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.
Paraphrased
Parquet Courts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paralyzed
Doesn't move, it just blinks its eyes
Paranoid
Just another trap to avoid
Parallel
Never crosses, goes straight as hell
It's night-time lactating
It's pre-season training
Object
A doorman's composure
A patient's disclosure
Imposter's exposure
Subject
Understood
No confession, you said it good
Undeclared
Doesn't know if it's live or dead
Undesired
Cannot see that its charm expired
Unconcerned
When interest cannot be returned
It's christened, the entry
It's paid off, the sentry
It's here, evidently
Object
An actor portraying
A cleric obeying
Enormer betraying
Subject
Sometimes my
Thoughts are infrequent explosions
Sometimes I
Drop definition from my words
Sometimes my
Speech recalls moments of violence
Sometimes I
Can't be repeated, I can't be
Paraphrased
No
two people can experience life the same way, and Parquet Courts's song Paraphrased is a testament to this. The lyrics describe a situation where something is hard to explain or categorize. The singer states that it cannot be quoted and is difficult to describe. The subject seems paralyzed, blinks its eyes, and appears only to be concerned with avoiding traps and sticking to its path. The singer describes the subject as both child-like and night-time lactating, juxtaposing innocence and a darker, more mature side.
The chorus of the song introduces the concept of the subject being an object. It is impersonal, like a doorman or a patient disclosing information. At the same time, it has the power to be an imposter, fooling others into believing it is something it is not. The song concludes with the singer admitting that his own thoughts and words might be difficult to understand or express, just like the subject of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't be quoted, it's hard to say
The singer's thoughts cannot be easily summarized or expressed with accuracy.
Paralyzed
The singer feels immobile or unable to act.
Doesn't move, it just blinks its eyes
The subject is stagnant and unresponsive.
Paranoid
The artist is anxious and suspicious, perhaps due to past experiences.
Just another trap to avoid
The artist sees various situations as snares to be avoided.
Parallel
The subject moves forward in a linear fashion with no deviation.
It's child-like, persuading
The subject uses manipulation tactics that seem innocent and naive.
It's night-time lactating
The subject nourishes something during a dark period, such as a mother caring for her child during the night.
It's pre-season training
The subject prepares for something before it begins, like an athlete before a competition.
Object
The subject is perceived as an object with no emotional or personal significance.
A doorman's composure
The subject exhibits a calm and controlled demeanor similar to that of a doorman working at a building entrance.
A patient's disclosure
The subject reveals something personal or confidential, similar to how a patient might do so with a therapist.
Imposter's exposure
The subject is revealed as a fraud or imposter, similar to a scheme being uncovered.
Subject
The singer views the subject as an individual with emotions and personal significance.
Understood
The singer acknowledges an idea or statement without explicitly agreeing or disagreeing.
No confession, you said it good
The artist agrees with a statement made, but does not admit to any wrongdoing or fault.
Undeclared
The artist is unsure or lacks knowledge about a particular topic or situation.
Doesn't know if it's live or dead
The subject is in a state of confusion or cannot determine its status or fate.
Undesired
The singer no longer wants or desires something that was once appealing.
Cannot see that its charm expired
The subject does not realize that its appeal has faded or that it is no longer desirable.
Unconcerned
The artist is apathetic or indifferent towards a situation or outcome.
When interest cannot be returned
The artist is experiencing unrequited feelings or unreciprocated interest in someone or something.
It's christened, the entry
An event or object is given a name or title at its beginning, like the christening of a ship or the naming of a new establishment.
It's paid off, the sentry
An obligation or debt has been satisfied, like a soldier being released after fulfilling their duty as a sentry.
It's here, evidently
The subject is clearly present or visible in the vicinity.
An actor portraying
The subject is playing a role or acting out a part.
A cleric obeying
The subject is following religious doctrine or performing tasks as directed by a leader or authority figure.
Enormer betraying
Someone or something significant has displayed disloyalty or deception, like a trusted friend or powerful institution.
Subject
The artist views the subject as an individual with emotions and personal significance.
Sometimes my
The singer occasionally experiences or thinks about the following situations.
Thoughts are infrequent explosions
The singer's ideas or thought processes sometimes burst forth in an explosive manner.
Drop definition from my words
The artist sometimes fails to express themselves clearly or accurately, omitting important details or definitions.
Speech recalls moments of violence
The artist's words bring up memories of violent or intense situations.
Can't be repeated, I can't be
The artist's experiences or thoughts cannot be easily relayed or repeated to others.
Paraphrased
The singer's thoughts or experiences cannot be summarized or expressed with accuracy.
No
There is no meaning to this line as it is a direct response to the previous line.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: AUSTIN BROWN, MAXWELL SAVAGE, ANDREW SAVAGE, SEAN YEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Radixxs
This song blows my mind every time I hear it, it's just so great
Press1ToParty
I think this song is the perfect definition of Parquet Courts.
Suzanne Worth
What an astonishingly great guitar riff. I love it when Andrew shouts 'Object' & 'Subject'. Excellent words to shout. I agree Radixxs, this song blows my mind as well and I can't stop playing it.
Dustin Smith
This is a perfect rock song.
Jayson Wilson
One of my favorites from HP. Can't wait to see them at Project Pabst fest
brandon roman reyes regalado
hola me encanta su música saludos desde México , estado de nuevo leon
irene c
Effortlessly badass!!!
James T
Television guitar inspiration. Big UP
Filipe Fonseca
Best song they played in Orlando
Andrew McPherson
Too excited for their Edinburgh gig.