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.
Extinction
Parquet Courts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Odds favor the former when you wear a mask
Masochism forming in the reflection and
I'm trying not to turn into a psychopath
Better to have lost it then to find it tossed out
That's what I'm telling myself
Wasn't I better than nothing?
Wanted to be needed so I fed my cat
Think I'll keep to myself for the next few days
Feel a buzz that can't be bottled, smoked or canned
Sabotaging life just to find something to write about
Why was it always this way?
And did I do it on purpose?
Waking from a vision that the schizoid built
Listening to puddles swallow melted snow
Spring has sprung and finally it's not cold outside
And I'm thinking about the places that I want to go
Passion dissipates when it's fastened to
The faces we wear only to become them
Lying to ourselves everyday becomes incredibly easy
Yeah it's incredibly easy
Yeah it's incredibly easy
In Parquet Courts' song "Extinction," the lyrics delve into themes of self-reflection, masked personas, and the complexities of human emotions. The opening lines, "Making the distinction between life and lore, Odds favor the former when you wear a mask," suggest a struggle to differentiate between reality and fictional narratives, with the mask symbolizing a facade or a defense mechanism. The mention of masochism alludes to the self-destructive tendencies that can arise from introspection, and the desire to avoid a descent into psychopathy.
The lyrics continue with the line, "Better to have lost it then to find it tossed out," conveying a sense of valuing something that was once present, even if it has been lost. The singer questions their own worth by asking, "Wasn't I better than nothing?" This introspection highlights the conflicts and doubts that can arise within oneself, as well as the need for self-acceptance and validation.
The second verse introduces a mundane decision about steamed or fried food, juxtaposing it against the desire to be needed through the act of feeding a cat. This mundane scenario is contrasted with the following lines, expressing a need for solitude and a desire to disconnect from the world. The mention of a buzz that cannot be gained through external substances suggests an internal energy or inspiration. The lyrics reflect on the self-sabotage endured in order to find inspiration and something to write about, questioning whether it was intentional.
The final verse takes a shift towards a more tranquil state, as the singer awakens from a vision and listens to puddles swallowing melted snow. The arrival of spring brings warmth and a desire to explore new places. The mention of passion dissipating when tied to the masks or personas we wear emphasizes the toll that self-deception can take on our ability to experience true emotions. The repetition of the phrase "lying to ourselves everyday becomes incredibly easy" underscores the ease with which we can deceive ourselves and the importance of facing our true selves in order to find authenticity and connection.
Overall, "Extinction" delves into the complexities of human emotions, the struggle between wearing masks and seeking authenticity, and the toll of self-deception on one's ability to truly connect and find meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Making the distinction between life and lore
Recognizing the difference between reality and fabricated stories
Odds favor the former when you wear a mask
Your true self is more likely to prevail when you hide behind a facade
Masochism forming in the reflection and
Deriving pleasure from self-inflicted pain and contemplating about it in the mirror
I'm trying not to turn into a psychopath
Making an effort to prevent oneself from becoming emotionally detached and devoid of empathy
Better to have lost it then to find it tossed out
It's preferable to experience loss rather than being discarded after finding something
That's what I'm telling myself
Reassuring oneself with this perspective
Wasn't I better than nothing?
Questioning whether being present and imperfect is preferable to nonexistence
Making a decision about steamed or fried
Contemplating trivial choices, such as how to prepare food
Wanted to be needed so I fed my cat
Seeking validation and a sense of purpose by taking care of a pet
Think I'll keep to myself for the next few days
Choosing to isolate and be alone for a period of time
Feel a buzz that can't be bottled, smoked or canned
Experiencing an indescribable sensation that cannot be replicated through substances
Sabotaging life just to find something to write about
Deliberately undermining one's own experiences in order to have material for creative expression
Why was it always this way?
Questioning the persistent patterns and circumstances in life
And did I do it on purpose?
Contemplating whether one's actions and choices were intentional or accidental
Waking from a vision that the schizoid built
Emerging from a distorted perception or delusion created by a fragmented mind
Listening to puddles swallow melted snow
Hearing the sound of water collected in puddles as it consumes the melted snow
Spring has sprung and finally it's not cold outside
The season of spring has arrived, bringing warmth and an end to the cold weather
And I'm thinking about the places that I want to go
Reflecting on the desired destinations and experiences one wishes to pursue
Passion dissipates when it's fastened to
The intensity of fervor diminishes when it becomes attached to
The faces we wear only to become them
The personas we adopt ultimately consuming and defining our true selves
Lying to ourselves everyday becomes incredibly easy
Deceiving oneself on a daily basis becomes remarkably effortless
Yeah it's incredibly easy
Affirming the ease with which self-deception occurs
Yeah it's incredibly easy
Further emphasizing the simplicity of deceiving oneself
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Andrew Savage, Austin Bradley Brown, Maxwell Savage, Sean Yeaton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind