Q and Not U was a Washington, D.C. post-hardcore band from 1998-2005, signe… Read Full Bio ↴Q and Not U was a Washington, D.C. post-hardcore band from 1998-2005, signed with Dischord Records. Their sound, with fractured guitar leads and disorganized and inventive percussion, was a direct tribute to DC post-hardcore forefathers like Fugazi and Rites of Spring, but added noticably more art-damaged and rhythmic elements to their chaotic and emotional music. Members John Davis, Harris Klahr, Christopher Richards, and Matt Borlik formed the band in 1998. After Borlik's departure following the release of their first album, the band went on to record two more critically lauded LPs as a three-piece, exploring aspects of post-hardcore, dance-punk, and other disparate musical styles. Q and Not U disbanded in September 2005 after completing their touring commitments and a short farewell stand in Washington, D.C.

Book of Flags
Q and Not U Lyrics

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An iron gate surrounds you stinking like rotting lace
Your flags are waving dishonestly
A pining plaything, so false so pleased, your flags are aching to bloom from distand grouds, drowning out every sound
Ten generations, ten-thousand nations reditributed like a lost and found
We're keeping our flags at home
We're keeping our flags indoors
We're pulling them from our clothes
We're spending some time alone

"You better not child."
Your flag confessed it's first confession calling out all your guests, calling out all your children
Like it or not, "child."
I knocked your system up
I drank your system down
I'm showing symptoms
I fucked your system
Look, now I'm pregnant with the whole damn town
We wrapped your flag up (they never want to be alone)
We wrapped your flag up tight (they never want to be alone)
We tucked your flag in (there's trouble in the house tonight)
We kissed your flag goodnight

I miss the precious sounds, the tender sounds, the softer sounds
I miss the underground

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Q and Not U's song "Book of Flags" are rich in visuals and metaphors, leaving much room to interpretation. At its core, the song seems to be addressing the dishonesty and hypocrisies within nationalism and identity politics. The first verse depicts a person or entity surrounded by an iron gate, representing the walls they have built around themselves. However, despite their attempts to project strength and pride through their waving flags, their true intentions are revealed as dishonest. The second verse speaks of the historical and cultural appropriation inherent in nations and how they have been redistributed throughout history, yet Q and Not U highlight the importance of keeping one's flag, whatever it may be, close to oneself and not projecting it onto others.

Line by Line Meaning

An iron gate surrounds you stinking like rotting lace
You're trapped and in a decaying place

Your flags are waving dishonestly
Your symbols are being used for deceit and dishonesty

A pining plaything, so false so pleased, your flags are aching to bloom from distand grouds, drowning out every sound
You display your flags with fervor, hoping they will distract from your falseness and overshadow everything else

Ten generations, ten-thousand nations reditributed like a lost and found
Through history and conflict, flags have been claimed and reclaimed, like lost items in a lost and found

We're keeping our flags at home
We won't display our flags publicly, instead keeping them in our homes

We're keeping our flags indoors
Our flags won't be waved outside to represent us

We're pulling them from our clothes
Even our personal attire won't bear our symbol

We're spending some time alone
We value our independence and individuality, and won't be swayed by group mentality

"You better not child."
The command to not bring up certain topics or ideas

Your flag confessed it's first confession calling out all your guests, calling out all your children
Your flag revealed its true nature, exposing the flaws in the very people who follow it

Like it or not, "child."
A condescending way of addressing someone as inferior or in need of guidance

I knocked your system up
I caused chaos and destruction within your society

I drank your system down
I took away the structure and governance of your society

I'm showing symptoms
The negative effects of my actions are becoming apparent

I fucked your system
I destroyed the stability of your society

Look, now I'm pregnant with the whole damn town
The town is now burdened with the chaos and consequences of my actions

We wrapped your flag up (they never want to be alone)
Your flag seeks comfort in companionship and does not want to stand alone

We wrapped your flag up tight (they never want to be alone)
We provided extra security for your flag's need for companionship

We tucked your flag in (there's trouble in the house tonight)
We tried to protect your flag from conflict and negative emotions

We kissed your flag goodnight
We showed affection and care towards your flag

I miss the precious sounds, the tender sounds, the softer sounds
The gentleness and sincerity of the past is missed

I miss the underground
The avant-garde and unconventional ideas and movements are no longer present