Exploding Whale
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm nobody's friend
Loneliness rides in my bed
My misfortune
Give everything you've got
While the sun burns hot
My addiction
Spoils my affection
For everything good

Elephant in the room
Might as well shoot at the moon
The mild ambition
Give everything you've got
Jump the Fosbury flop with intention
Pursue your invention
As something of worth

The thing I most regret
Is having to repress what I'm feeling
While expressing delight as a myth
Embrace the epic fail
Of my exploding whale

Poison or powdered milk (poison or powdered milk)
Paralyzed as it took (paralyzed as it took)
Premonition (what is going on?)
Give everything you've got
Before your life is caught in conditions
Be the first of its victims
The foot of a hare

Action or consequence (action or consequence)
My unyielding defense (my unyielding defense)
Superstition (what is going on?)
My attempts to obscure
The wonders of this world
Be it fortune
Or faith in distortion
The patron of prayer

The thing I most resent
Is having to consent to illusion
While confessing distress with my fist
Will history prevail?
My exploding whale

What of a dream deferred
My appeal in reverse
Apparition





Embrace the epic fail
Of my exploding whale

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Exploding Whale" by Sufjan Stevens delve into themes of loneliness, addiction, regret, and the struggle between illusion and truth. The singer expresses a sense of being disconnected from others ("I'm nobody's friend") and feeling the weight of their own misfortune. They acknowledge their addiction and how it has tainted their affection for everything good.


The mention of an "elephant in the room" and shooting at the moon suggests a sense of avoiding or deflecting issues that should be addressed. The singer encourages giving everything one has, pursuing ambitions with intention and inventiveness. However, an undercurrent of doubt and uncertainty is present as they question the worth and consequences of their actions.


The reference to a "mild ambition" and the regret of repressing their true feelings hint at a desire for authenticity. Yet, there seems to be a conflict between embracing the failure and embracing the myth of delight. The mention of a "exploding whale" symbolizes a catastrophic event, perhaps reflecting the consequences of suppressing one's true self or living in illusion.


The lyrics also touch on the ideas of poison or powdered milk, premonition, superstition, and the wonders of the world. The singer struggles with the need to obscure or distort their reality and the tension between fortune or faith. It is a battle between illusion and truth, regret and consent.


As the song progresses, the singer questions the consequences of their actions, reflects on their attempts to obscure the wonders of the world, and wonders if history will remember their failures or successes. The line "embrace the epic fail of my exploding whale" suggests a willingness to accept and learn from their mistakes and failures, as painful as they may be.


Overall, "Exploding Whale" explores the complex emotions and struggles one faces in navigating their own loneliness, addiction, and the search for authenticity amidst a world filled with illusions and regrets.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm nobody's friend
I do not have any close relationships or companions


Loneliness rides in my bed
Feelings of isolation and emptiness dominate my life


My misfortune
I am plagued by a series of unfortunate events


Give everything you've got
Put all your effort and energy into your actions


While the sun burns hot
Take advantage of the present moment and seize the opportunity


My addiction
I am trapped and consumed by a harmful habit or dependency


Spoils my affection
My addiction ruins my ability to feel love and positive emotions


For everything good
I struggle to appreciate and enjoy the positive aspects of life


Elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that is being ignored or avoided


Might as well shoot at the moon
Attempting something extremely difficult or improbable


The mild ambition
A small desire or goal


Jump the Fosbury flop with intention
Approach a situation with a unique and intentional strategy


Pursue your invention
Follow your creative ideas and innovations


As something of worth
Believe in the value and significance of your endeavors


The thing I most regret
The action or choice that brings me the most remorse


Is having to repress what I'm feeling
Feeling compelled to hide or suppress my true emotions


While expressing delight as a myth
Pretending to be happy or content when it is not genuine


Embrace the epic fail
Accept and learn from the significant failures or disappointments


Of my exploding whale
The disastrous outcome caused by my actions or choices


Poison or powdered milk (poison or powdered milk)
A choice between something harmful or something seemingly harmless


Paralyzed as it took (paralyzed as it took)
Being unable to move or act due to the consequences of the choice


Premonition (what is going on?)
A forewarning or intuition about a future event


Before your life is caught in conditions
Take action before you become trapped in unfavorable circumstances


Be the first of its victims
Avoid being negatively affected by the situation like others


The foot of a hare
The insignificance or powerlessness in comparison to others


Action or consequence (action or consequence)
The result or outcome of one's actions


My unyielding defense (my unyielding defense)
My firm and unwavering protection or justification


Superstition (what is going on?)
The belief in supernatural influences or irrational practices


My attempts to obscure
My efforts to hide or conceal


The wonders of this world
The marvels and beauty existing in the world


Be it fortune
Whether it is luck or chance


Or faith in distortion
Or having trust in distorted or misleading perceptions


The patron of prayer
The guardian or supporter of prayer


The thing I most resent
The action or situation that I hold the strongest bitterness towards


Is having to consent to illusion
Being forced to agree or give permission to deceptive or false beliefs


While confessing distress with my fist
Expressing feelings of anguish or pain through physical aggression


Will history prevail?
Whether the past events and actions will ultimately dominate


My exploding whale
The catastrophic failure or collapse caused by myself


What of a dream deferred
What happens to a dream that is postponed or delayed


My appeal in reverse
My attractiveness or desirability being turned around or diminished


Apparition
A ghostly or elusive appearance or manifestation


Embrace the epic fail
Accept and learn from the significant failures or disappointments


Of my exploding whale
The disastrous outcome caused by my actions or choices




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

alfa

I always listen to this song when I feel like quitting. This is surely the soundtrack of my downs. Thank you, Sufjan <3

이크람

I swear Sufjan Stevens' music is magical...

Ajita and Aparajita Bhattacharya

Sufjan I stan you. You're just another world. ❤

Scott Oglesby

I LOVE WHALES AND I LOVE SUFJAN STEVENS

Jeremy Deutch

I LOVE EXPLOSIONS AND I LOVE YOU

gers.

dattajack maybe

sekyiwah nana

This song is a dream!!! Thank you Sufjan <3

shadydragon22

It's a nice version but to me the original is so unique with its weird music and much more chaotic harmony, I find this one to be very generic in comparison tbh but it's still cool

Bill Buffett

Thanks Sufjan :)

Michelle Cerioni

This is such a good remix. Its original is to deranged. I prefer this ones lo-fi sound

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