The bands’ debut release is described as The Fall meets Neil Young- which all makes sense on the band’s debut release, “American Specialties”. The quartet wanders through the American and British underground, picking away their favorite parts with confidence. The lyrics, when intelligible, are bizarre and dramatic. “She looked at me like a fry pan reducing,” moans Savage, from the same lustful subconscious built by the darker moments of psychedelia. Then at times, such as on the 70’s folkish “Square States”, thoughts are more sentimental and transparent. The setting for “American Specialties” ranges from a crusty Brooklyn bodega, to an endless Texas desert. If these sorts of soundscapes appeal to your mind, then you're sure to stumble upon Parquet Courts sooner or later.
Bodies
Parquet Courts Lyrics
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Rusted bench seats been stuck in ruts full of bodies
Made of slugs and guts
Sludged all the way through the mud to orate to some
Bodies made of slugs and guts
Mister's suit was stained like a sweatshop
I said, "It's my soul, I wanna keep it on the inside."
Bodies made of sparks and dust
Christened, then soaked futile
Listless souls dampened the aisle of bodies made of slugs and guts
Spoke like a layman but resounded like tongues to the bodies made of
Slugs and guts
He spit when he spoke and sang like a wasp nest
I said, "It's my soul, I wanna keep it on the inside"
Rayan Hadley
The song "Bodies" by Parquet Courts uses vivid and gritty language to paint a picture of decay and despair. The repeated line "Bodies made of slugs and guts" sets the tone for the song, conjuring up images of corpses made up of slimy, disgusting matter. The verses go on to describe a scene of abandoned cars and people, all trapped in a cycle of apathy and hopelessness. The image of a rusted bench seat stuck in a rut full of bodies is particularly striking, suggesting a deep sense of entrapment and decay.
As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the people themselves, who are described as "slumped and prone to the lore and lust." There is a sense of detachment here, as if the bodies are no longer in control of their own lives. This is reinforced by the use of phrases like "listless souls" and "dampened aisle of bodies," both of which evoke a sense of lifelessness.
Despite the dark themes of the song, there is also a note of defiance in the repeated line "It's my soul, I wanna keep it on the inside." This suggests a desire to hold onto something pure and authentic in the face of overwhelming decay and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Bodies made of slugs and guts
Referring to the people in attendance who are seen as lowly and insignificant.
Rusted bench seats been stuck in ruts full of bodies
Old, deteriorating seats with numerous people sitting in them.
Made of slugs and guts
Continuing to describe the unimportant and undesirable nature of the people in attendance.
Sludged all the way through the mud to orate to some
The artists have struggled to get to this event, but are still willing to speak to those present.
Bodies made of slugs and guts
Reiterating the lowly and insignificant status of those present.
Mister's suit was stained like a sweatshop
One of the singers is not dressed appropriately for the occasion and appears unkempt.
I said, "It's my soul, I wanna keep it on the inside."
The singer wants to protect their innermost self and not reveal too much to the crowd.
Bodies made of sparks and dust
A new group of attendees is being introduced, but they are not necessarily given a higher status than the previous group described.
Slumped and prone to the lore and lust
The new attendees are described as tired and susceptible to temptation and rumors.
Christened, then soaked futile
The new group may have been initiated in some way, but it ultimately did not amount to anything significant.
Listless souls dampened the aisle of bodies made of slugs and guts
The atmosphere of the event is dreary and uninspiring due to the lackluster participants.
Spoke like a layman but resounded like tongues to the bodies made of slugs and guts
The artists are not necessarily educated or eloquent, but they still manage to impress the unimpressive crowd.
He spit when he spoke and sang like a wasp nest
One of the singers is not only uneducated but also unpleasant and irritating in their speech.
I said, "It's my soul, I wanna keep it on the inside"
The singer repeats their desire for privacy and protection of their inner self.
Contributed by Isaiah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.