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.
Sunbathing Animal
Parquet Courts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cannot slow the pace at which I yearn
Frank and unabashed I become a frozen servant
Smiling asking nothing in return
Fang-tooth woman foaming at the mouth as she addressed me
Not with moving lips, but with the rabid wild arresting
Words not yet intended to identify emotion
Scrawling bold and oblique in my head
I've watched you, waited and be ignored
Bled into the clatter, as they sipped at what you poured
I cling to your perimeter as you float in their margins
Oblivious to being stung, there satellite becomes my son
I've flown into that trap before
When things have gotten dark
In the depths of strangers glances lies the most ferocious spark
Most freedom is deceiving
If such a thing exists
When I was young I knew but didn't care
Faces change and shape to represent the same old beast
I want to flee but I can only stare
It's the sound a captive heart makes as it sizzles into vapor
The title hum of fondness like a spike-wave oscillator
The rabid UV grin that beckons me into approaching
Grasping as it recedes into space
Who greets me first when I arise
Who breaking into my half shut eyes
It's in the blaze of your embrace where I feel more real and alive
The bosom of 1000 watts into my skin into my guts
Running circles so proud until he got caught
In his brief emancipation he can feel what I cannot
There's a patch of light that hits the floor I'll often occupy
Stretch my arms and legs and close my eyes
I now can hear my pulse alone, this manic pace I cannot slow
I do not miss the child you stole
Frying and abiding, I'm in your control
Like a sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sun
bathing animal
The lyrics to Parquet Courts' song Sunbathing Animal are reflective of the struggles of being a captive in different aspects of life. The song starts by talking about a creature that the singer keeps returning to, but they also neglect. This could be a metaphor for a habit, an addiction, or even a person. The singer then admits to being unable to slow down their craving, which leaves them like 'a frozen servant.' Later in the song, the image of a rabid, fang-toothed woman addresses the singer, highlighting the idea of being captive to something uncontrollable. The woman's words are portrayed as oblique and bold, symbolizing the confusion and desperation often associated with captivity.
The second verse reflects on how the most freedom is deceiving, even if it exists, and how the same old beast wears different faces. The singer desires to flee but is stuck 'only staring.' They describe the sound of a captive heart sizzling into vapor and how the title hum of fondness is like a spike-wave oscillator. The last lines of the verse speak of the singer's desire to feel alive, and they see that in the embrace of someone they care about.
The chorus of the song speaks about the singer being like a 'sunbathing animal' with a manic pace that they cannot slow. They also talk about how they do not miss the child that was stolen, which could be a metaphor for lost innocence or opportunity. Overall, the song seems to be about being captive to different aspects of life, whether it be habits, addictions, or people. The singer desires to break free but is unable to, which leaves them feeling like a sunbathing animal, trapped in a cycle of life.
Line by Line Meaning
One creature I return to, one habit I neglect
There is one thing that I always come back to, yet I often ignore it.
I cannot slow the pace at which I yearn
I am constantly craving more, and I can't seem to slow down.
Frank and unabashed I become a frozen servant, smiling asking nothing in return
I am honest and open about my intentions, but I am also submissive and don't ask for anything in return.
Fang-tooth woman foaming at the mouth as she addressed me, not with moving lips, but with the rabid wild arresting
I am confronted by a scary and wild woman who speaks with her body language.
Words not yet intended to identify emotion, scrawling bold and oblique in my head
I am still trying to process and understand the woman's message, which is unclear and confusing.
I've hung out at your service jobs, I've watched you, waited and be ignored, bled into the clatter, as they sipped at what you poured
I have spent time at your work, but I have felt invisible and unimportant, despite my efforts to pay attention to you.
I cling to your perimeter as you float in their margins, oblivious to being stung, there satellite becomes my son
I try to stay close to you, even when you are among others who ignore me. My dependence on you becomes like a child to me.
I've flown into that trap before, when things have gotten dark, in the depths of strangers glances lies the most ferocious spark
I have been caught in a similar situation before, where strangers' looks have caused me fear and anxiety.
Most freedom is deceiving, if such a thing exists, when I was young I knew but didn't care
I have come to understand that freedom is often not what it seems, but when I was younger, I didn't care about limitations.
Faces change and shape to represent the same old beast, I want to flee but I can only stare
Different people may look different, but they all represent the same negative or oppressive force. I feel trapped and unable to escape.
It's the sound a captive heart makes as it sizzles into vapor, the title hum of fondness like a spike-wave oscillator
The feeling of being trapped causes my heart to race with anxiety, but there is still a sense of affection and attachment present.
The rabid UV grin that beckons me into approaching, grasping as it recedes into space
An enticing and dangerous lure draws me in, but as I reach for it, it disappears.
Who greets me first when I arise, who breaking into my half shut eyes
I am uncertain about who or what will be the first thing I see when I wake up.
It's in the blaze of your embrace where I feel more real and alive, the bosom of 1000 watts into my skin into my guts
When I am with you and feel your warmth and energy, I feel energized and in touch with myself.
Running circles so proud until he got caught, in his brief emancipation he can feel what I cannot
I see someone else who feels free and confident, but I am unable to experience that same feeling myself.
There's a patch of light that hits the floor I'll often occupy, stretch my arms and legs and close my eyes
There is a specific spot where I like to lay down and relax, taking a break from the constant demands of life.
I now can hear my pulse alone, this manic pace I cannot slow
As I lay there, I become more in tune with my own body and how it is responding to stress and anxiety.
I do not miss the child you stole, frying and abiding, I'm in your control
Even though I know that something has been taken away from me, I still feel trapped and unable to escape my dependence on you.
Like a sunbathing animal, a sunbathing animal, a sunbathing animal, a sunbathing animal, a sunbathing animal, a sunbathing animal, a sunbathing animal
I am like an animal, basking in the warmth of your presence and unable to escape my attachment to you.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE, AUSTIN BROWN, MAXWELL OLIVER SAVAGE, SEAN MATTHEW YEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sandwichyourself4481
One creature I return to, one habit I neglect
I cannot slow the pace at which I yearn
Frank and unabashed I become a frozen servant
Smiling asking nothing in return
Fang-tooth woman foaming at the mouth as she addressed me
Not with moving lips, but with the rabid wild arresting
Words not yet intended to identify emotion
Scrawling bold and oblique in my head
I’ve hung out at your service jobs
I’ve watched you, waited and be ignored
Bled into the clatter, as they sipped at what you poured
I cling to your perimeter as you float in their margins
Oblivious to being stung, there satellite becomes my son
I’ve flown into that trap before
When things have gotten dark
In the depths of strangers glances lies the most ferocious spark
Most freedom is deceiving
If such a thing exists
When I was young I knew but didn’t care
Faces change and shape to represent the same old beast
I want to flee but I can only stare
It’s the sound a captive heart makes as it sizzles into vapor
The title hum of fondness like a spike-wave oscillator
The rabid UV grin that beckons me into approaching
Grasping as it recedes into space
Who greets me first when I arise
Who breaking into my half shut eyes
It’s in the blaze of your embrace where I feel more real and alive
The bosom of 1000 watts into my skin into my guts
Running circles so proud until he got caught
In his brief emancipation he can feel what I cannot
There’s a patch of light that hits the floor I’ll often occupy
Stretch my arms and legs and close my eyes
I now can hear my pulse alone, this manic pace I cannot slow
I do not miss the child you stole
Frying and abiding, I’m in your control
Like a sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sunbathing animal
A sun
@rileywebb9
"most freedom is deceiving, if such a thing exists, when I was young I knew but didn't care." thats a hell of a line
@faulsname8869
I love when he says “I CANNOT SLOW THE PACE AT WHICH I YEARN!!”
@petervega2073
They may only play one chord..but they play the fuck out of that chord.
@digitalwitness2706
peter vega - Yes they do. Yes..they.. do...
That’s basically my favorite chord now. Shit is raw
@faulsname8869
Its E and B….so two chords…….
@dinosaurhotline
@Faul Sname three chords, actually. F# too
@faulsname8869
@DinosaurHotline true you’re right
@felixd.4150
@DinosaurHotline If you play it with all down strokes it goes from being the easiest songs to play to one of the toughest. All downstrokes, all 6 strings.
@joehartlaub3114
I'm almost 70 and loved these guys from the first chord. I introduced my younger daughter to their music and now I'm doing the same with my granddaughter. I hope they record a new album before I die of old age or something but it that happens at least I heard this. Great music that never wears out.
@gabrielherbas402
I will be you in 40 years, I hope. Greetings