Pulp Fiction
Motion City Soundtrack Lyrics


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Smoke and mirrors and everything nice
I wasn't married to the weekend I was banking? on the back end

Kamazaki and Miami Vice
She shook a few of my favorite things

Like Coke n' egger
I couldn't keep it all together
I was spookin' in the end zone

Origato, go go gadget arms
She only took me for 10,000 yen

It's like a bad dream, something from the back of a magazine
Black and white and cheaply put together like a slasher film
Torn in opposite directions
The plot sucks but the killings are gorgeous
God damn, these killings are gorgeous

Darkened corners at every bend
I wasn't sucking down the poison, I was working on the QT
Shaky shaky all over the world
She tried to cartwheel at every turn
The creepy calls, a case of revenge
I had the martyrs that I bartered from the barons with the bandoleers
Karaoke, a feminine flaw, I had a feeling this was not the end

It's like a bad dream, something from the back of a magazine
Black and white and cheaply put together like a slasher film
Torn in opposite directions
The plot sucks but the killings are gorgeous
A wicked (working?) nightmare, covering the tracks that had brought you there
The plot sucks but the killings are gorgeous

Cave in, cave out, nothing but nervous doubt
Waiting for the big bang to get me
Cave in, cave out, nothing but nervous doubt
Waiting for the big bang to get me
Waiting for the big bang

Wrapped in plastic, we all get the ends
She had to take it to the majors, couldn't keep it on the down low
"Silly rabbit, good dream tambien"
Another stiff at the scene of the crime

It's like a bad dream, something from the back of a magazine
Black and white and cheaply put together like a slasher film
Torn in opposite directions
The plot sucks but the killings are gorgeous
A wicked (working?) nightmare, covering the tracks that had brought you there
Paranoid and frozen in the heavens like a slasher film
Torn in opposite directions




The plot sucks but the killings are gorgeous
God damn, these killings are gorgeous

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Motion City Soundtrack's song "Pulp Fiction" contain various references to pop culture and dark themes, alluding to a bad dream or nightmare that is cheaply put together like a slasher film. There are references to the TV show Miami Vice, a Japanese word meaning "thank you" (origato), and the cartoon character Inspector Gadget. The line "Smoke and mirrors and everything nice" suggests that things may not be as they seem and that there is a level of deception involved.


The chorus repeatedly states that the "plot sucks but the killings are gorgeous," which could be interpreted as a nod to the classic slasher genre of horror movies. There are also references to revenge and crime scenes, such as "Another stiff at the scene of the crime." The line "Wrapped in plastic, we all get the ends" brings to mind the iconic image of Laura Palmer's body in David Lynch's TV show Twin Peaks.


The lyrics are cryptic and open to interpretation, but the overall feeling is one of unease, paranoia, and a dreamlike state that blurs the line between reality and fiction.


Line by Line Meaning

Smoke and mirrors and everything nice
This situation is all make-believe and artificially created to appear pleasant and perfect.


I wasn't married to the weekend I was banking? on the back end
I wasn't enjoying the weekend, but rather was counting on it for future gains or rewards.


Kamazaki and Miami Vice
References to cultural symbols, invoking a feeling of being out of place in reality.


She shook a few of my favorite things
Her presence disrupted my personal comforts.


Like Coke n' egger
A nonsensical phrase, perhaps referencing an odd combination of elements or an incomplete thought.


I couldn't keep it all together
I was struggling with staying in control or maintaining composure.


I was spookin' in the end zone
I was scared and unsure of how to proceed or protect myself.


Origato, go go gadget arms
Another nonsensical reference, invoking a feeling of confusion or disorientation.


She only took me for 10,000 yen
She took advantage of me, using my vulnerability or naivete to benefit herself.


It's like a bad dream, something from the back of a magazine
This situation feels surreal and unpleasant, like a nightmare or a trashy magazine story.


Black and white and cheaply put together like a slasher film
The situation is visually or aesthetically unappealing and cheap, like a low-budget horror movie.


Torn in opposite directions
Pulled in two different ways and feeling unable to reconcile those opposing forces.


The plot sucks but the killings are gorgeous
The violent actions themselves are despicable, but they are presented in a way that is visually or artistically stunning.


God damn, these killings are gorgeous
A repetition of the previous sentiment, emphasizing the aesthetic appeal of the violence.


Darkened corners at every bend
Feeling surrounded by danger and uncertainty, with no clear way forward.


I wasn't sucking down the poison, I was working on the QT
I wasn't intentionally harming myself, but I was still acting in secret and possibly in ways that could be harmful.


Shaky shaky all over the world
Feeling restless and uneasy, without any sense of stability or grounding.


She tried to cartwheel at every turn
She was trying to show off or impress, even in inappropriate or dangerous situations.


The creepy calls, a case of revenge
Some sort of vengeful or threatening behavior, perhaps in response to something done wrong in the past.


I had the martyrs that I bartered from the barons with the bandoleers
Unclear, but possibly referencing a situation of violence or oppression, and suggesting that the artist had received some sort of reward or recognition for their participation.


Karaoke, a feminine flaw, I had a feeling this was not the end
Unclear, but possibly referencing some sort of weakness or superficiality (such as karaoke), and suggesting that the situation is not yet resolved or ended.


A wicked (working?) nightmare, covering the tracks that had brought you there
The situation is horrifying and perhaps impossible to escape, with consequences following actions taken in the past.


Paranoid and frozen in the heavens like a slasher film
Feeling trapped, unable to move or act, like a victim in a horror movie.


God damn, these killings are gorgeous
A repetition of the previous sentiment, emphasizing the aesthetic appeal of the violence.


Cave in, cave out, nothing but nervous doubt
Feeling trapped and anxious, with no clear way to escape or move forward.


Waiting for the big bang to get me
Unclear, but possibly referencing a sense of anticipation or expectation for some sort of dramatic event or outcome.


Wrapped in plastic, we all get the ends
We will all eventually face death or an ending of some sort, regardless of how we live our lives.


She had to take it to the majors, couldn't keep it on the down low
She had to escalate the situation or make it more public, instead of keeping it private or contained.


"Silly rabbit, good dream tambien"
Another untranslatable phrase, perhaps meant to suggest some sort of confusion or chaos.


Another stiff at the scene of the crime
Another victim or dead body added to the ongoing violence or horror.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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