Pop
The Aluminum Group Lyrics
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Because you're too stoned to listen
When they say, "Fly right, turn left, that's right...
Now you will be okay."
When your eyes are too closed to mention
Tell me what's left- your house, your car, your pet
That still runs away from you.
I know you never thought you'd find yourself
On the brink of this,
But when you crumple all your laurels from sleeping
You should be used to this.
Pop goes another one down
Now there's one less jewel into your crown
Rule your kingdom with nobody around.
Flunk out with another friend
Because he's just too cool to question
The things that you do
You drop, you stop, you pop
And you could care less--
Of all the friends that'll turn you down
Your drag procession that tells you off,
"Don't pop, don't drop, just stop,
We shot our days for you."
I know you never thought you'd find yourself
On the brink of this
But when you crumple all your laurels from sleeping
You should be used to this.
Pop goes another one down
Now there's one less jewel into your crown
Rule your kingdom with nobody around.
Pop goes another one down (another one)
Now there's one less jewel into your crown
Rule your kingdom with nobody around.
Pop goes another one down (another one)
Now there's no one left within this town
Who can stand you with company around.
The Aluminum Group's song "Pop" is a scathing critique on drug addiction and its impact on relationships. The lyrics tell of several friends who have fallen victim to addiction and have effectively "popped" out of their lives, leaving the addict feeling isolated and alone. The first verse describes a friend who has flown off course, but the addict is incapable of processing or listening to advice. The second verse references a friend whose eyes are closed (likely referencing being under the influence), leaving the addict feeling abandoned.
The chorus of "Pop" is particularly striking, as it describes how each friend lost to addiction represents one less jewel in the addict's crown. The addict is the "kingdom ruler" with nobody around, as his friends have all disappeared. The third verse mentions a friend who is "just too cool to question" the addict's behavior, which implies that the addict has people in his life who are enabling his addiction. The final lines of the song suggest that the addict is now isolated and unable to connect with anyone: "Now there's no one left within this town/Who can stand you with company around."
Overall, "Pop" is a sad but powerful commentary on the destructive nature of addiction and the toll it takes on relationships. The song's tone is melancholic, with a sense of regret and remorse over missed opportunities to help friends who have fallen victim to addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Pop goes another friend
Another friend leaves you, likely due to your irresponsible behavior.
Because you're too stoned to listen
The reason for your friend leaving is that you often disregard their advice while under the influence of drugs.
When they say, "Fly right, turn left, that's right...
Your friends have given you clear instructions on what you should do to improve your life.
Now you will be okay."
Despite their advice, you continue to ignore them and suffer the consequences.
Light's out on another friend
Another friend has left you, likely due to your inability to see how your behavior is impacting those around you.
When your eyes are too closed to mention
Your behavior is so out of control that even you can't see its impact on your life and relationships.
Tell me what's left- your house, your car, your pet
Your behavior has caused so much damage that you're left with only material possessions and no meaningful relationships.
That still runs away from you.
Even your pet is rejecting you due to your poor behavior.
I know you never thought you'd find yourself
Despite your reckless behavior, you never imagined that you would end up alone and isolated.
On the brink of this,
You're now at a point where you've lost almost everything important to you.
But when you crumple all your laurels from sleeping
Your lack of action in addressing your issues has caused you to become complacent and lose all sense of purpose or drive.
You should be used to this.
Your situation is the result of the poor choices you've made, and you should have expected the consequences.
Now there's one less jewel into your crown
Each time you lose a friend, you lose a valuable part of your life and reputation.
Rule your kingdom with nobody around.
You've become a lonely ruler of your own isolated world, with no one left to share it with.
Flunk out with another friend
Another friend has left you, likely due to your negative influence on them or their unwillingness to tolerate your behavior any longer.
Because he's just too cool to question
Your friend is too apathetic to stand up to your destructive behavior and is content to drift away from your destructive influence.
You drop, you stop, you pop
You're reckless and impulsive, doing things without any thought for the consequences, likely including drug use.
And you could care less--
You're so consumed by your self-destructive behavior that you don't care about the people you're losing in the process.
Of all the friends that'll turn you down
You've lost so many friends due to your behavior and commitments that you can't rely on anyone anymore.
Your drag procession that tells you off,
The people who have left you are the ones calling you out on your behavior and urging you to change your ways.
"Don't pop, don't drop, just stop,
Your friends' advice is clear - stop your reckless behavior and take control of your life before it's too late.
We shot our days for you."
Your friends feel like they've wasted their time and energy trying to help you and are now giving up on you.
Now there's no one left within this town
You've driven away all of your friends and are now completely alone.
Who can stand you with company around.
Your behavior and attitude are so toxic that even people outside of your immediate friend group can't tolerate being around you.
Contributed by Eli Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Grant Ferguson
Being 57 and loving the days of Chicago power pop- Pezband, loose lips, Off Broadway, Take Me, up to new wave, Bohemia, Phil n the blanks, scott wilk until present Wilco etc, the Aluminum Group still holds up well in my book of great Chicago music. Did manage to catch them at the Empty Bottle once but it seemed more like an impromptu performance than i would have liked. Such good stuff!
LizCat
Me encanta esta canción!! :)
Kikan Bartlau
Thank you for your music Aluminum Group.
Gary Catalano
Awesome tune! Just stumbled across it myself. I'm awash in late 70s/early 80s easy listening goodness.
octo scut
they made this in like 2009 or something! i love music that is sneaky about what decade/era its from, and thats exactly what this band does, its great.
bh617
i wouldnt say this sounds like 70s or 80s - in terms of the basic song, yes - but the production is ultra-modern like other john mcentire stuff.. very hi-fidelity.
Grant Ferguson
As absolutely as great as these guys are Chicago radio never supported them. But then again Chicago radio really doesn't exist.
Rubén Eduardo Ferré
Que vos de la corista ..muy buena banda
Robin Shie
讚!
Keithko007
Groovy!