Tenderness
Parquet Courts Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

We've come to replace your clock's old stubborn hands
We are the answer to why they never had a chance
It was not so long ago that the world was mostly slow
The age of iron, steam and speed
Turned a stroll to a stampede

But we've come to increase time in between ticks
And there's romance in the slow dances
'Cause they're fertile in hush, futile in haste
These are your nerves, this is how they taste

Well I can't count how many times I've been outdone by nihilism
Joined the march that splits an open heart into a schism
I cower at the thought of other people's expectations
And yet still hand over mine to them

Travel where you are, tourism is sin
These are the ruins we left behind, you can't take pictures of them
If what they say is true, then you become what you chew
If it decays spit it out, affectation is a drought

That you wait through when you hate everything that you do
You wanna live outside the groove, then fine
But it's there like a flower blooming in your ears
Open up your mouth, pollinate your peers

Nothing reminds the mind of power
Like the cheap odor of plastic
Leaking fumes we crave, consume, the rush it feels fantastic




But like power turns to mold, like a junkie going cold
I need the fix of a little tenderness

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Parquet Courts' "Tenderness" appears to discuss the current state of society and its relationship with time. The singer presents themselves as a solution to the "clock's old stubborn hands" which represent the unchanging nature of time. The irony here is that instead of providing a traditional solution to this problem, such as more accurate clocks, the singer suggests making use of the "time in between ticks." The singer suggests that while the world has become faster and more efficient, there's something to be said for the slower pace of things. Moving at a slower pace allows for more connection and intimacy, which the singer believes is more fulfilling than quick, impersonal interactions.


In the second verse, the lyrics become more introspective, with the singer discussing their own struggles with nihilism and expectations. The line "travel where you are, tourism is sin" seems to suggest that there's something to be gained by staying put and truly experiencing one's surroundings, rather than constantly chasing new experiences. The singer posits that we leave ruins behind wherever we go, but instead of trying to capture them with photographs, we should learn to appreciate them for what they are. The final lines of the verse discuss the idea that we are what we consume, whether it's physical substances or other people's expectations. Ultimately, the singer acknowledges the need for tenderness in their life, which can be seen as a counterpoint to the harshness of the rest of the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

We've come to replace your clock's old stubborn hands
We are here to change the way you perceive time


We are the answer to why they never had a chance
We bring a new perspective to the old clock that never had a chance to showcase itself


It was not so long ago that the world was mostly slow
The past was slow-paced compared to the present


The age of iron, steam and speed
That period had a lot of advancement in technology and transportation


Turned a stroll to a stampede
The fast-paced world has turned a leisurely stroll into a hurried race


But we've come to increase time in between ticks
We advocate for slowing down and enjoying the moments in between time


And there's romance in the slow dances
The slower pace has the potential for more romance


'Cause they're fertile in hush, futile in haste
Quiet moments are precious and fleeting, and rushing through them is wasted effort


These are your nerves, this is how they taste
These quiet moments are powerful and the taste of them creates strong emotions


Well I can't count how many times I've been outdone by nihilism
The writer struggles with nihilism and its impact in life


Joined the march that splits an open heart into a schism
The writer identifies with others who struggle with the same issue


I cower at the thought of other people's expectations
The writer is fearful of what others expect of them


And yet still hand over mine to them
Despite these fears, the writer still gives in to other people's expectations


Travel where you are, tourism is sin
Exploring and enjoying the things around you is important, instead of seeking out distractions


These are the ruins we left behind, you can't take pictures of them
The writer laments the loss of the old ways of life and how they can't be captured in a photo


If what they say is true, then you become what you chew
What you consume can define you


If it decays spit it out, affectation is a drought
If something is not good for you, cut it out of your life and be true to yourself


That you wait through when you hate everything that you do
In times of struggle, we keep going even when everything feels wrong


You wanna live outside the groove, then fine
It's okay to go against the norm and be different


But it's there like a flower blooming in your ears
The groove is a part of us and is always present, even if we try to escape it


Open up your mouth, pollinate your peers
Spread positivity and growth to those around you


Nothing reminds the mind of power
Power can be intoxicating


Like the cheap odor of plastic
The scent of plastic can trigger memories of power


Leaking fumes we crave, consume, the rush it feels fantastic
We may crave the feeling of power like an addiction


But like power turns to mold, like a junkie going cold
Power is fleeting and we can become addicted to it like a drug that loses its potency


I need the fix of a little tenderness
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, we crave genuine human connection and tenderness




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Andrew Savage, Austin Bradley Brown, Maxwell Savage, Sean Yeaton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Dee-do9qb

We've come to replace your clock's old stubborn hands
We are the answer to why
They never had a chance
It was not so long ago
That the world was mostly slow
The age of iron, steam and speed
Turned a stroll to a stampede
But we've come to increase time in between ticks
And there is romance in the slow dances
Because they're fertile in hush
Futile in haste
These are your nerves
This is how they taste

Well I can't count how many times I've been outdone by nihilism
Joined the march that splits an open heart into a schism
I cower at the thought of other people's expectations and yet still
Hand over mine to them

Travel where you are
Tourism is sin, these are the ruins we left behind
You can't take pictures of them
If what they say is true,
Then you become what you chew, iIf it decays spit it out
Affectation is a drought
That you wait through when you hate everything that you do
You wanna live outside the groove,
Then fine, but it's there like a flower
Blooming in your ear
Open up your mouths
Pollinate your peers

Nothing reminds the mind of power
Like the cheap odor of plastic leaking fumes
We crave, consume, the rush it feels fantastic
But like power turns to mold
Like a junkie going cold, I need the fix
Of a little tenderness



All comments from YouTube:

@Gycvbjhfddaerfchknopjgvvj

One of the best songs ever. No hyperbole.

@rux2213

Such a great song

@jcorkable

I sold my bass and amp years ago, but songs like this make me wish I still had it. Props to Sean Yeaton, my neighbors have your bass lines memorized by now…

@andremattos7879

Amazing piece of art.

@georgerockwell5288

had this song in my head while driving and couldnt remember the artist. first thought was that it was a syd barett tune. then it came to me

@Dee-do9qb

We've come to replace your clock's old stubborn hands
We are the answer to why
They never had a chance
It was not so long ago
That the world was mostly slow
The age of iron, steam and speed
Turned a stroll to a stampede
But we've come to increase time in between ticks
And there is romance in the slow dances
Because they're fertile in hush
Futile in haste
These are your nerves
This is how they taste

Well I can't count how many times I've been outdone by nihilism
Joined the march that splits an open heart into a schism
I cower at the thought of other people's expectations and yet still
Hand over mine to them

Travel where you are
Tourism is sin, these are the ruins we left behind
You can't take pictures of them
If what they say is true,
Then you become what you chew, iIf it decays spit it out
Affectation is a drought
That you wait through when you hate everything that you do
You wanna live outside the groove,
Then fine, but it's there like a flower
Blooming in your ear
Open up your mouths
Pollinate your peers

Nothing reminds the mind of power
Like the cheap odor of plastic leaking fumes
We crave, consume, the rush it feels fantastic
But like power turns to mold
Like a junkie going cold, I need the fix
Of a little tenderness

@wallybingbang4350

Beautiful 🤩

❤️

@LocalForecast

Oh ye takin me back now right on bud there shey go

@wallybingbang4350

What a fucking classic song 🎵 😮

❤️

@ermaothemao

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