Machu Picchu
Strokes feat. The Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm putting your body on the line, for less.
And didn't you know there was a choice?
It's never yours but someone else's voice.
Slippin' your body through the street.
I'm sending your girlfriends to the night, for cheat.
Wearing a jacket made of meat.
And now you've heard that
Waves turn to grey.
Life in the shade.
A violent cloud.
And that's on USA.
Running for the rights,
Sleep into the sky.
I'm just trying' to find
A mountain I can climb.
I'm putting your patience to the test.
I'm putting your body on the line, for less.
And didn't you know there was a choice?
It's never yours and it's someone else's voice.
And now you've seen that
Waltz on the grey.
Life in the shade.
A violent cloud,
And that's on USA.
Born on the rise.
Circlin' the skies.
I'm just tryin' to find.
A mountain I can climb.
Tell us, are you gonna tell us?
Why do we feel so jealous?
Why do we feel so silent?
Why is it always silent?
(I didn't want to ask you baby)
(I didn't want you to suffer)
(And everybody is singing)
Why are you waiting behind the door?
Life turns to dust,
And rain turns to rust.
Gossip is a truth.
? the life we should.
And why do you look surprised?
Ever since I'm in the skies.
I'm just tryin' to find,
A space for you and I.
The lyrics to The Strokes' "Machu Picchu" offer a sense of disconnection and a search for meaning, set against the backdrop of the titular Incan site. Through quick-paced and almost frenetic verses, lead singer Julian Casablancas plays with the idea of choice and control, suggesting that our decisions are never really ours, but instead dictated by outside forces. This is emphasized through lines like "It's never yours but someone else's voice" and "And didn't you know there was a choice?" - the latter of which is worded in a way that implies a lack of knowledge or agency.
The song also grapples with themes of alienation, manifested through lines like "Slippin' your body through the street" and "Why do we feel so silent?" - both of which suggest a disconnect from one's surroundings and the people in them. The chorus, with its refrain of "Waltz on the grey / Life in the shade / A violent cloud / And that's on USA" paints a picture of a bleak existence, with the "violent cloud" perhaps alluding to feelings of anger or frustration that are never quite resolved.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm putting your patience to the test.
I am pushing your limits and seeing how patient you can be.
I'm putting your body on the line, for less.
I am risking your physical well-being for minimal reward.
And didn't you know there was a choice?
Are you aware that there are other options?
It's never yours but someone else's voice.
The decisions you make are not truly your own, but influenced by others.
Slippin' your body through the street.
Moving your body through the city with ease.
I'm sending your girlfriends to the night, for cheat.
Sending your friends out into the night to commit infidelity.
Wearing a jacket made of meat.
Adorning oneself with clothing made from animal flesh.
Sending a letter made with horse's feet.
Corresponding with others using a message made from a horse's foot.
And now you've heard that
You have just been made aware that
Waves turn to grey.
The ocean waves lose their vibrancy and turn dull.
Life in the shade.
Living in obscurity and hiding from the spotlight.
A violent cloud.
A forthright storm cloud brewing.
And that's on USA.
This is happening in the United States of America.
Running for the rights,
Fighting for the freedoms owed to us.
Sleep into the sky.
Drifting off to sleep looking up at the night sky.
I'm just trying' to find
I am searching for
A mountain I can climb.
A physical challenge for me to conquer.
Waltz on the grey.
Dancing on a surface void of color.
Life in the shade.
Living hidden from the public eye.
A violent cloud,
A threatening storm cloud is on the horizon.
And that's on USA.
This is happening in the United States of America.
Born on the rise.
Being born during a time of progress and change.
Circlin' the skies.
Flying through the air in circles.
I'm just tryin' to find.
I am searching for
A mountain I can climb.
A physical challenge for me to conquer.
Tell us, are you gonna tell us?
Can you share the answer with us?
Why do we feel so jealous?
What is the cause of our envy?
Why do we feel so silent?
What is causing us to be quiet and reserved?
Why is it always silent?
Why do we never hear any noise?
(I didn't want to ask you baby)
(I was too scared to ask you, my love)
(I didn't want you to suffer)
(I did not want to cause you any pain)
(And everybody is singing)
(And everyone seems to be enjoying themselves)
Why are you waiting behind the door?
What are you doing standing behind the closed door?
Life turns to dust,
Life quickly fades and disappears.
And rain turns to rust.
Rainwater leads to corrosion and decay.
Gossip is a truth.
Rumors and hearsay are often believed as factual information.
? the life we should.
We should be living life differently.
And why do you look surprised?
What has caused you to appear shocked?
Ever since I'm in the skies.
Since I have been in the air.
I'm just tryin' to find,
I am searching for
A space for you and I.
A place for you and me to exist together.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULIAN CASABLANCAS, NICK VALENSI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Crow Richter
everyone who likes this song is officially a friend of mine
idekacper
Yay:>
Finn Murtons
Yaaaaay! We ahe friends
Creamy Potato
righteous
princess cynthia
Crow Richter
Hahaha I liked this song then I scrolled down and saw ur comment😂😀👍👍👍
Strato
well hi pal
Dave Dobbins
The Strokes will always be one of those underrated bands that will never get the recognition they deserve. Every song hits me right in the soul.
This Is My Name
The Strokes were incredibly popular for a while after the release of their first album. Every artist/band falls off eventually.
Elkany Deada
Dave Dobbins I KNOW RIGHT! Sometimes it be like that
Hydra From God of War 1
Dave Dobbins They’re great don’t get me wrong but I definitely would not consider them “underrated”