Before recording under the name Phosphorescent, Houck traveled the world playing under the moniker Fillup Shack and, in 2000, self-released a limited pressing of the album "Hipolit". In 2001 Houck changed his recording name to Phosphorescent, and, in 2003, released the full-length album "A Hundred Times or More". Interestingly, in the liner notes of the album, Fillup Shack is credited with the drum recordings. The following year, he released the EP "The Weight of Flight".
Phosphorescent rose to wider critical acclaim after releasing "Aw Come Aw Wry" in August 2005 and "Pride" in October 2007. The latter was named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine and received a 8.0 rating from indie website Pitchfork Media. In 2009, inspired by Willie Nelson's tribute album to Lefty Frizzell entitled "To Lefty From Willie", Houck crafted a tribute album to Nelson himself entitled "To Willie" which was released through Dead Oceans. Phosphorescent released "Here's to Taking It Easy" in 2010 and "Muchacho" in 2013.
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Bullet
Phosphorescent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it won't ever let on
the gavel won't knock yet
it's just the falling and falling
it's a wholly different day
than what i woke in yesterday
blink at the ceiling
and everything has changed
that won't look meek in the morning light
i got nothing to offer
but words that just keep falling down all the time
hey youre a bullet
youre a bullet now
given the blacktop
and a donkey to ride
there's some that you'll follow
and some you'll bury in the night
and august is gleaming
and it's easy to forget
that the record is leaning
to overwrought and underfed
hey youre a bullet
youre a bullet now
'i'm taken with purity'
one time a mouth said to me
with the moon on her shoulders
and the water in her hair
and with all of your clothes
lying there on the bank
and all of your troubles
brought to the water softly sank
The first verse of the song "Bullet" by Phosphorescent talks about the inevitability of gravity and how it affects us all. The reference to the gavel not knocking yet suggests that there is no final judgment that can undo this force. "Falling and falling" is a metaphor for the way we may feel trapped in our own lives, unable to pull ourselves out of the downward spiral. The second part of this verse refers to how every day can be different from the previous one, and how even a single blink can change everything. There is a sense of helplessness here, as the singer is unable to find any hope or meaning in the situation. The repeated phrase "nothing to offer" emphasizes this feeling of emptiness.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "you're a bullet," which can be interpreted in different ways. It could be seen as a compliment to someone who is unstoppable, like a bullet fired from a gun. Alternatively, it could be a warning that the person is endangering themselves or others by their actions, like a bullet in flight.
The second verse continues the theme of following or burying certain people, as if they are markers on a journey. The month of August is mentioned, which could signify a time of change or transition. The line "the record is leaning" could refer to a sense of imbalance or instability in the world, and the feeling of being "overwrought and underfed" suggests a lack of nourishment or sustenance.
The final verse of the song refers to a memory or dream of a moment of purity, perhaps a fleeting feeling of peace or clarity. The image of clothes scattered on a riverbank suggests a moment of vulnerability or exposure, with all troubles being slowly washed away. The line "with the moon on her shoulders/and the water in her hair" evokes a sense of natural beauty and wonder.
Overall, the song "Bullet" seems to be grappling with the feeling of being stuck or trapped in a negative cycle, unable to find meaning or direction. The repeated image of falling or being pulled down is at odds with the sense of movement and journeying in the other verses, perhaps suggesting that the only way out is to keep moving, even if it feels like falling.
Line by Line Meaning
the thing about gravity
Gravity is a force that never gives a warning
it won't ever let on
Gravity always exerts a force regardless of circumstances
the gavel won't knock yet
Judgement is not yet meted out
it's just the falling and falling
A state of unrelenting descent
it's a wholly different day
Things have changed beyond recognition
than what i woke in yesterday
The past seems like a different world
blink at the ceiling
Behold the world anew every day
and everything has changed
The world is always in flux
and there is nothing to offer
There's nothing left to give
that won't look meek in the morning light
Whatever remains is destined to appear unimpressive in daylight
i got nothing to offer
There's nothing to give
but words that just keep falling down all the time
Only words tumble from me persistently
hey youre a bullet
You're moving inexorably forward
youre a bullet now
You're on a trajectory that cannot be stopped
given the blacktop
Given the freedom to roam
and a donkey to ride
And the means to go where you wish
there's some that you'll follow
You'll follow some people
and some you'll bury in the night
Others will be left behind or forgotten
and august is gleaming
The summer sun is shining
and it's easy to forget
It's easy to lose sight of what is important
that the record is leaning
That the balance of things has shifted
to overwrought and underfed
Toward being overburdened and undernourished
'i'm taken with purity'
The singer was captivated by the idea of purity
one time a mouth said to me
Someone once said to me
with the moon on her shoulders
In the light of the moon
and the water in her hair
And water sparkling in her hair
and with all of your clothes
And with everything laid bare
lying there on the bank
Exposed and vulnerable
and all of your troubles
And with all your worries and cares
brought to the water softly sank
Gently eased into the water and forgotten
Contributed by Audrey O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.