Upside Down
Martha Jane & the Talisman Lyrics

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Upside down in the room
Clouds on the ground
Water your books
Plants up with their roots
Upside down in the room
The oldest brand new
That's how I see you
That's how I see you

Upside down in the room
You're under the couch
With your feet up
Eyes under your mouth
Upside down in the room
The oldest brand new
That's how I see you
That's how I see you
Upside down in the room
I fly to the ground
All your kind words
They can't bring me down
We’re down in the room
The warmth of the moon
That's how I see you
That's how I see you
The world is reversed again
Repeat the seasons
So we turn again
In circles and circles
and circles and circles
I like to kiss you again and again
For the first time
Now please understand
We’re down in the room
The warmth of the moon
That's how I see you
That's how I see you
The world is reversed again
Repeat the seasons
So we turn again
Come on let’s change again
And keep repeating so we turn again

In circles and circles
And circles and circles

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Martha Jane & the Talisman's song "Upside Down" evoke a sense of disorientation and transformation, with the imagery of being upside down in a room setting the stage for a surreal and dreamlike experience. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song could signify a feeling of being out of place or out of sync with one's surroundings, as if everything has been turned on its head. This could also symbolize a departure from conventional or familiar modes of perception, inviting the listener to see the world from a new and unconventional perspective.

The references to clouds on the ground and watering books, as well as plants growing with their roots up, further emphasize the theme of inversion and disruption of established norms. This could suggest a departure from traditional ways of thinking and experiencing the world, instead embracing the unexpected and the unconventional. The juxtaposition of the oldest being new and the world being reversed again speaks to the idea of cyclical renewal and transformation, where even the most familiar elements can be seen in a fresh light.

The lyrics also touch on themes of intimacy and connection, with the references to kissing and feeling the warmth of the moon creating a sense of closeness and affection. The repeated lines "That's how I see you" suggest a personal and intimate perspective on the person being addressed in the song, highlighting a deep emotional connection and understanding. The idea of repeating seasons and turning in circles could symbolize the cyclical nature of relationships and experiences, with each repetition bringing a new layer of meaning and depth.

Overall, "Upside Down" by Martha Jane & the Talisman conveys a sense of fluidity and openness to change, embracing the unexpected and finding beauty in the unconventional. The song invites the listener to see the world from a different angle, to embrace transformation and renewal, and to find connection and intimacy in the midst of life's ever-changing cycles.

Line by Line Meaning

Upside down in the room
Viewing things from a different perspective inside the room

Clouds on the ground
Seeing the unexpected or unusual below you

Water your books
Nourishing your mind with knowledge and wisdom

Plants up with their roots
Growing strong and grounded from the foundation up

The oldest brand new
Recognizing the timeless beauty in new experiences

That's how I see you
Perceiving the true essence of who you are

You're under the couch
Hidden or unseen, but still present and comfortable

With your feet up
Relaxed and at ease in your surroundings

Eyes under your mouth
Expressing yourself through actions rather than words

I fly to the ground
Finding grounding and stability despite soaring high

All your kind words
Being uplifted by the positive words of others