Phoenix
Slaughter Beach Dog Lyrics


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From the corner of third and Washington
You can′t see where your brother went
Out somewhere past the beat cops
And beautiful women who work for the government
They walk by in air-conditioned tunnels
That are a cut above the street
While I sweat in my hot coffee
And daydream about how we might meet

Your mother asked for a picture
She says today's your birthday
In some strung out western stutter
Making all the world her ashtray
She adjusts her aviators
With an absent shaking hand
Tilts the camera forward 45 degrees
And calls out modeling commands

When we used to go to parties
You′d spend an hour before the mirror
And I'd drink your gin
And ask about your high school souvenirs
Tacked on the wall above the bed
An old Inkjet collage
But you were never much for talking
So I knelt to your mirage

We'd walk the three blocks westbound
In the moonlit Philly fall
And the party would be grand
All our friends would grin with pride
All our friends would be so drunk
And have such pleasant things to say
And at last, we′d see each other
In the way that we had dreamed to be seen

Those nights your house kept secret
We′d stumble up the stairs
My hands tore through your records
While your hands unpinned your hair
The both of us still green enough
To remove the other's clothes




A quiet signal of devotion
That I am happy to have known

Overall Meaning

The Slaughter Beach Dog's song Phoenix is a melancholic reflection on the past, soaked in nostalgia and heartache. The song paints a vivid picture of the streets, people, and relationships that the singer leaves behind, focusing on specific moments that now only exist as memories. The first verse sets the scene at the intersection of Third and Washington streets, where the singer stands and watches people passing by. He points out how some people have it easy, walking through air-conditioned tunnels, while he is stuck with a cup of hot coffee and daydreams. The juxtaposition between the singer's reality and the passing people's privilege highlights his sense of detachment and longing. The second verse introduces another person, the subject of the singer's affection, who is now far away. She asks for a picture on her birthday, but the strained conversation between the singer and her mother suggests that their relationship is not close. The lyrics imply that the two used to go to parties together, but they don't anymore. While she used to spend hours primping in front of the mirror, he used to drink her gin and listen to her stories. The sadness of this reminiscence is palpable, as the lyrics talk about "high school souvenirs" that now only exist as a "mirage."


The third verse continues the exploration of their past relationship, this time focusing on the parties that they used to attend. The singer recalls how grand everything felt, how happy their friends were, and how they would finally see each other "in the way that we had dreamed to be seen." However, the lyrics take a darker turn in the final verse, revealing the secret moments that they shared behind closed doors. The singer recalls stumbling up the stairs of her house and undressing in silence. The "quiet signal of devotion" is a poignant way of describing their intimacy, implying that they had a deep connection that transcended words. However, the past tense of the lyrics makes it clear that this connection is now lost, leaving the singer alone with his memories.


Overall, Phoenix is a touching and heartfelt ballad about love, loss, and living in the past. It captures those moments of yearning and regret that we all experience and reminds us that, even though we can't go back, the memories can still bring comfort and solace.


Line by Line Meaning

From the corner of third and Washington
Starting location of the singer's current situation and state.


You can′t see where your brother went
Feeling lost and abandoned by a close family member.


Out somewhere past the beat cops
Outside the normal, safe, and easy places to be.


And beautiful women who work for the government
Attractive women with careers that require some level of professionalism.


They walk by in air-conditioned tunnels
These women traverse comfortable and structured paths in their professional lives.


That are a cut above the street
Their lifestyles differ from the singer's, who is experiencing the grittier side of things.


While I sweat in my hot coffee
Feeling stuck and uncomfortable in the present moment.


And daydream about how we might meet
Focusing on the possibility of a better future and a happier life.


Your mother asked for a picture
Asking for a tangible way to remember a special moment.


She says today's your birthday
A reminder of the celebratory nature of the special moment that was captured.


In some strung-out western stutter
Her voice is labored and hindered, possibly under the influence of drugs or about to break down emotionally.


Making all the world her ashtray
Her life has been turbulent, and the evidence of this can be seen all around her.


She adjusts her aviators
Making some kind of physical adjustment to signify her readiness or focus.


With an absent shaking hand
Her hand trembles, which could indicate a suppressed worry or fear.


Tilts the camera forward 45 degrees
Making a minor adjustment to the camera for the perfect shot.


And calls out modeling commands
Gives guidance on how the subjects in the photograph should pose or look.


When we used to go to parties
Memories of the past when the singer and his lover used to go out and attend social events together.


You′d spend an hour before the mirror
Prioritizing appearance and vanity before going out for parties.


And I'd drink your gin
Drinking his lover's alcohol and enjoying himself.


And ask about your high school souvenirs
Making an effort to know more about his lover's history and interests.


Tacked on the wall above the bed
Referring to some beloved keepsake displayed on the bedroom wall.


An old Inkjet collage
Visual proof of a shared bond between the singer and his lover.


But you were never much for talking
His lover never had much to say, so the singer learned to adapt.


So I knelt to your mirage
He adapted and found a way to connect with his lover by honoring her shallow, surrealist internal world.


We'd walk the three blocks westbound
Thinking about a specific event where the singer and his lover traveled through a specific part of town.


In the moonlit Philly fall
Describing the setting of the particular event.


And the party would be grand
Positive and pleasant anticipation of the party or event.


All our friends would grin with pride
The singer and his lover know many people, are well-liked, and successful in terms of their social lives.


All our friends would be so drunk
The carefree nature of the event and the state of the party-goers.


And have such pleasant things to say
Everyone at the party was enjoying themselves and had positivity to share.


And at last, we′d see each other
The most thrilling and anticipated moment is when the singer and his lover finally see each other at the party.


In the way that we had dreamed to be seen
The moment of reunion fulfills the dreamy hopes they have for each other and their relationship.


Those nights your house kept secret
Describing a time when the singer and his lover shared intimacy in the privacy of their home.


We′d stumble up the stairs
The influence of alcohol in their movements and emotions.


My hands tore through your records
They are behaving with passion and excitement as they explore each other's possessions.


While your hands unpinned your hair
His lover is enjoying the sensation of having her hair free and being able to relax in his company.


The both of us still green enough
Despite their passion, they are still inexperienced enough to be cautious.


To remove the other's clothes
They are slowly and steadily exploring each other's bodies with gentle care.


A quiet signal of devotion
Their actions signal love and commitment to each other.


That I am happy to have known
The relationship may have ended or changed, but the memories and happiness remain.




Writer(s): Jacob Starnes Ewald

Contributed by Alexander W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@RiseAgainstFan35

From the corner of 3rd and Washington
You can't see where your brother went
Out somewhere out past the beat cops
And beautiful women who work for the government
They walk by in air conditioned tunnels that arc high above the street
While I sweat in my hot coffee
And daydream about how we might meet

Your mother asked for a picture
She says today's your birthday
In some strung-out Western stutter
Making all the world her ashtray
She adjusts her aviators
With an absent shaking hand
Tilts the camera 45 degrees
And calls out modeling commands

When we used to go to parties
You'd spend an hour before the mirror
And I'd drink your gin and ask about your high school souvenirs
Tacked on the wall above the bed
An old inkjet collage
But you were never much for talking
So I knelt to your mirage

We'd walk the three blocks westbound
In the moonlit Philly fall
And the party would be grand
All our friends would grin with pride
All our friends would be so drunk
And have such pleasant things to say
Then at last we'd see each other
In the way that we had dreamed to be seen

Those nights your house kept secrets
We'd stumble up the stairs
My hands tore through your records
While your hands unpinned your hair
The both of us still green enough to remove the other's clothes
The quiet signal of devotion that I am happy to have known



@CamVonBarren

From the corner of 3rd and Washington
You can't see where your brother went
Out somewhere past the beat cops
And beautiful women who work for the government
They walk by in air-conditioned tunnels
That are a cut above the street
While I sweat in my hot coffee
And daydream about how we might meet

Your mother asked for a picture
She says "today's your birthday"
In some strung out western stutter
Making all the world her ashtray
She adjusts her aviators
With an absent shaking hand
Tilts the camera forward forty-five degrees
And calls out modeling commands

When we used to go to parties
You'd spend an hour before the mirror
And I'd drink your gin
And ask about your high school souvenirs
Tacked on the wall above the bed
An old Inkjet collage
But you were never much for talking
So I knelt to your garage

We'd walk the three blocks westbound
In the moonlit Philly fall
And the party would be grand
All our friends would grin with pride
All our friends would be so drunk
And have such pleasant things to say
And at last, we'd see each other
In the way that we had dreamed to be seen

Those nights your house kept secret
We'd stumble up the stairs
My hands tore through your records
While your hands unpinned your hair
The both of us still green enough
To remove the other's clothes
A quiet signal of devotion
That I am happy to have known



All comments from YouTube:

@elia_ssss

"A quiet signal of devotion that I am happy to have known"

One of my favorite lines from any song ever made

@rhubarbpie2027

I heard this song on public radio today, and was frantically trying to "Shazam" it before ending. In my haste, I hit the tune button and changed channels before it was recognized. Thankfully, I searched what lyrics I remembered and ended up here.

@sejcai

in what counties do they play songs like these 😭😭 mine only plays riptide (i mean nothing wrong with that but i have heard it a million times i swear)

@rhubarbpie2027

@@sejcai the USA! It was a National Public Radio station (NPR) on the East coast, in North Carolina.

@fratbear2524

that must’ve been a pretty moment.

@SuperWisemon

Every lyric in this track is just astonishingly well realized. Ever since MOBO's Holy Ghost the lyrical quality of Bren and Jake's works have both skyrocketed, but I think this track is the best representation of just how far Jake has come in terms of songwriting especially. Lyrics like "The both of us still green enough to remove the other's clothes" and "Making all the world her ashtray" are so effective at telling the story and setting the scene. In the past, sentiments like this would be taken up by entire, admittedly clumsy, verses in Sports or You're Gonna Miss it All, yet nowadays the meaning and impact can all be compactly fit into such brilliant lines. I can't stress enough how impressed I am at the growth everyone from MOBO has been through.

@noahpacheco944

Thanks jake, because of this you have helped me and countless others out of a lot of stuff and I personally can't thank you enough for it. Buy at the moonbase vinyls today folks.

@jam1e515

the most beautiful song I've ever heard

@RiseAgainstFan35

From the corner of 3rd and Washington
You can't see where your brother went
Out somewhere out past the beat cops
And beautiful women who work for the government
They walk by in air conditioned tunnels that arc high above the street
While I sweat in my hot coffee
And daydream about how we might meet

Your mother asked for a picture
She says today's your birthday
In some strung-out Western stutter
Making all the world her ashtray
She adjusts her aviators
With an absent shaking hand
Tilts the camera 45 degrees
And calls out modeling commands

When we used to go to parties
You'd spend an hour before the mirror
And I'd drink your gin and ask about your high school souvenirs
Tacked on the wall above the bed
An old inkjet collage
But you were never much for talking
So I knelt to your mirage

We'd walk the three blocks westbound
In the moonlit Philly fall
And the party would be grand
All our friends would grin with pride
All our friends would be so drunk
And have such pleasant things to say
Then at last we'd see each other
In the way that we had dreamed to be seen

Those nights your house kept secrets
We'd stumble up the stairs
My hands tore through your records
While your hands unpinned your hair
The both of us still green enough to remove the other's clothes
The quiet signal of devotion that I am happy to have known

@kkasabian

I love how this is their first song on the album.

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