Elverum explained this change in an 2003 interview with Discorder, asserting that "Mount Eerie is a new project. The Microphones was completed, or at least at a good stopping point. I did it because I am ready for new things. I am new."
As Mount Eerie, Phil typically works with synthesizers, guitars, drums, and the accenting voices of Mirah, The Blow, and fellow K-Records/Anacortes, Washington friends. Mount Eerie's album "Seven New Songs of Mount Eerie" was also the first recording released on Phil's new label, P.W.Elverum & Sun. All songs from that recording are available for free download in the Internet Archive.
human
Mount Eerie Lyrics
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Where did your life go?
And how do you live and forget that you died?
Human, human;
You were not proud before,
You did not used to talk so loud.
Human, human;
You animal, just remember that
There are still songs at night,
There are still sounds in the mines below.
Let's get out of the romance.
Human, human -
You will not, and I will never, be free
From the weight of our living
The load that our lungs have to lift,
The armour we wear, though we are weary, we fight
Human, human,
But you were a baby too, we did not used to be so proud.
Human, human.
I know the world looks wide,
So wherever you go, over and over, just keep saying:
"You win! You win!"
Don't destroy me, but go right through me
Take my home and my wife
Human, human.
Your generous lungs billow warmth.
The lyrics of Mount Eerie's song "Human" reflect on the complexities of human existence, and how we have to carry the weight of life on our shoulders. The song starts with a question, "Human, human / Where did your life go?" which highlights a sense of confusion and contemplation about the passage of time and the transience of life. The lyrics then explore how humans often try to forget about death and live life without acknowledging its inevitability.
The second part of the song addresses the pride and ego that humans often carry with themselves, and how it causes them to talk louder than they used to. It speaks to the idea that humans are just animals with an added dimension of consciousness, and that they ought to remember this humbling fact.
The following lines "Let's get out of the romance", address the modern lifestyle of consumerism and how we often get lost in the "romance" of the things we own or do, rather than acknowledging the simple pleasures in life. The song then ends with an appeal to accept the burdens of life and to continue fighting, highlighting the importance of resilience.
Overall, "Human" is a contemplative and thought-provoking song that raises important questions about the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
Human, human
Addressing the audience as human and calling their attention
Where did your life go?
Questioning the direction of the listeners' lives
And how do you live and forget that you died?
Posing a thought-provoking question about the listeners' ability to ignore the inevitability of death
You were not proud before,
Highlighting a change in the listeners' behavior
You did not used to talk so loud.
Observing a transformation in the listeners' demeanor
You animal, just remember that
Addressing the listeners as animals and urging them to keep that in mind
There are still songs at night,
Noting the presence of music even in the darkness
There are still sounds in the mines below.
Acknowledging that there is still life even in subterranean spaces
Let's get out of the romance.
Proposing to move away from romanticism
You will not, and I will never, be free
Stating a harsh reality about the human condition
From the weight of our living
Conveying the burden of existence
The load that our lungs have to lift,
Describing the physical strain of living
The armour we wear, though we are weary, we fight
Referring to the emotional armor we put on even when we are exhausted
But you were a baby too, we did not used to be so proud.
Reminding the listeners of their infancy and a time before pride
I know the world looks wide,
Recognizing the expanse of the world
So wherever you go, over and over, just keep saying:
Providing an instruction to the listeners
"You win! You win!"
Encouraging the audience to adopt a victorious mentality
Don't destroy me, but go right through me
Asking the listeners to avoid causing harm and instead pass through him
Take my home and my wife
Giving permission to the listeners to take material possessions
Your generous lungs billow warmth.
Complimenting the listeners' breathing apparatus and portraying a positive note amidst the broader commentary on the human condition
Contributed by Hunter Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.