The Beast and Dragon Adored
Spoon Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The beast and dragon, adored
You been gone so long
Where you been for so long
I went to places unknown
Rented a room
And I forgot my pen
Shook my twin
And I had to find the feelin' again

Now all I need is a crew
One that can act as if
One that can slay on cue
And sneeze and sniff
Uh-huh alright
I'm going back to the water
Been landlocked too long

I got a feelin' it don't come cheap
I got a feelin' oh and then it got to me
It took its time a-working into my soul
I got to believe it come from rock and roll
Believe it come from rock and roll

Where did you get for so long
I been learning my scene
I been watching my friends move away
I summon my love back to me
And I went down by the seawall
That's when I knew, knew They Never Got You

Great dominions they don't come cheap
Great dominions they just want you to leave
I got the meaning the meaning sat tight
Said it's not what you expected but it could be right

I got a feelin' it didn't come free
I got a feelin' and then it got to me
When you don't fell it it shows they tear out your soul




And when you believe they call it rock and roll
And when you believe they call it rock and roll

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Spoon’s song The Beast and Dragon Adored seems to be about the struggles of being a successful musician and staying true to oneself. The title itself is quite cryptic but it can be interpreted as the music industry as being the beast and dragon that is adored by many. The song starts off with the singer mentioning how long it has been since they have been away and they talk about traveling to unknown places and feeling lost without their pen. This could be a reference to not being able to write or create music, which could be the cause of their absence.


As the song progresses, the singer mentions the need for a crew that can “act as if” and “slay on cue.” This could be interpreted as performing for an audience and having to put on a show, even if it doesn’t feel authentic. They also mention being landlocked for too long and going back to the water. This could mean being stuck in one place creatively and needing to explore different avenues for inspiration.


The chorus mentions the feeling of believing in something that is not tangible but is felt deep in one's soul. The line “when you don't feel it, it shows they tear out your soul; and when you believe, they call it rock and roll,” sums up the theme of the song quite well. It’s about the struggle to stay true to oneself in a world where the music industry can be exploitative.


Line by Line Meaning

The beast and dragon, adored
Addressing a powerful entity that is both feared and revered


You been gone so long
Asking where the addressed entity has been for an extended period of time


Where you been for so long
Reiterating the question of the addressed entity's whereabouts


I went to places unknown
Explaining where the artist has been during the addressed entity's absence


Rented a room
Detailing a specific action taken by the artist during their journey


And I forgot my pen
A minor setback experienced by the singer during their travels


Shook my twin
Implying that the singer has dealt with personal issues or doubts


And I had to find the feelin' again
The artist went on a journey of self-discovery to regain inspiration or motivation


Now all I need is a crew
The artist has a desire for companionship and support


One that can act as if
The artist wants a crew that can pretend or fake confidence


One that can slay on cue
The singer wants a crew that can perform their duties perfectly


And sneeze and sniff
The artist wants a crew that is human and not afraid to show their vulnerabilities


Uh-huh alright
An expression of agreement or approval


I'm going back to the water
The singer is returning to their roots or a source of inspiration


Been landlocked too long
The singer has been stuck in a creative rut for too long


I got a feelin' it don't come cheap
The artist believes that finding inspiration or success requires significant effort or sacrifice


I got a feelin' oh and then it got to me
The artist suddenly experienced a realization or epiphany


It took its time a-working into my soul
The realization or inspiration was a gradual process


I got to believe it come from rock and roll
The singer attributes their inspiration or motivation to the power of music, specifically rock and roll


Where did you get for so long
Asking the addressed entity where they have been for an extended period of time


I been learning my scene
The artist has been studying their environment or field


I been watching my friends move away
The artist has been observing the changes and departures of those close to them


I summon my love back to me
The singer is calling for the return of their emotional connection or inspiration


And I went down by the seawall
The artist went to a location by the ocean for introspection or inspiration


That's when I knew, knew They Never Got You
The singer realized that others do not understand or appreciate the addressed entity as they do


Great dominions they don't come cheap
The singer is acknowledging that achieving greatness or a position of power requires significant effort or sacrifice


Great dominions they just want you to leave
Once you have reached a position of power, others may want you to relinquish it


I got the meaning the meaning sat tight
The artist has discovered a significant realization or inspiration that has stuck with them


Said it's not what you expected but it could be right
The artist has discovered an unexpected truth or insight that they believe to be correct


I got a feelin' it didn't come free
The singer believes that their realization or inspiration came at a cost


When you don't fell it it shows they tear out your soul
If you lack inspiration or motivation, it can have negative effects on your well-being


And when you believe they call it rock and roll
The artist believes that inspiration or motivation, when it comes from art or creativity, can be referred to as rock and roll


And when you believe they call it rock and roll
Reiteration of the previous line




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRITT DANIEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

ttvPseuderity

One of Spoon's greatest songs. Gets me hyped every time.

DjMAXIPAD

Anyone else get goosebumps listening to this masterpiece? 😊

Hoover72

That rise up to the chorus gets me every time.

Kevin Trotter

Yes I do, Big-time!

cathy smith

I just discovered this band I absolutely love thier music would love to see them in concert sometime.

Ali_playz345

One of my favourite songs ever. Great stuff lads.

Stevez61

Just another Spoon masterpiece...what a great song.

Whit3andR3d

at 2:38 I get chills. Every. Time. Such a great song, heard it live twice now.

MrBriller

Yes

Ryan Azak

One of the first mind-blowing albums of my early-20s. This song always makes me happy.

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