The self-titled debut album "Major Parkinson" was released on the 25. august 2008 and received good reviews in norwegian day press.
The Age Of The Paranoia
Major Parkinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here comes the paranoia
Here comes the pityful joy
We used to sing when we were happy
like the pigs in the poke
My baby's gonna take me out dancing
I feel it everywhere
Supersonic, catatonic patterns in between despair
of everything pure in this world
And it's hard not to be seen
when you're rushing down the stream
So if you hear me don't you panic
It's all swell
They're going to take us away from here
I know the end is near
Here comes the paranoia
Gunshots, mockery chants, pineapples, porcupines
and Pasadena pillows of kashmere skin
to make me feel all right
Don't forget the tranquilizers
ice cream, crackers and care
NyQuils, a bottle of tequila
and a head for my hair
And it's hard not to be seen
when you're rushing down the stream
So if you hear me don't you panic
It's all swell
They're going to take us away from here
I know the end is near
Ready to take the blow!
Here comes the paranoia
Lonely days of joy and laughter
added up in the equation
I can see the substance of it all
Beyond the paranoia, white is turning black
everytime I stare into the TV
karma supernova is looking back
"The Age of the Paranoia" by Major Parkinson is a song about the fear, uncertainty, and doubt that come with living in a world where everything seems to be falling apart. The lyric "Here comes the paranoia, here comes the pitiful joy" sets the tone for the song, indicating a sense of ambivalence in the face of chaos. The singer reminisces about the past when they were happy and carefree, "We used to sing when we were happy like the pigs in the poke, My baby's gonna take me out dancing." However, that innocence is long gone, and now the world is full of danger and confusion.
The paranoia is described as being all-encompassing, "I feel it everywhere, supersonic, catatonic patterns in between despair, of everything pure in this world." The singer feels as though there is no escape from it, as they rush down a stream that is leading them towards an inevitable, unknown end. The only way to cope with this overwhelming sense of fear, according to the song, is to turn to medication, both prescribed and self-medicated, "Don't forget the tranquilizers, ice cream, crackers, and care, NyQuils, a bottle of tequila, and a head for my hair."
The final lyric "Beyond the paranoia, white is turning black every time I stare into the TV, karma supernova is looking back," suggests that the root of the paranoia is the disillusionment with the media and the powers that be. The song speaks to the idea that the world is a confusing, frightening place, driven by forces that we cannot control, and the only way to survive is to find a way to cope.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the paranoia
The feeling of intense fear and anxiety is beginning to arise
Here comes the pityful joy
Mixed feelings of sorrow and happiness are starting to surface
We used to sing when we were happy
In the past, singing was a sign of joy and contentment
like the pigs in the poke
As carefree and naive as being kept in a bag like a pig
My baby's gonna take me out dancing
Despite the feelings of paranoia, there is still hope for enjoyment
I feel it everywhere
The paranoia is spreading all over and all-encompassing
Supersonic, catatonic patterns in between despair
The feeling of being overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness and depression
of everything pure in this world
This includes even the most innocent and unassuming aspects of life
And it's hard not to be seen
It is difficult to go unnoticed in the midst of all the confusion
when you're rushing down the stream
Especially when one is caught up in the flow of events
So if you hear me don't you panic
Do not be alarmed by the singer's experiences
It's all swell
Everything is going to be alright
They're going to take us away from here
There is hope for relief from the current state of paranoia
I know the end is near
There is a sense of foreboding that the situation will soon be over
Gunshots, mockery chants, pineapples, porcupines
The singer is struggling to make sense of the disordered reality surrounding them
and Pasadena pillows of kashmere skin
Soft and comfortable distractions are used as a coping mechanism
to make me feel all right
These distractions provide temporary relief from the paranoia
Don't forget the tranquilizers
Prescription medication is also used to alleviate the symptoms of paranoia
ice cream, crackers and care
Comfort food and attention from loved ones also help to soothe the singer's distress
NyQuils, a bottle of tequila
Other methods of self-medication include alcohol and over-the-counter medicine
and a head for my hair
Simple health and hygiene practices can also be helpful in managing anxiety
Lonely days of joy and laughter
The mixed feelings experienced by the artist can be quite isolating
added up in the equation
These experiences combine to create a complex and confusing situation
I can see the substance of it all
Despite the confusion, there is still a sense of clarity at the center of things
Beyond the paranoia, white is turning black
In the midst of all the chaos, the singer is beginning to see that things are not as they seem
everytime I stare into the TV
The singer is starting to question the messages they are receiving from the media
karma supernova is looking back
There is a sense of the universe and the consequences of one's actions being intertwined
Contributed by Ian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.