Gardenia
Stephen Malkmus The Jicks Lyrics
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The kind of circles include everything
Don't be the with the fainest praise
It's just a symptom of the live age
He would be amazed
So you got some curb appeal
But can you cook a 3 course meal
Or are you just a present waiting to be opened up and parceled out again hey
Pressed in a campaign journal
In the rutsack of an Africana candidate for my reform
It's like we're at
There's no escaping without a door prize
There are parading at significant loss
I know the way you watch your weight
Richard Avadon
Richard Avadon would
Richard Avadon would surely approve
So much for your curb appeal
And so much for the 3 course meals
'Cause I'm not a present waiting to be opened up and parceled out again
Well the torture of the
With expressway at 5 pm on Friday gives you some idea of how rejection makes me feel
Well you are a gardenia
Well you are a gardenia
The song "Gardenia" by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks is a commentary on the superficiality of modern society and relationships. The opening lines about "giant circles" suggest the vastness of this societal pressure to conform, where being unique or different is frowned upon. The mention of "curb appeal" and "can you cook a 3 course meal" highlights the emphasis on appearances and superficial qualities that are valued in relationships.
The persona of the song describes how he is not interested in someone who is just a "present waiting to be opened up and parceled out again" and compares them to a gardenia, a beautiful but fleeting flower that is often used for its visual appeal in campaign ads or journals. The use of Richard Avadon, a famous photographer known for his fashion photography, reinforces the notion of the importance of appearances in our culture.
Line by Line Meaning
With giant circles of
Referring to everything that surrounds us
The kind of circles include everything
The circles represent everything around us
Don't be the with the fainest praise
Don't be insincere with your compliments
It's just a symptom of the live age
Insincere compliments are a common feature of modern life
He would be amazed
Referring to someone who would be shocked or surprised
So you got some curb appeal
Referring to someone who has superficial attractions
But can you cook a 3 course meal
Asking whether they have real substance beyond their superficial facade
Or are you just a present waiting to be opened up and parceled out again hey
Questioning whether they are simply an object to be used and discarded
Well you are a gardenia
Referring to someone who is beautiful but fragile
Pressed in a campaign journal
Referring to how they are just an object in someone's agenda
In the rutsack of an Africana candidate for my reform
Being associated with a political persona and further objectification
It's like we're at
Referring to the current situation
There's no escaping without a door prize
Highlighting the need for rewards in any situation
There are parading at significant loss
Referring to a situation in which something is displayed despite it being harmful or a loss to oneself
I know the way you watch your weight
Knowing the other person's insecurities and vulnerabilities
Richard Avadon
Referring to the famous photographer and his eye for beauty
Richard Avadon would
Highlighting how Avadon's beautifying gaze would approve of the person
Richard Avadon would surely approve
Stressing how Avadon's aesthetics would unquestionably see the beauty in the other
So much for your curb appeal
Highlighting how the other's superficial beauty does not matter anymore
And so much for the 3 course meals
Highlighting how the other's supposed inner substance does not hold up either
'Cause I'm not a present waiting to be opened up and parceled out again
Stressing how the artist is not someone to be used and discarded
Well the torture of the
Referring to a painful experience or situation
With expressway at 5 pm on Friday gives you some idea of how rejection makes me feel
Comparing the feeling of being rejected to a painful and frustrating experience like being stuck in traffic
Well you are a gardenia
Repeating how the other is beautiful but fragile
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ddowe9506
Malkmus says with the best lyrical ability, to tell a girl that she is beautiful but also, not to fuck with him, he sings and writes in such a great way, a true genius,
@mudhut10
Brian Bell from Weezer and Steve Turner from Mudhoney are in this video!!
@bluebird28tl
Fantastic clip for a wonderful song!
@Niallgeez
Gary Jarman from the cribs at 0:40 :D
@allilovealli
Is that Voodoo Doughnut?
@shadow.banned
I've noticed a lot of indie-ish groups like this love the green screen music video shit... what's up with that? And the weird colourful spinning flowers and shit...