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.
Slide Machine
Parquet Courts Lyrics
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Where the gods are overheard but seldom seen
And here I been just stuck up in between
Yeah, tryin' and tryin' and tryin' to get back to you
And I'm tryin' and tryin' and tryin' to get back to you
Well the slide machine it sweeps the bones right off the road
For the tandem trucks and the moats that they towed
And me I've just been looking for one going slow
And I'm tryin' I'm tryin' I'm tryin' to get back to you
My woman here, she's got a dozen names
She sop by soldiers and they try to keep her tame
And her rewards will leave them just the same
Yeah tryin' to tryin' to tryin' to get back to you
Tryin' to tryin' to tryin' to get back to you
I been down South where they use the slide machine
Where the gods are overheard but seldom seen
And here I been just stuck up in between
I'm tryin' I'm tryin' I'm tryin' to get back to you
Yeah I'm tryin' and tryin' and tryin' to get back to you
The lyrics of Parquet Courts' "Slide Machine" paint a picture of two separate worlds: one in the South where a slide machine is used to sweep bones off the road, and another in the singer's own experience of feeling stuck in between. The South, in this sense, becomes representative of something other-worldly, with gods that are more often heard than seen. The slide machine serves as a metaphor for something dangerous, capable of destroying and removing what lies in its path. The singer's goal is to get back to someone they miss and long for, but their journey is impeded by the dangerous slide machine, and the chaos it represents.
The second half of the song introduces the singer's woman, who has a "dozen names" and is often sought after by soldiers who wish to control her. Here, the metaphor of the slide machine is expanded upon, representing the dangers of conformity and control. The reward for those who think they can control her is the same as the fate of those who are overtaken by the slide machine: destruction. The final repetition of "tryin' to get back to you" becomes a mantra of sorts, symbolizing the struggle against the destructive forces of conformity and control.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been down South where they use the slide machine
I've been down South where they use a machine that helps with moving objects.
Where the gods are overheard but seldom seen
Where people talk about god but don't really see any evidence of its existence.
And here I been just stuck up in between
And here I am, just waiting in the middle, unable to move either way.
Yeah, tryin' and tryin' and tryin' to get back to you
I've been trying so hard to get back to you.
Well the slide machine it sweeps the bones right off the road
The slide machine is so powerful, it can even clean the bones off the road.
For the tandem trucks and the moats that they towed
It is used to clean up after the large trucks that carry moats.
And me I've just been looking for one going slow
I'm looking for a slow truck to catch a ride with.
My woman here, she's got a dozen names
The woman I'm with has many aliases and identities.
She sop by soldiers and they try to keep her tame
She associates with soldiers who try to control her actions and behavior.
And her rewards will leave them just the same
Despite their efforts, she will not change and they will still be left with nothing.
I been down South where they use the slide machine
I've been to the South where they use the slide machine.
Where the gods are overheard but seldom seen
Where people talk about god but don't really see any evidence of its existence.
And here I been just stuck up in between
And here I am, just waiting in the middle, unable to move either way.
I'm tryin' I'm tryin' I'm tryin' to get back to you
I'm trying hard to get back to you.
Yeah I'm tryin' and tryin' and tryin' to get back to you
Yes, I'm still trying hard to get back to you.
Writer(s): R. P. St John
Contributed by Jordyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Grace A
tryin trying tryin to get back to you
M L
Better at 1.5 speed.
Hugedickerino Kripperino
Nah man