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.
Keep It Even
Parquet Courts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep closed but it's open
There's a commitment that I made to be
Somewhere but it's broken
An oblique mantra in my head
It lies there
On the floor
Like a bed that would collapse like a trap
You gotta keep it even, even when
You're uptight
Even when you're happy
Even when you're reaching for some
Line I've had in mind
It's been repressed over time
So I'm breathing
Seduced by an excuse that could
Not be made but I'm speaking
There's a phone with a number that
I try not to call but it's ringing
For someone I've tried to keep to
Myself but I'm singing
It's logic that's twisted and paraphrased
And justified by a distance that separates
A bond, bound of persistence
You gotta keep it even, even when
You're uptight
Even when you're happy
Even when you're reaching for
That drawer in my house that I try
To keep closed but it's open
The lyrics to Parquet Courts' song "Keep It Even" seem to explore the idea of maintaining a sense of balance and consistency amidst internal turmoil and challenges in life. The first verse describes a drawer in the singer's house that they attempt to keep closed, symbolizing a hidden part of themselves or a suppressed emotion. However, despite their efforts, it remains open, suggesting that these hidden feelings or thoughts cannot be easily contained.
The next couple of lines touch upon a broken commitment and an oblique mantra in the singer's head. This hints at a struggle to uphold a promise or a sense of direction in life. The mantra lies on the floor like a bed that could collapse if spoken, suggesting that acknowledging or verbalizing this internal conflict might have detrimental consequences. The recurring line "You gotta keep it even, even when you're uptight" emphasizes the importance of maintaining equilibrium despite feeling anxious or uptight.
The second verse introduces the idea of repressed emotions and desires. The singer mentions a line they have in mind that has been suppressed over time, implying that they have a thought or expression that they have been suppressing. They mention being seduced by an excuse, possibly implying that they are tempted to justify their lack of action or expression.
The last part of the song brings in the imagery of a ringing phone that the singer tries not to answer. This phone represents a connection or a relationship they have tried to keep to themselves but are drawn towards. They describe the logic as twisted and paraphrased, indicating a rationalization or justification for keeping this connection at a distance. The song concludes by referring back to the drawer metaphor, suggesting that despite the singer's efforts to keep it closed, it remains open, possibly symbolizing the persistence of these unresolved internal conflicts.
Overall, "Keep It Even" speaks to the challenges of maintaining a sense of balance and consistency within oneself, even when faced with internal struggles and the temptation to suppress or hide certain emotions or desires.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a drawer in my house that I try
In my personal space, there exists an aspect of my life that I attempt to conceal
To keep closed but it's open
Yet, despite my efforts, this hidden part remains exposed and accessible
There's a commitment that I made to be
I made a promise to be present and accountable
Somewhere but it's broken
However, that commitment has been shattered and left unfulfilled
An oblique mantra in my head
A vague phrase constantly repeats in my thoughts
It lies there
It rests within my consciousness
On the floor
Like an abandoned object, insignificant and neglected
Like a bed that would collapse like a trap
Similar to a treacherous snare, it would crumble under scrutiny
If it was spoken
Revealing this mantra aloud would lead to unwanted consequences
You gotta keep it even, even when
It is essential to maintain balance and stability, even in times of
You're uptight
heightened stress or anxiety
Even when you're happy
This equilibrium should be upheld not only during moments of stress but also in periods of joy
Even when you're reaching for some
Even when striving for a specific goal or aspiration
Line I've had in mind
A particular idea or concept that has occupied my thoughts
It's been repressed over time
However, this notion has been suppressed and suppressed for an extended duration
So I'm breathing
Therefore, I'm exhaling and releasing the tension caused by this internal struggle
Seduced by an excuse that could
I am enticed by a justification that holds the potential
Not be made but I'm speaking
Even though it lacks validity, I still find myself verbalizing it
There's a phone with a number that
Within my reach, there is a telephone and its associated digits
I try not to call but it's ringing
Despite my attempts to ignore it, the phone persistently rings, enticing me to answer
For someone I've tried to keep to
It is intended for an individiual whom I desired to keep a distance from
Myself but I'm singing
Yet, paradoxically, I find myself expressing my thoughts and emotions openly
It's logic that's twisted and paraphrased
The reasoning behind this situation is convoluted and distorted
And justified by a distance that separates
Moreover, it is rationalized by the physical and emotional space that divides
A bond, bound of persistence
A connection tainted by immovable determination and unwavering commitment
That drawer in my house that I try
Returning to the initial metaphor, it refers to that hidden aspect within my personal sphere
To keep closed but it's open
Despite my best efforts, it remains exposed and accessible
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: ANDREW SAVAGE, MAXWELL SAVAGE, AUSTIN BROWN, SEAN YEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind