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.
Pretty Machines
Parquet Courts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's hard to believe it
And it's harder to need it
But so easily wanted
Pretty machines
Expensive magazines
I've been tricked into buying quite a number of things
Urban ease, it means I was leaved taunted
And you think you're a modern person
You think that you can ignore
Silent isolation, my emancipations
In the same place you get yours
Oh, whiskey sips are piling while my secrets escaped
In the skyline of hell there are no fire escapes
Punk songs, I thought that they were different
And I thought that they could end it
No, no it was a deception
Well, the number of tears
And the number of beers were dried out and accounted
For a number of years
But these days I fear that my window was just a reflection
Still, you think that you're not a servant
You think that you can avoid
The stylish institution, worshiping illusions
Things you thought you could destroy
Oh, crowded loud and crimson was my view from the pit
I was wild, I was weird, I was shackled to it
One time, it's so easy the fourth time
But this side of the shoreline, we've already recovered
Pretty machines
Expensive routines
Butted and obstructed quite a number of things
Believe me, it's harder to feel
These days it's harder to suffer
And you think you're a modern person
Think you can watch something change
And move on without you
Side by side with doubt you
Listen to the world exchange
Oh, conversation starters over various meets
In the skyline of hell where the tired retreat
The song "Pretty Machines" by Parquet Courts explores themes of consumerism, disillusionment, and modernity. The lyrics open with a reference to moonlight, implying a romanticized view of the world that is quickly debunked by the realities of consumer culture. The "pretty machines" and "expensive magazines" represent the superficiality of modern life and the ways in which people are tricked into buying into it. The line "bullshit and dreams" speaks to the false promises and illusions of success that are sold to us through advertising and media.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the difficulty of feeling and suffering in the modern world. The line "you think you're a modern person" suggests a sense of detachment and denial that is common in contemporary society. The second verse references punk music as a form of rebellion that ultimately proved to be a deception. The singer reflects on the number of tears and beers they have gone through, ultimately feeling disillusioned with the idea of rebellion and change.
The song concludes with a sense of resignation - the fourth time may be easy, but the singer has already seen this side of the shoreline and cannot naively recover their innocence. The final lines "listen to the world exchange / conversation starters over various meets" suggest a disconnection from the real world and a desire for meaningful connection.
Overall, "Pretty Machines" critiques the shallow and empty nature of modern consumer culture, while also reflecting on the difficulty of finding authenticity and connection in a world that values superficiality and materialism.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, moonlight
The beauty of the moon in the night sky
It's hard to believe it
It is difficult to believe in the existence of such beauty
And it's harder to need it
It is even more difficult to feel a longing for that beauty
But so easily wanted
But despite the difficulty to believe or need, it is easily wanted
Pretty machines
Attractive, aesthetically pleasing devices
Expensive magazines
Pricy publications that promote consumption
I've been tricked into buying quite a number of things
The singer has been deceived into spending money on many unnecessary items
Yeah, bullshit and dreams
Useless material possessions coupled with unrealistic aspirations
Urban ease, it means I was leaved taunted
The city's comfort and convenience make the artist feel unfulfilled and teased by the illusion of success
And you think you're a modern person
The artist is saying that the listeners believe they are aware and up-to-date on societal trends
You think that you can ignore
The listeners think they can brush off or neglect certain problems
Silent isolation, my emancipations
The artist's loneliness and detachment is what liberates them
In the same place you get yours
The same city that provides material goods also provides emotional struggles for everyone
Oh, whiskey sips are piling while my secrets escaped
The singer is drinking alcohol while their secrets spill out
In the skyline of hell there are no fire escapes
The city metaphorically resembles hell, trapped and helpless
Punk songs, I thought that they were different
The artist expected punk music to stand out from the rest
And I thought that they could end it
Furthermore, the artist believed punk music could bring about change
No, no it was a deception
The singer concludes that their belief in punk music was misguided
Well, the number of tears
How much the singer has cried
And the number of beers were dried out and accounted
How much alcohol the artist has consumed while coping
For a number of years
For a long time
But these days I fear that my window was just a reflection
The artist is worried that their perception of the world was influenced by their surroundings
Still, you think that you're not a servant
The listeners feel that they are not subservient
You think that you can avoid
Audience members believe they can dodge or escape certain problems
The stylish institution, worshiping illusions
The society's cultural norms promote a false reality
Things you thought you could destroy
Things that the listeners believed they could overcome
Oh, crowded loud and crimson was my view from the pit
The singer's perspective from the bottom was overwhelmed and distressing
I was wild, I was weird, I was shackled to it
Despite struggling, the artist could not break free from their environment
One time, it's so easy the fourth time
It is easier to do something after having done it multiple times
But this side of the shoreline, we've already recovered
Despite prior hardships, the singer has bounced back on this side of the shore
Pretty machines
Once again referring to aesthetically pleasing yet unnecessary devices
Expensive routines
Lavish lifestyles that cost a great deal
Butted and obstructed quite a number of things
These material goods create obstacles and hinderances
Believe me, it's harder to feel
The artist finds it difficult to experience true emotion
These days it's harder to suffer
The concept of suffering has become more complex and complicated in modern times
And you think you're a modern person
Once again, the artist emphasizes the listeners' belief that they are with the times
Think you can watch something change
The audience feels they can witness change occur without personal involvement
And move on without you
The world may progress without accounting for every individual
Side by side with doubt you
Listeners must walk hand in hand with uncertainty
Listen to the world exchange
Pay attention to how the world changes and evolves over time
Oh, conversation starters over various meets
Small talk at different gatherings
In the skyline of hell where the tired retreat
The overwhelming environment of the city causes its inhabitants to seek refuge and rest
Writer(s): Maxwell Savage, Andrew Christopher Savage, Austin Brown
Contributed by Alice F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Diana Miller
Ah, moonlight
It's hard to believe it
And it's harder to need it
But
so easily wanted
Pretty machines
Expensive magazines
I've been tricked into buying quite a number of things
Yeah, bullshit and dreams
Urban ease, it means I was leaved taunted
And you think you're a modern person
You think that you can ignore
Silent isolation, my emancipation
In the same place you get yours
Oh, whiskey sips are piling while my secrets escaped
In the skyline of hell there are no fire escapes
Punk songs, I thought that they were different
And I thought that they could end it
No, no it was a deception
Well, the number of tears
And the number of beers were dried out and accounted
For a number of years
But these days I fear that my window was just a reflection
Still, you think that you're not a servant
You think that you can avoid
The stylish institution, worshiping illusions
Things you thought you could destroy
Oh, crowded loud and crimson was my view from the pit
I was wild, I was weird, I was shackled to it
trisbob279
One time, it's so easy the fourth time
But this side of the shoreline, we've already recovered
Pretty machines
Expensive routines
Clouded and obstructed quite a number of things
Believe me, it's harder to feel
These days it's harder to suffer
And you think you're a modern person
Think you can watch something change
And move on without you
Side by side with doubt you
Listen to the world exchange
Oh, conversation starters over various meats
In the skyline of hell where the tired retreat
sifat shams
I love bands that prove how important lyrics are!
Juan Mercado
Such meaningful lyrics with a groove you can dance to. This is the future of music, and it was happening years ago.
Ken W
critically underrated artists ❤
Diana Miller
Ah, moonlight
It's hard to believe it
And it's harder to need it
But
so easily wanted
Pretty machines
Expensive magazines
I've been tricked into buying quite a number of things
Yeah, bullshit and dreams
Urban ease, it means I was leaved taunted
And you think you're a modern person
You think that you can ignore
Silent isolation, my emancipation
In the same place you get yours
Oh, whiskey sips are piling while my secrets escaped
In the skyline of hell there are no fire escapes
Punk songs, I thought that they were different
And I thought that they could end it
No, no it was a deception
Well, the number of tears
And the number of beers were dried out and accounted
For a number of years
But these days I fear that my window was just a reflection
Still, you think that you're not a servant
You think that you can avoid
The stylish institution, worshiping illusions
Things you thought you could destroy
Oh, crowded loud and crimson was my view from the pit
I was wild, I was weird, I was shackled to it
Maximillian M.
thanks!
thesandyohms
Diana Miller great poem, thx for posting :)
trisbob279
One time, it's so easy the fourth time
But this side of the shoreline, we've already recovered
Pretty machines
Expensive routines
Clouded and obstructed quite a number of things
Believe me, it's harder to feel
These days it's harder to suffer
And you think you're a modern person
Think you can watch something change
And move on without you
Side by side with doubt you
Listen to the world exchange
Oh, conversation starters over various meats
In the skyline of hell where the tired retreat
Phurry
ah moonlight
yeah spotlight yeah haha
original joke by me
Blalack77
Something about that specific chord change is like magic to my ears.
Carl Jones
Elements of Television. I love reading everyone's comments and all the great bands they are reminded of. These guys capture all that was great about the 80's indy/college radio/club scene...