It's Working
MGMT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I can see your faces
The eyes are wrong
How will I know if it's working right?
Light confuses
The tiny isles of bruises
I see the signs of aging
But if I try to feel at all I am deceived
My mind's affected
It's empty now
As I lay down
I feel alright
My heart is racing
Turn the noise on
I'd like to feed my poison
Assembly lines
Carry a velvet warning
To the yard
It's just like striking matches
The polish lies
But it's working in your blood
Which you know is not the same as love
Love is only in your mind
And not your heart
No, it's working
It's working in your blood
Which you know is not the same as love
Love is only in your mind and not your heart
It's working in your blood
Which you know is not the same as love
Love is only in your mind and not your heart
It's working in your blood
Which you know is not the same as love
Love is only in your mind and not your heart
The opening of "It's Working" describes the singer's desire to understand and connect with those around him. He asks those around him to focus so he can make out their faces. But the "eyes are wrong." Despite his best efforts, he feels disconnected and confused. The theme of confusion and disorientation continues throughout the song.
The singer sings about the way light confuses and the way aging changes the body. At times, he seems to touch on the idea of drug use, as he mentions "poison" and "assembly lines." He recognizes that his mind is affected and empty. Yet, as he lays down, he feels alright β his heart racing with excitement.
The chorus seems to capture the central message of the song, which is that whatever is happening β whatever "it" is β it's working. But the singer recognizes that this is a different feeling than love. The song suggests that our minds and hearts are separate, that we can feel something working inside us that isn't necessarily love. Overall, "It's Working" captures a sense of confusion and uncertainty, as the singer tries to make sense of the world around him and the feelings inside him.
Line by Line Meaning
Here, you focus
Right now, please pay close attention and concentrate
So I can see your faces
I want to see your facial expressions to know how you're feeling
The eyes are wrong
Facial expressions can be misleading or insincere
How will I know if it's working right?
I'm not sure if what I'm doing is effective or successful
Light confuses
Too much brightness might be disorienting or unclear
The tiny isles of bruises
Small areas of injury or damage can accumulate and have an impact
The mangled lines
Complicated or distorted patterns can be hard to decipher
I see the signs of aging
I'm becoming aware of my own mortality or the passing of time
But if I try to feel at all I am deceived
When I attempt to connect emotionally, I'm often misled or mistaken
My mind's affected
My thoughts or cognition are being influenced or altered
It's empty now
I'm experiencing a sense of vacancy or hollowness
As I lay down
While I'm resting or recumbent
I feel alright
I'm not experiencing discomfort or pain, but I'm not necessarily content either
My heart is racing
I'm experiencing an elevated heart rate or nervousness
Turn the noise on
I want to increase the volume or intensity of my surroundings
I'd like to feed my poison
I want to indulge in something harmful or detrimental
Assembly lines
Mechanical or repetitive production processes
Carry a velvet warning
A message of caution or danger may be conveyed discreetly or subtly
To the yard
To an open or outdoor space
It's just like striking matches
Experiencing a rush or a sudden burst of intense energy
The polish lies
The appearance or facade is deceptive or false
But it's working in your blood
Although it may not be healthy or beneficial, it's still having an effect on you
Which you know is not the same as love
This sensation or influence is not equivalent to genuine affection
Love is only in your mind
Romantic feelings are often cerebral or intellectual
And not your heart
Emotions are not necessarily rooted in the physical organ of the heart
No, it's working
Despite the potential negative consequences or dubious nature of its effects, it is still functional or operational
It's working in your blood
Although it may not be healthy or beneficial, it's still having an effect on you
Which you know is not the same as love
This sensation or influence is not equivalent to genuine affection
Love is only in your mind and not your heart
Romantic feelings are often cerebral or intellectual and not necessarily rooted in the physical organ of the heart
It's working in your blood
Although it may not be healthy or beneficial, it's still having an effect on you
Which you know is not the same as love
This sensation or influence is not equivalent to genuine affection
Love is only in your mind and not your heart
Romantic feelings are often cerebral or intellectual and not necessarily rooted in the physical organ of the heart
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW WELLS VANWYNGARDEN, BENJAMIN NICHOLAS HUNTER GOLDWASSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@knittedgandhi4956
Syd was simply part of the exposure of One Vibrational Consciousness.
IΒ guess I'm c.20yrs older than you (Pulling Rank, SIRΒ ;). I spent my 'Youuuff' @ the Roundhouse and saw Syd, and shared a ciggie outside, many times with him, (& my mate, Pete Shotten's little brother,Β Dave, played tambourine on Hey JudeΒ at Abbey Road).
I unplugged many years ago... I am Syd. You are Syd. You are John L., I am John L..
We are ALL "One Vibrational Consciousness". You are MGMT. What's the Big deal.Β A child under 5yrs "dies" every 3 seconds of preventable poverty somewhere on what we/you call Planet Earth.
Wake up... It's all a charade!!
You are One Consciousness, formed at the moment of Creation (Scientific...not supernatural!). Enjoy the ride of momentary, depleting, bliss!!Β
Grasp this and, like Neo in The Matrix, you can FLY!!
You can...
Don't be bound! unplug from MSM and "TV".
Reality isΒ you!Β Trust me.
(n.b. My internet gets deleted 2x a week by UK Gov... Simply for exposing the charade (as above) )
Enjoy.... my limb. Enjoy. Truly let go and enjoy the eternal bliss of perpetual death, (&Β strive for good grammar).
@DeineMudda313313
Here, you focus
So I can see your faces
The eyes are wrong
How will I know if it's working right?
Light confuses
The tiny isles of bruises
The mangled lines
I see the signs of aging
But if I try to feel at all I am deceived
My mind's affected
It's empty now
As I lay down
I feel alright
My heart is racing
Turn the noise on
I'd like to feed my poison
Assembly lines
Carry a velvet warning
To the yard
It's just like striking matches
The polish lies
But it's working in your blood
Which you know is not the same as love
Love is only in your mind
And not your heart
No, it's working
It's working in your blood
Which you know is not the same as love
Love is only in your mind and not your heart
@Davidbasque15
When I first heard Congratulation I didn't really understand, I didn't really like it. Then after listening to it more and more I understood how good it was. It's a very good album, it has it's own style and the songs are all so refreshing.
@byron2521
As an old dude that grew up in the 70s and 80s, I still love a lot of 21st cent. bands. MGMT is one I have liked for years. Just here to say this should not shock the young millennials, this song and many of their song have a retro-sound. This is very 60s psychedelic pop. When I hear songs like this, I can't help but think of early Pink Floyd (60s Syd Barrett days).
@isaacness2647
For some reason, i get a lot of beach boys vibes in this recording too.
@robertdominguez6002
according to Ben and Andrew, this song was inspired structure-wise by "See Emily Play"
@byron2521
I can see that. That is the particular Pink Floyd song it reminds me of.
@haikalfauzi_
- Joseph go find on your own
@knittedgandhi4956
Syd was simply part of the exposure of One Vibrational Consciousness.
IΒ guess I'm c.20yrs older than you (Pulling Rank, SIRΒ ;). I spent my 'Youuuff' @ the Roundhouse and saw Syd, and shared a ciggie outside, many times with him, (& my mate, Pete Shotten's little brother,Β Dave, played tambourine on Hey JudeΒ at Abbey Road).
I unplugged many years ago... I am Syd. You are Syd. You are John L., I am John L..
We are ALL "One Vibrational Consciousness". You are MGMT. What's the Big deal.Β A child under 5yrs "dies" every 3 seconds of preventable poverty somewhere on what we/you call Planet Earth.
Wake up... It's all a charade!!
You are One Consciousness, formed at the moment of Creation (Scientific...not supernatural!). Enjoy the ride of momentary, depleting, bliss!!Β
Grasp this and, like Neo in The Matrix, you can FLY!!
You can...
Don't be bound! unplug from MSM and "TV".
Reality isΒ you!Β Trust me.
(n.b. My internet gets deleted 2x a week by UK Gov... Simply for exposing the charade (as above) )
Enjoy.... my limb. Enjoy. Truly let go and enjoy the eternal bliss of perpetual death, (&Β strive for good grammar).
@Guidonator181
"It's just like striking matches" is one of my favourite moments on this album, which, incidentally, is one of my favourite moments in music of all time.
@ongogablogian3178
If you're still alive and here with us my dude striking matches is very satisfying so I don't blame you for liking the lyric a lot
@starlitsky4156
You wound me ππ