Secret Knowledge of Backroads
Pavement Lyrics
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Price the sword
The ancient craft
I'm so bored with your ancient craft
Your ancient laughs
And everyone is laughing at you
Sees it all there
It's behind his southern mind
And it's so new
Haunted call
Said to me,
"It's not as good as the first EP"
Beside himself on the shelf
Off the blue
And into the grey
Sees it all there
Sees it behind him,
It's behind his southern mind
And it's so new
Kick the sand
Kick the can
Kick it in the face of another man
So you kick it up, it's out of town
I've never felt like I do now
But I know what I want
I know it's behind me
Behind my western mind
And it's so new
It's so new.
The song "Secret Knowledge of Backroads" by Pavement is a commentary on the disillusionment of the music industry and the artist's reaction to it. The opening lines, "So you wanted it, price the sword, the ancient craft. I'm so bored with your ancient craft, your ancient laughs, and everyone is laughing at you" suggest that the artist is uninterested in the commercialization of music, and he finds it tired and unoriginal. The phrase "price the sword" may also be a metaphor for the way artists are forced to sell out or compromise their art for monetary gain.
The artist continues to express frustration with the industry later in the song, with the line "Haunted call said to me, 'it's not as good as the first EP.'" This could imply that the artist is feeling pressure from others to meet a certain standard or expectation. However, the artist remains true to his vision, even if it doesn't necessarily meet the standards of the industry or fans.
The chorus, "Sees it all there, sees it behind him, it's behind his southern mind and it's so new" suggests that the artist is looking beyond the confines and expectations of the industry, into a more creative and authentic space.
Overall, the song is a critique of the music industry and commercialization of art, while also showcasing the artist's commitment to remaining true to their craft, even if it doesn't meet the expectations of the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
So you wanted it
You desired it
Price the sword
Value this weapon
The ancient craft
The old technique
I'm so bored with your ancient craft
I'm uninterested in your outdated method
Your ancient laughs
Your old chuckles
And everyone is laughing at you
And everyone is ridiculing you
Sees it all there
Visualizes everything in that place
Sees it behind him,
Observes it from behind him
It's behind his southern mind
It's in his southern thoughts
And it's so new
And it's very novel
Haunted call
Eerie phone call
Said to me,
Told me
"It's not as good as the first EP"
"It's inferior to the initial extended play"
Beside himself on the shelf
Beside himself on the shelf
Off the blue
Off the blue
And into the grey
And into the grey
Kick the sand
Punt the sand
Kick the can
Kick the container
Kick it in the face of another man
Kick another man's face
So you kick it up, it's out of town
So you kick it up, it's out of town
I've never felt like I do now
I've never felt like I do now
But I know what I want
But I know what I want
I know it's behind me
I know it's behind me
Behind my western mind
In my western thoughts
And it's so new
And it's very novel
It's so new.
It's very novel.
Contributed by Kaitlyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@retisonic
David Berman, RIP.
@MeanManu
retisonic every time I drink and listen to anything Berman related and I get sad now, I miss him, but I was lucky enough to have a good long conversation with him once and I will cherish that memory for ever
@johnnyonetake9249
Probably my favorite dcb song...rip
@remypeyre1225
A bottle of cheap wine brought me here... I definitely need another one
@benspier9955
Rest in peace David
@user-mu3vs2rg2s
One of few pavement songs i used to put on repeat and came back to after 20 years later...
@clubfootcameltoe
This is one of those songs that catches you driving west at dusk with a doobie hanging out of your mouth wondering if California is actually its own planet.
@TheNeverposts
not bad
@leejohnson4873
Lee
@m1g0t0
Ever stop at Amboy? Free salt.