Unsingable Name
Mike Doughty Lyrics


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I want to be your absolute ultimate
Want to be your only one now
Feel the rays come up from your sulkiness
Feel the rays you radiate now

Sweet and plain,
Unsignable name
That rings in my mind now
That strums me like a string
Chime, unsingable name
Over everything.

Beware the thrum of hearts in your presence and
Watch the breeze that snaps at you now
All the dogs that bark from the fences and
Everything is wanting for you

Smirk on the face and fists in the clenches and
Make the radiator blow now
Crack the planks and shatter the lenses and
Mix the salt, the sugar, and flour

Slushing, sleeting through the blue gloom
Some long bell's lonely ring
Chime, unsingable name
Over everything

I want to see the mountains in silhouette
Want to split for Singapore now
Want to see the mystery trees
Want to hear the womanly sound.





I want to see the mystery trees.
I want to hear the womanly sound.

Overall Meaning

The song "Unsingable Name" by Mike Doughty depicts a longing for someone to be the ultimate and only one for him. He wants to feel the radiation of the person and their sulkiness which is expressed through the rays that come up from it. The chorus of the song, "Sweet and plain, Unsingable name, That rings in my mind now, That strums me like a string, Chime, unsingable name, Over everything." describes the allure of the person's name that is sweet and plain but also unsingable. It rings in his mind now as it strums like a string and his thoughts revolve around them. The unsingable name rings over everything, meaning that it is always on his mind.


The second verse of the song describes the captivating presence of the person, warning of the thrum of hearts in their presence and the breeze that snaps at them. The chorus is repeated with more intensity, and the bridge of the song talks about how everything is wanting for the person. The imagery within the song is potent, with the person's presence being so strong that it makes the radiator blow, cracks the planks, and shatters the lenses.


In the final verse, the singer expresses his desire to see the mountains in silhouette, split for Singapore, and see the mystery trees. He wants to hear the womanly sound, which could be interpreted in various ways but may refer to the captivating voice of a woman. The song encapsulates the idea of longing and desire for a person and the power of their presence.


Line by Line Meaning

I want to be your absolute ultimate
I desire to be your utmost desire and necessity


Want to be your only one now
I aspire to be your sole and exclusive companion


Feel the rays come up from your sulkiness
I sense the warmth emanating from your sulking mood


Feel the rays you radiate now
I perceive the energy and vibes you are emitting at the moment


Sweet and plain,
Simple yet delightful


Unsignable name
A name impossible to sing or articulate due to its uniqueness


That rings in my mind now
That resounds and echoes in my thoughts currently


That strums me like a string
That moves and touches me emotionally, like a vibrating string


Chime, unsingable name
The unpronounceable name sounds like a ringing chime


Over everything.
Above and beyond all else


Beware the thrum of hearts in your presence and
Be cautious of the beating hearts in your vicinity and how they may react to you


Watch the breeze that snaps at you now
Be mindful of the gusts of wind that could suddenly strike you


All the dogs that bark from the fences and
Take heed of the canines that bark from behind the barriers and how they might be drawn to you


Everything is wanting for you
Everything and everyone desires you, eagerly awaiting your attention and affection


Smirk on the face and fists in the clenches and
A mischievous smile on the countenance and fists tightly clenched in anticipation


Make the radiator blow now
Cause the heating system to malfunction or explode in a burst of heat


Crack the planks and shatter the lenses and
Break apart the wooden boards and smash the glass panes


Mix the salt, the sugar, and flour
Blend together the sodium chloride, sucrose, and wheat powder


Slushing, sleeting through the blue gloom
Snow and sleet falling heavily through the dim and gloomy atmosphere


Some long bell's lonely ring
The melancholic tolling of a distant church bell


Chime, unsingable name
The indescribable name resonates like a striking bell


Over everything
Above all else


I want to see the mountains in silhouette
I yearn to witness the outline of the majestic peaks


Want to split for Singapore now
I desire to depart for the nation-state of Singapore immediately


Want to see the mystery trees
I long to observe the enigmatic trees


Want to hear the womanly sound.
I wish to listen to feminine voices and sounds




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MIKE DOUGHTY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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