Dumb Terminal
Simon Bookish Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm moved
It's more than a change of address, this town is sinking slowly
I've moved, and you've moved, too
It's neither tectonic plates nor the pull of the moon

It's cruel
You must swim in the sea
Because you can't use the plane to come here to see me
You'll need goose fat and goggles

Who built this dumb terminal?

We've moved
Like a slide down smooth into a mess of our own making
Is it true?
We shouldn't second-guess

I've moved
And you've moved through
From being tiny, careless consumer to something serious





Men and women sinking slowly

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from Simon Bookish's song Dumb Terminal describe a situation where both the singer and the person he's addressing have moved to different places. The singer is reflecting on how their movement is not just a change of address - it's a change in their lives as they know it. He describes the town as "sinking slowly", implying that it is going through some kind of decline or change. The movement is not caused by any external forces like tectonic plates, but something internal to both the singer and the person he's addressing.


The situation is described as cruel as the person he's addressing must swim to see him instead of taking a plane. The imagery of goose fat and goggles adds a surreal touch to the lyrics, almost as if it's a dreamlike experience rather than a physical one. The lyrics then ask who built this dumb terminal, which could refer to the physical location the singer is in, or the metaphysical concept of being stuck in one place, unable to move on or escape.


The song is reflective of the changes one goes through in life, and the importance of not second-guessing oneself. It's a reminder that growth and change are necessary to become a more serious, mature person.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm moved
I'm emotionally affected


It's more than a change of address, this town is sinking slowly
This town is gradually deteriorating, beyond just a relocation


I've moved, and you've moved, too
We've both relocated


It's neither tectonic plates nor the pull of the moon
The reason for the sinking is not natural phenomena


It's cruel
The situation is unfair and harsh


You must swim in the sea
The only way to reach me is through great effort


Because you can't use the plane to come here to see me
Air travel is not an option


You'll need goose fat and goggles
You'll need specialized gear to endure the journey


Who built this dumb terminal?
Who is responsible for this frustrating situation?


We've moved
We've both relocated


Like a slide down smooth into a mess of our own making
We've smoothly transitioned into a difficult situation we've created


Is it true?
Can it be trusted or confirmed?


We shouldn't second-guess
We shouldn't doubt ourselves


I've moved
I've relocated


And you've moved through
You've gone through the process of moving


From being tiny, careless consumer to something serious
We've grown from being insignificant consumers to important individuals


Men and women sinking slowly
People gradually deteriorating




Contributed by Ruby P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

gb7gbgb02

Excellent stuff! I'd never heard of Simon until Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy) covered 'Interview' at a concert last month.

gunmetaljaguar

This is a song by the recording artist Simon Bookish. I listened to it on my laptop computer.

UniQueLyEviL

I'm fucking LOVING THIS!!

Thraeryn

This was a song that my computer played through its speakers just now.

mazolia

oboe solo, wicked

GioshoPosho

WOW. NICE.

dandi wind

loveeeee

rahala16

LOOL LIBRARIAN XD

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