Parker originally conceived the project in Perth in 2007. After a series of singles and EPs, Tame Impala's debut studio album, InnerSpeaker, was released in 2010; it was certified gold in Australia and well received by critics. Parker's 2012 follow-up, Lonerism, was also acclaimed, reaching platinum status in Australia and receiving a Grammy Award nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. Tame Impala's third album, Currents, was released in July 2015,[6] and like its predecessor, it won ARIA Awards for Best Rock Album and Album of the Year. Parker won the APRA Award for Song of the Year 2016 for Currents' first track, "Let It Happen". The fourth and most recent studio album, The Slow Rush, was released 14 February 2020.
41 Mosquitoes Flying In Formation
Tame Impala Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sees forty one mosquitoes flying in formation
I'm alright, but my pet cockroach died of starvation
Sleep 'til late, I won't mind if we do nothing today
Come and stay, bring your friends
Who needs floor space anyway?
So do you not want me to come over?
So do you not want me to come over?
Not much we know, so off we go
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
The other side of the land, they like my brain
They don't waste time and they don't wait
And do what they want
As long as I don't have to concentrate
Broken drums, thriving dreams
Not much else between these walls
One more spliff, I am already gone but duty calls
So do you not want me to come over?
So do you not want me to come over?
Not much we know, so off we go
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
The lyrics of Tame Impala's "41 Mosquitoes Flying In Formation" seem to describe a lazy day spent inside, with the singer and their friends opting to do very little except hanging out with each other. The opening lines introduce a sense of lethargy and unconcern, with the singer observing a group of mosquitoes flying together in an almost choreographed manner. They then mention the death of their pet cockroach caused by starvation, suggesting a level of neglect and carelessness. The following lines mention the lack of activity proposed for the day, as the singer invites their friends over to simply relax with no need for floor space.
In the second verse, the singer seems to be reflecting on the monotony of their surroundings, describing them as having "not much else between these walls." They seem to desire a break from this dull routine as they mention the possibility of heading to "the other side of the land," where they suggest there could be more adventurous and interesting activities. As they light up a joint to escape their boredom, they referenced that duty interrupted their relaxation, possibly referencing the need to work or leave the house for an unavoidable task.
The song seems to convey a sense of apathy and aimlessness, but it is also possible to interpret it as a celebration of spending time with friends and taking it easy. The repetitive nature of the lyrics and the instrumental melody contribute to creating a dreamy and almost hypnotic atmosphere, suggesting that the joy of the moment is enough for the singer and their friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Lazy bones and no concern
Feeling lethargic and careless
Sees forty one mosquitoes flying in formation
Perceiving order and organization in the chaos
I'm alright, but my pet cockroach died of starvation
Indifference towards things that don't matter
Sleep 'till late, I won't mind if we do nothing today
Embracing idleness and letting go of expectations
Come and stay, bring your friends
Welcoming companionship and connection
Who needs floor space anyway?
Questioning conventional norms and priorities
So do you not want me to come over?
Expressing uncertainty and seeking reassurance
Not much we know, so off we go
Acknowledging ignorance and embracing exploration
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
Musical interlude
The other side of the land, they like my brain
Feeling understood and appreciated by others
They don't waste time and they don't wait
Admiring efficiency and decisiveness
And do what they want
Encouraging autonomy and freedom
As long as I don't have to concentrate
Avoiding mental effort and complexity
Broken drums, thriving dreams
Finding inspiration and growth in imperfection
Not much else between these walls
Feeling confined and seeking stimulation
One more spliff, I am already gone but duty calls
Balancing hedonism and responsibility
So do you not want me to come over?
Repeating the same plea for clarity
Not much we know, so off we go
Closing the song with the same theme of curiosity and restlessness
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
Repeating the musical outro
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kevin Richard Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
nirvana
Lazy bones and no concern sees, forty one mosquitoes flying in formation
I'm alright but my pet cockroach died of starvation
Sleep till late, I won't mind if we do nothing today
Come and stay, bring your friends, who needs floor space anyway?
So do you not want me to come over?
So do you not want me to come over?
Not much we know, so off we go
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
The other side of the land, they like my brain, they don't waste time and they don't wait
They can do what they want, as long as I don't have to concentrate
Broken drums, thriving dreams, not much else between these walls
One more spliff, I am already gone but duty calls
So do you not want me to come over?
So do you not want me to come over?
Not much we know, so off we go
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
Samuel Powell
I know this is going to make me sound super hipster but i still prefer this sound for tame impala, the early stuff, its a bit rougher and rawer, I remember first listening to half glass full of wine with my music producer friend like over 10 years ago when no one really knew who they were, good times, I wanna throw my friend some love, he makes amazing music and is heavily influenced by Tame Impala, try searching Lonely Gimmick - Blue Ticked Influencer ,you may be in for a surprise
Marty B
sounds like something the wiggles on acid would make :)
Hayes Hove
What is it about certain music where I can’t understand a single word, but the second I read the lyrics I can understand clear as day ?
Chubski
I can get like 50% of the words but I get where you’re coming from
Daedlus
I have no idea but I have that problem with every song ive listened to
Medusah
because now your ears know what to look for
Angel Zaid Trejo Jimenez
I'm not a native English speaker, so your words really confort me, cause when I talk with other I understand a lot of more than when I listen this music.
nirvana
Lazy bones and no concern sees, forty one mosquitoes flying in formation
I'm alright but my pet cockroach died of starvation
Sleep till late, I won't mind if we do nothing today
Come and stay, bring your friends, who needs floor space anyway?
So do you not want me to come over?
So do you not want me to come over?
Not much we know, so off we go
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
The other side of the land, they like my brain, they don't waste time and they don't wait
They can do what they want, as long as I don't have to concentrate
Broken drums, thriving dreams, not much else between these walls
One more spliff, I am already gone but duty calls
So do you not want me to come over?
So do you not want me to come over?
Not much we know, so off we go
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
Ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh, ahhh-ahhh
YellowSub0
Just listened to tame impala for the first time stoned today and this is even better.
Josué Costa
se tivesse esse disco, teria escutado "até arranhar".