minute the mirror turned its back to me
The singer is reflecting on a moment in which they felt as though they were left alone and disconnected from reality.
My distinct conviction of keeping
The singer had a strong belief or principle that they held onto.
Eternal sources piled somewhere familiar
The singer believed that they had access to infinite sources of inspiration and knowledge.
Was compromised and tangled in knots
The artist's beliefs and convictions became convoluted and confusing.
For all I know we were sleeping,
The artist is uncertain about what is real and what is not.
Arranged like Fate's vain infantry,
The singer feels as though they are being controlled by a higher power or force beyond their control.
Stacked in unconscious opposition,
The singer is in opposition to something, but they are not fully aware or conscious of what that is.
Blind and happy for tomorrow.
The artist is oblivious to what the future holds, but they remain content and at peace with this uncertainty.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW WELLS VANWYNGARDEN, BENJAMIN NICHOLAS HUNER GOLDWASSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind