Frontwards
Pavement Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am the only one
Searching for you
And if I get caught
Then the search is through
And the stories you hear, you know they never add up
I hear the natives fussing at the data chart
Be quiet, the weather's on the night news
Empty homes
Plastic cones
Stolen rims, are they alloy or chrome?
Well I've got style
Miles and miles
So much style that it's wasted
So much style that it's wasted
So much style that it's wasted

Now, she's the only one
Who always inhales
Paris is stale
And it's war if we fail

And in the migrant hotels, they never sleep, they never will
Their souls are crumbling like a dirt clod, hold
Your cigarette cuts to the inside

Empty homes
Plastic cones
Stolen rims, are they alloy or chrome?
Well I've got style
Miles and miles
So much style that it's leaving




It's pattern's torn and we're weaving
This battle's torn and we're weaving

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in 'Frontwards' by Pavement are open to interpretation but it seems that the song is about a person who is searching for someone else. The opening line, "I am the only one searching for you" establishes this. It appears that this search is not entirely legal, and if they get caught, the search will be over. The line "And the stories you hear, you know they never add up" implies that the person being searched for is trying to hide something. The next few lines describe a place where people are fussing over data charts, which could likely be a reference to the government.


The next verse shifts to a woman who always inhales, and Paris being stale. This could mean that the woman is always smoking and that Paris is boring or maybe even a metaphor representing the singer's disappointment in the city. The line "And in the migrant hotels, they never sleep, they never will" portrays feelings of hopelessness and despair. It could be a reference to the people who are forced to live in such hotels whose lives are always a struggle.


The last part of the song describes empty homes, plastic cones, and stolen rims. These things could all be metaphors for the lack of stability or the fragility of the scenes described before. The song ends enigmatically with lines "So much style it's leaving, Its pattern's torn and we're weaving, This battle's torn and were weaving," implying that the situation might be beyond repair.


Overall, the song 'Frontwards' is a mysterious and cryptic piece that seems to explore themes of vulnerability, instability, and despair.


Line by Line Meaning

I am the only one Searching for you And if I get caught Then the search is through
I am on a mission to find you and if I am caught, I will have to give up the search


And the stories you hear, you know they never add up I hear the natives fussing at the data chart Be quiet, the weather's on the night news
The news and information we receive is often contradictory and unreliable, creating unrest among the people


Empty homes Plastic cones Stolen rims, are they alloy or chrome? Well I've got style Miles and miles So much style that it's wasted So much style that it's wasted So much style that it's wasted
The singer has a lot of style and flair, but it goes unnoticed and is wasted


Now, she's the only one Who always inhales Paris is stale And it's war if we fail
The girl mentioned is addicted to drugs and Paris has lost its allure; everything is at stake and success is critical


And in the migrant hotels, they never sleep, they never will Their souls are crumbling like a dirt clod, hold Your cigarette cuts to the inside
Illegal immigrants living in migrant hotels are struggling and their dreams are being crushed, their hardships taking a toll emotionally


Empty homes Plastic cones Stolen rims, are they alloy or chrome? Well I've got style Miles and miles So much style that it's leaving It's pattern's torn and we're weaving This battle's torn and we're weaving
The singer's earlier style is now falling apart like a pattern, while the battle and conflict continue to rage on




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Scott Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Rinto Hiramatsu

This song is so underrated

Arthur Edmonds

True

Jr98qpr

Are they alloy or chrome?

More Versions