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.
When You're Small
MGMT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And troubles seem so far
You put your belly up to the bar
Squint your eyes
You can almost miss the dirt
You tell yourself
It couldn't hurt
You can't walk down the hall
When you're small
You're not very big at all
When you're low
You reach a certain point
Where you can't really see the point
You can try
But you can't see eye to eye
Yet when you're low then you really know
But when you're high
It's easier to fight
When you're high
You don't have to know why
When you're small
You don't have very far to fall
When you're small
You feel like you belong
When you're small
You can curl into a ball
When you're small
No you're not very big at all
The song 'When You're Small' by MGMT talks about the differences in perspectives and experiences from being big or small. The opening lines invite the listener to imagine the complacency that comes with being big and the ability to miss the small details or dirt. It suggests that it's easier to be content with oneself when you're big, and hence, the idea of getting into a "belly up to the bar" position. However, the perspective changes when you're small. The lyrics suggest that when you're small, you feel limited, and even walking down the hall can be difficult. Being small makes you feel insignificant, and every task seems impossible to overcome.
The second verse talks about being low and how everything seems pointless. There's a sense of hopelessness and despair that comes with being low. The lyrics suggest that it's hard to communicate effectively with others when you're low, and it's easier to give up. However, the situation becomes slightly better when you're high. There's a sense of confidence and strength that comes with being high. It's easier to fight when you're high, and knowing why is not so important.
In summary, the song describes the differences between perspectives and experiences that come with being big or small, low or high. It suggests that being small or low can feel limiting and insignificant, while being big or high can be complacent and lacking in detail.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're big
When you are successful or powerful
And troubles seem so far
It seems like you have no worries
You put your belly up to the bar
You become comfortable and confident
Squint your eyes
You ignore flaws or problems
You can almost miss the dirt
You overlook the negative aspects
You tell yourself
You convince yourself
It couldn't hurt
It is not going to do any harm if you ignore
But when you're small
When you are weak or insignificant
You can't walk down the hall
Small things can hinder your progress
When you're low
When you are feeling depressed or down
You reach a certain point
You reach a limit
Where you can't really see the point
You can't see the purpose or meaning
You can try
You can attempt to understand
But you can't see eye to eye
You cannot comprehend fully
Yet when you're low then you really know
You understand better when you are feeling low
But when you're high
When you are happy or successful
It's easier to fight
You can face challenges more easily
You don't have to know why
It doesn't matter why you are happy
You don't have very far to fall
When you are small, failure is not too far away
You feel like you belong
You are more comfortable when you are weak
You can curl into a ball
You can hide or avoid problems
No you're not very big at all
You are weak or insignificant
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andrew VanWyngarden, Ben Goldwasser, James Richardson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind