Stereo Sanctity
Sonic Youth Lyrics


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Seven
Seven

I'm keeping my commission to faith's transmission
Two speakers dream the same and skies turn red
Satellites flashing down Orchard and Delancey
I can't get laid 'cause everyone is dead
Hey, gold connections
Analog soul waving in your hair
Hey, hylozoic directions
She's talking blue streaks everywhere
Your spirit is time-reversed to your body
Stereographic mix-up field on field
It started growing up the day your body dies
Only apparently, real to irreal
Hey, stereo stations
Perfect image, kneel down




Hey, hypostatic information
Come on let's hear you turn it around

Overall Meaning

The song "Stereo Sanctity" by Sonic Youth explores themes of faith, communication, and the blurred boundaries between reality and the imagination. The song begins with the repetition of the word "seven," possibly a reference to the seven days of creation in the Bible, setting the tone for the spiritual and existential themes that run throughout the lyrics.


The first verse describes the singer's commitment to transmitting their faith through their art, represented by two speakers that "dream the same." The mention of the red skies and flashing satellites creates a sense of disorientation and chaos, and the line "I can't get laid 'cause everyone is dead" suggests that the singer is feeling isolated and disconnected from others in the world.


The second verse delves into the idea of the mind and spirit being disconnected from the body, as represented by the "stereographic mix-up field on field." The lyrics suggest that the spiritual aspects of our being are more permanent than our physical bodies, which will eventually die. The use of technical language such as "hylozoic" and "hypostatic" adds to the sense of detachment and intellectual exploration.


Overall, "Stereo Sanctity" is a complex and layered exploration of faith and the interplay between the physical and spiritual realms, with vivid imagery and evocative language.


Line by Line Meaning

Seven
The beginning of counting, symbolizing the start of a journey.


Seven
Reinforcement of the idea that we are on a journey.


I'm keeping my commission to faith's transmission
Staying true to one's faith without compromise.


Two speakers dream the same and skies turn red
Two people feeling the same thing and the world around them changing dramatically.


Satellites flashing down Orchard and Delancey
The modern world coming to a specific place in New York City.


I can't get laid 'cause everyone is dead
The singer's inability to connect with others possibly due to social isolation.


Hey, gold connections
Drawn to things and people of value and wealth.


Analog soul waving in your hair
The tangible, physical aspect of our spirituality being intertwined with our being.


Hey, hylozoic directions
The idea that everything in the world has a soul and is alive.


She's talking blue streaks everywhere
Someone speaking excitedly and without hesitation or restraint.


Your spirit is time-reversed to your body
Our spirit and inner selves having a different timeline and pace than our physical bodies.


Stereographic mix-up field on field
Different realities or perspectives colliding or overlapping.


It started growing up the day your body dies
The idea that we can't fully grow and experience life until our physical bodies are gone and our spirits are free.


Only apparently, real to irreal
What is real at first glance can be revealed to be an illusion or false.


Hey, stereo stations
The power and influence of music and its ability to transport us.


Perfect image, kneel down
Feeling enamored with or submissive to an ideal or image.


Hey, hypostatic information
Calling out a deeper, more profound understanding of the world around us.


Come on let's hear you turn it around
Inviting or challenging someone to see things from a different perspective or to create change.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KIM GORDON, LEE M. RANALDO, STEVEN JAY SHELLEY, THURSTON JOSEPH MOORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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