Mutual Benefit is the sound of everything making sense, if just for a second. It is the magic of ordinary moments.
It is sound created and/or tastefully re-created by Jordan Lee as well as an ever rotating cast of ruffians and ne'er-do-wells
Jordan is also proud owner of the tape label/collective kassette klub.
"do cool things and be kind to each other"
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Passenger
Mutual Benefit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fleeting scenes of devastation cross our eyes
With the pit stop in this flooded valley we can see
So clearly
What it's like to lose everything
People seem so ordinary
When they're seen at such a fast speed
People seem so ordinary
When they're seen at such a fast speed
Viewed from distance they're so fast
We close our eyes to calm our bodies
The lyrics to Mutual Benefit's song, Passenger, speak to the fleeting nature of life and how our perception of the world can change when traveling at high speeds. The opening lines, "Random images keep rolling while you drive/Fleeting scenes of devastation cross our eyes," describe the constantly changing scenery one experiences while driving, and how even devastating sights can quickly become a blur. The next lines, "With the pit stop in this flooded valley we can see/So clearly/What it's like to lose everything," suggest that it is only in moments of stillness, such as a pit stop, that one can truly witness the devastation around them and understand what it's like to lose everything.
The chorus of the song, "People seem so ordinary/When they're seen at such a fast speed," further explores the theme of how velocity can affect our perception of the world. When we are moving quickly, people can appear mundane and unremarkable. But when we slow down, we begin to see the nuances and complexities in each individual we encounter. The final lines of the chorus, "Viewed from distance they're so fast/We close our eyes to calm our bodies," suggest that we may even need to shut out some of the sensory input around us in order to cope with the constant motion and stimulation of modern life.
Overall, the lyrics to Passenger convey a sense of transience and fragility, highlighting how easily life can be disrupted and how important it is to take moments of stillness to truly appreciate the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Random images keep rolling while you drive
As you drive, your mind is bombarded with various fleeting thoughts and emotions that keep coming and going randomly.
Fleeting scenes of devastation cross our eyes
As we drive past, we witness brief glimpses of chaos, misery, and destruction that are scattered throughout our surroundings.
With the pit stop in this flooded valley we can see
By taking a break and stopping at this flooded valley, we gain a new perspective and can observe our surroundings more closely.
So clearly
It is easier to understand the reality of the situation and the gravity of the circumstances when we take a moment to pause and reflect.
What it's like to lose everything
We gain an understanding of how it feels to lose all of our possessions, loved ones, and sense of security when we witness the devastation around us.
People seem so ordinary
When we view people from a fast-moving vehicle, they appear to be just like any other people we would pass on the street.
When they're seen at such a fast speed
Because of the speed at which we are traveling, we don't have enough time to see people in detail or understand their individual stories and struggles.
Viewed from distance they're so fast
When people are seen from afar or while we are moving quickly, they appear to be just a blur of motion and activity.
We close our eyes to calm our bodies
As a means of coping with the overwhelming stimuli around us, we take a moment to rest and calm ourselves by closing our eyes and focusing on our breathing.
Contributed by Alyssa F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.