Fractions & Feelings
Stephen Malkmus Lyrics


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when I think of high school years
all the faces are not airbrushed
in fact they’re probably far more grotesque than real life as it was
memories, they’re too surprising
because memories they tend to distort and if you want a report I’ll hand it in yesterday
take me to a higher place
fractions and feelings
and the cops put a stop to all of our plots
the way that they walked and the way that they talked
grow down you grow down…
memories define the mind’s dj
so come along honey and let me say that’s what I’m on about
yes we all evolve in haste
it’s a race you never finish
the grace does not diminish
the pace until the game is over
of course you’re deeper than a team
but I hear the same chatter
you’re just the same matter
I’ve known with a few more years on your face
take me to a higher place
with your fractions and your feelings
and the cops put a stop to all of our plots
the way that they talk and the way that they walk
they grow down they grow down…
memories define the mind’s dj




so come along honey and let me say that’s what I’m on about
I hope I never see, I know I won’t ever go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Stephen Malkmus's song Fractions & Feelings reflect on the experiences and memories of high school years. Malkmus mentions that the faces of the people he knew in high school are not airbrushed, most likely having undergone some changes that made them look more grotesque than real. Memories, Malkmus asserts, are too surprising and can be distorted, making it difficult to provide a report on real life as it was. He then sings about taking him to a higher place, where fractions and feelings coalesce, and the cops intervene to stop all the plots. He ends the verse by stating that memories define the mind's DJ.


In the second verse, Malkmus sings about the fact that everyone evolves fast, but there's no end to the race. Although the pace may change, the grace does not diminish, and it continues until the game is over. He also highlights the fact that although people may appear deeper than their respective teams, they turn out to be the same matter. Malkmus, like in the first verse, ends the verse by saying he wants to be taken to a higher place, where fractions and feelings combine.


Overall, Stephen Malkmus's song Fractions & Feelings seems to be a rumination on the nature of memories, how they can be distorted, and how we evolve and grow as people. The song touches on themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the fear of never returning to the same experiences and people that we once knew.


Line by Line Meaning

when I think of high school years
Reflecting back to my high school years


all the faces are not airbrushed
I remember everything and everyone as they truly were


in fact they’re probably far more grotesque than real life as it was
In reality, the people and things were probably even more unpleasant than I remember


memories, they’re too surprising
Memories have a way of surprising us with their inaccuracies


because memories they tend to distort and if you want a report I’ll hand it in yesterday
Memories are prone to distortion and if you need a report, I can give it to you right away


take me to a higher place
Take me to a better mental state


fractions and feelings
Complex emotions that are hard to quantify


and the cops put a stop to all of our plots
Our plans were thwarted by the authorities


the way that they walked and the way that they talked
The cops' demeanor and behavior


grow down you grow down…
As we age, we lose our sense of innocence


memories define the mind’s dj
Memories shape our thoughts and perspectives


so come along honey and let me say that’s what I’m on about
Let me explain what I mean


yes we all evolve in haste
We all change quickly


it’s a race you never finish
Life is a constant pursuit that never truly ends


the grace does not diminish
The quality of our actions doesn't decrease over time


the pace until the game is over
Life goes by quickly and we must keep up until the end


of course you’re deeper than a team
You have more substance than just being a part of a group


but I hear the same chatter
You still talk and act like everyone else


you’re just the same matter
You're not special or unique, just like everyone else


I’ve known with a few more years on your face
You'll look and act the same in a few years


take me to a higher place
I want to be mentally elevated


with your fractions and your feelings
With your complex emotions


and the cops put a stop to all of our plots
Our plans were foiled by law enforcement


the way that they talk and the way that they walk
The behavior and demeanor of the cops


they grow down they grow down…
The authorities become less innocent and more corrupt


memories define the mind’s dj
Our memories shape our thoughts like a DJ shapes music


so come along honey and let me say that’s what I’m on about
Let me explain myself to you


I hope I never see, I know I won’t ever go
I hope I never have to experience that again, and I know that I won't




Contributed by Taylor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@fromthedoor

this bonus disk meant everything to me in high school

@LoveAxe

+fromthedoor It means everything to me NOW

@sunekoo

Better than the actual album

@monsieurmitosis

The context for me was not high school but the impact at the time for me, stranded in London in 2005, sounds similar. Damn. The best and most difficult time of my life. That pang of nostalgia hits hard.

@tinymoon620

@mister mitosis memories define the mind’s deejay ;)

@borednow5838

This is one of the best bonus track, lovely and breezy. Forgot where it comes from, need to re-buy Pig Lib.

@bennyboprock

Why is this not on Spotify?

@zurichgnome6073

Malkmus catches a cloud and pins it down.

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