Parquet Courts is a band from New York City. The band is fronted by Andrew… Read Full Bio ↴Parquet Courts is a band from New York City. The band is fronted by Andrew Savage, who is known for his collaborations with projects like Fergus & Geronimo, Teenage Cool Kids and Wiccans. Savage is joined by Austin Brown (Guitar), Sean Yeaton (Bass) and Max Savage (Drums).

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.

Yr No Stoner
Parquet Courts Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Two young fingers in wet cement
There's a new impression built in front of my apartment
BG & EE that's so sweet
I wonder what E's gonna say when she sees

It's a pretty far walk to the DMV

Storm chasin' hippies at a discount mall

Megaphone muppet poster on the wall
Speaking in stones like we've never heard before
You take the risk, I'll get the reward

I don't know too much I just got the keys

There's billionaire buses on my unlit street
Hey who's that walkin' up? That looks like E
Let's hide in the bushes so that we can hear her say
"Who would build a monument for me anyway?"

That's B! BG! He'll build it for you babe
You know BG, he'll give you what you need

Overall Meaning

The opening lyrics to Parquet Courts' "Yr No Stoner" set the stage for a narrative of youthful restlessness and aimless wandering, as the singer observes the small but significant act of two fingers imprinting wet cement in front of their apartment. The subsequent references to "BG & EE" indicate familiarity with other members or friends in their community, perhaps artists or musicians with whom the singer shares a creative spirit or vision. The line "I wonder what E's gonna say when she sees" implies a sense of anticipation and playfulness, as if the singer and their cohort are daring each other to push the boundaries of what is socially acceptable or expected.

However, the next line swiftly shifts the tone to one of frustration and tedium, as the singer laments the far distance to the DMV--a striking contrast to the earlier breeziness and spontaneity. The ensuing verses continue to oscillate between light-hearted moments of absurdity (like "storm chasin' hippies at a discount mall" and the "megaphone muppet poster") and a sense of existential questioning ("speaking in stones like we've never heard before"). The refrain "you take the risk, I'll get the reward" seems both cavalier and wistful, a recognition that youthful recklessness often comes with a price, but also a hunger for adventure and experience.

The final lines of the song bring the lyrics full circle, as the singer and their friends hide in the bushes to eavesdrop on the reaction of "E"--perhaps the same person whose initials were etched in the cement--to the idea of a monument being built in their honor. The immediacy and intimacy of the moment is underscored by the use of nicknames ("BG" for example) and the colloquial language, as if the singer is sharing a private joke with the listener. Overall, "Yr No Stoner" captures the restless spirit of youth, the desire for adventure and meaning, and the inevitability of both loss and possibility.

Line by Line Meaning

Two young fingers in wet cement
A new imprint has been created in front of my apartment by placing two fingers in wet cement.

There's a new impression built in front of my apartment
A new imprint has been created in front of my apartment.

BG & EE that's so sweet
The initials BG and EE is something that is endearing.

I wonder what E's gonna say when she sees
I am curious to know what E's reaction will be when she sees the imprint in front of my apartment.

It's a pretty far walk to the DMV
The DMV is quite a long way from here and would require a considerable amount of walking to reach it.

Storm chasin' hippies at a discount mall
At a discount mall, there are hippies chasing after a storm.

Megaphone muppet poster on the wall
On the wall is a poster of a muppet that has a megaphone.

Speaking in stones like we've never heard before
We are communicating in a unique and unfamiliar way.

You take the risk, I'll get the reward
You can take the chance and I'll reap the benefits.

I don't know too much I just got the keys
I am not very knowledgeable, but I have just received the keys.

There's billionaire buses on my unlit street
There are expensive buses on my poorly lit street.

Hey who's that walkin' up? That looks like E
I have just seen someone who appears to be E walking towards me.

Let's hide in the bushes so that we can hear her say
We should conceal ourselves in the bushes so that we can eavesdrop on E.

"Who would build a monument for me anyway?"
"Why would someone construct a monument in my honor anyway?"

That's B! BG! He'll build it for you babe
B is BG, and he will construct a monument for E.

You know BG, he'll give you what you need
You are aware that BG will give you whatever you require.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: ANDREW CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE, AUSTIN BROWN, MAX SAVAGE, SEAN YEATON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS