Monsters of Folk originally came together in 2004 and toured as Bright Eyes, with Jim James and M. Ward, and developed the name Monsters of Folk while on tour. The band released their self-titled debut album on September 22, 2009 on Shangri-La Music.
Ahead Of The Curve
Monsters of Folk Lyrics
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They keep piling up
I got happiness
That I can't maintain so beginner's luck
I had shoes to fill
Walkin' barefoot now
Can't tell north from south
I'm stayin' above the flat line
I'm ahead of the curve
Take a piece of the sunshine with me
On a red eye flight to another world
It isn't any trouble
If you wanna come with me
I know it's out of the question, honey
But I sure could use the company
And a place to be
Now the sky is pink
Rooftop swimmin' pool
I'm not carefree, no
I'm free to care, I just never do
All the bags are checked
And the reasons why
Yesterday lingers on
That's the peace you keep when you say goodbye
You can get what you want now
Knock it out of the park
Bury it by the river
Easy, there's a search party but it's gettin' dark
I won't hold you to nothin'
I wanna make that plane
Probably end up a stranger, crazy
But I'm still hoping there's another way
And a place to stay
What a scene has got you sentimental
When the night comes, when the night comes loose
All the things you've put up on the mantle
What a shame, what a shame it's old news
I'm stayin' above the flat line
I'm ahead of the curve
Take a piece of the sunshine with me
On an all night drive to another world
You can get what you want now
Knock it out of the park
Probably end up a drifter, lonely
But I'm still hoping for a change of heart
And a place, a place, a place to start
In Monsters of Folk's song "Ahead of the Curve," the singer reflects on the fleeting nature of happiness and the search for meaning in life. The opening lines set the tone - the singer acknowledges that they have had many "perfect" days, but that happiness always seems to slip away. It's "beginner's luck" that they can't maintain the feeling. The singer then reflects on feeling lost, both geographically ("Can't tell north from south") and emotionally ("I'm not carefree, no / I'm free to care, I just never do").
The chorus serves as a kind of mantra for the singer - they proclaim that they are "stayin' above the flat line" and "ahead of the curve." There's a sense of determination here, like the singer is trying to overcome the cycles of disappointment and find a way to live a fulfilling life. They imagine escaping on a "red eye flight to another world" and invite someone to come with them, though they know it's unlikely.
The song contains a lot of vivid imagery and contrasts - the "pink" sky and "rooftop swimmin' pool" against the more troubling emotions of the singer. There's a sense of restlessness and discontent, but also a possibility for change. The final lines suggest that the singer is willing to take a risk to find their place in the world, even if it means becoming a "drifter, lonely."
Line by Line Meaning
Another perfect day
The day is good and perfect just like the previous one.
They keep piling up
These perfect days seem to keep happening frequently.
I got happiness
I am content and happy at the moment.
That I can't maintain so beginner's luck
This happiness will not last long, similar to beginner's luck.
I had shoes to fill
There were expectations that I needed to meet.
Walkin' barefoot now
I am in a new situation where I am vulnerable, barefoot.
Can't tell north from south
I do not know which direction to take.
But no split hairs gonna get me down
I am not letting small issues affect my outlook.
I'm stayin' above the flat line
I am keeping my head above water, not getting too low.
I'm ahead of the curve
I am ahead of the expected path others take.
Take a piece of the sunshine with me
I want to keep the good vibes with me.
On a red eye flight to another world
Leaving on a late night flight to another place.
It isn't any trouble
It is not a problem for a companion to come with me.
If you wanna come with me
You are welcome to join me.
I know it's out of the question, honey
I am aware it may not be possible for you to come.
But I sure could use the company
It would be nice to have someone with me on this journey.
And a place to be
A place for us to stay would be ideal.
Now the sky is pink
The sky is a beautiful pink color.
Rooftop swimmin' pool
There is a swimming pool on the roof.
I'm not carefree
I am not completely without worries.
No, I'm free to care, I just never do
I am capable of caring, but it is not something I do often.
All the bags are checked
All luggage has been taken care of.
And the reasons why
I understand why things have to be the way they are.
Yesterday lingers on
The past still has an effect on me.
That's the peace you keep when you say goodbye
Peace is obtained when you are able to accept goodbyes.
You can get what you want now
You have the means to achieve whatever you desire.
Knock it out of the park
Do your best and excel.
Bury it by the river
Dispose of it away from here.
Easy, there's a search party but it's gettin' dark
Be discreet, people are looking.
I won't hold you to nothin'
You are not obligated to anything.
I wanna make that plane
I want to catch that flight.
Probably end up a stranger, crazy
I might end up being a stranger or considered crazy.
But I'm still hoping there's another way
I still hold out hope for a different outcome.
And a place to stay
I need a place to stay.
What a scene has got you sentimental
Something is causing you to feel emotional.
When the night comes, when the night comes loose
At night, emotions seem to run wild.
All the things you've put up on the mantle
Things that you have cherished and displayed.
What a shame, what a shame it's old news
It is a shame that they are no longer newsworthy.
On an all night drive to another world
Driving all night to get to a new place.
Probably end up a drifter, lonely
Perhaps I might become a drifter, a solitary figure.
But I'm still hoping for a change of heart
I still hope to have a change of perspective.
And a place, a place, a place to start
A place for me to start anew would make things easier.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CONOR M OBERST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@estix76
Another perfect day
They keep piling up
I got happiness
That I can't maintain so beginner's luck
I had shoes to fill
Walkin' barefoot now
Can't tell north from south
But no split hairs gonna get me down
I'm stayin' above the flat line
I'm ahead of the curve
Take a piece of the sunshine with me
On a red eye flight to another world
It isn't any trouble
If you wanna come with me
I know it's out of the question, honey
But I sure could use the company
And a place to be
Now the sky is pink
Rooftop swimmin' pool
I'm not carefree, no
I'm free to care, I just never do
All the bags are checked
And the reasons why
Yesterday lingers on
That's the peace you keep when you say goodbye
You can get what you want now
Knock it out of the park
Bury it by the river
Easy, there's a search party but it's gettin' dark
I won't hold you to nothin'
I wanna make that plane
Probably end up a stranger, crazy
But I'm still hoping there's another way
And a place to stay
What a scene has got you sentimental
When the night comes, when the night comes loose
All the things you've put up on the mantle
What a shame, what a shame it's old news
I'm stayin' above the flat line
I'm ahead of the curve
Take a piece of the sunshine with me
On an all night drive to another world
You can get what you want now
Knock it out of the park
Probably end up a drifter, lonely
But I'm still hoping for a change of heart
And a place, a place, a place to start
@savannahjackson338
Still here for it in 2023 <3
@simonstopher5212
It's just so mellow, catchy and endlessly replayable, makes it's way onto my very competitive top 10 songs of all time :)
@danielj5650
it's a real hidden gem
@bennetsi
What are other 9?
@michaelnone6322
@@simonstopher5212 thanks
@waynebollman
It's for sure my favorite MOF song. In my top 50 of all time I would say.
@rondahettinger1885
The depth of Conor Oberst& who ever he pairs with is infinit
@todd8008
The whole song is about things being fucked up, confused, and backwards. That line is basically the entire song in a nutshell.
@Nickee_Sonicjinn
Even though I saw the cover of this album, I just doubted why the guy on the right upper corner looks so similar to Jim James. I found out these guys are those super musical geniuses we've known finally. How slow I am! -.-" I'm just so thrilled to hear these four guys get together under one name. Gorgeous!
@augustusclothing
Why is this whole album not on Spotify? :( I love it so much I want to listen to it more!