Acorn Factory
The Dodos Lyrics


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I feed you, you feed me back
I made you, you made me back
So undo, It's time you should go
I knew, you're just another ghost
On your own...

Trust what you see, believe what you want
I thank you, for your help, but you kid I have nines
I give you up, 'cause I can't stand tall
When you turn on the one, you turn on to all

I write to, appease your act
It won't do, it has no tact
So I lose, and this I suppose
You knew, was just another toast
You want back...

Trust what you want, it's not what you have
From your hands, to your fist, you're always a tack




I fall, at least give me that
When you turn on the one, you can't turn it back

Overall Meaning

The Dodos's "Acorn Factory" tells the story of a relationship gone sour. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song by describing a mutual relationship between two people who feed off each other. However, the singer has finally reached a turning point and is ready to move on. He acknowledges that he knows his partner's true intentions and refers to them as just another ghost, which could allude to the fact that they may not have been fully present in the relationship.


In the second verse, the singer thanks his partner for their help but admits that he can't rely on them anymore. He knows that when someone turns on one person, they are turning on everyone, so he has to give them up to stand tall. The final verse speaks to the singer's growing realization that their partner is a self-serving person with no regard for how their actions impact others. The lines, "You want back..." suggest that his partner may be trying to come back into his life, but the singer is still struggling to understand what he wants and needs from this relationship. Ultimately, he falls but still wants his partner to acknowledge that it's not easy for him to do so.


Overall, "Acorn Factory" speaks to the difficulties of relationships, but specifically to the ongoing challenge of communicating one's true intentions with a partner. The singer has realized that their partner was not truly invested in the relationship in the way that he was and he must now figure out how to move on from that realization.


Line by Line Meaning

I feed you, you feed me back
We were both benefiting from our relationship, but now it's time for us to move on.


I made you, you made me back
We both contributed to each other's growth and success in some way, but it's time for us to part ways now.


So undo, It's time you should go
We need to undo our connection and move on from each other, it's time for you to leave.


I knew, you're just another ghost
I always had a feeling that you wouldn't stick around, and now it seems like you're disappearing like a ghost.


Trust what you see, believe what you want
You should trust your instincts and believe what you want to believe, rather than being swayed by someone else's opinion or perspective.


I thank you, for your help, but you kid I have nines
Thank you for your assistance, but I no longer need it - I have everything under control.


I give you up, 'cause I can't stand tall
I'm letting you go because I can't continue to be strong or confident in our relationship anymore.


When you turn on the one, you turn on to all
If you betray or harm one person, you will inevitably harm or upset others as well.


I write to, appease your act
I'm writing this to try and make you feel better or appease you, but it's not really helping.


It won't do, it has no tact
My attempt at appeasement is not working and it's coming across insincere or without tact.


So I lose, and this I suppose
I am losing in this situation, and I suppose there's not much I can do about it.


You knew, was just another toast
You knew that our connection was fleeting or temporary, just like a toast at a party.


You want back...
You want to come back into my life, but I'm not sure it's the best decision.


Trust what you want, it's not what you have
What you desire or aim for is not always in alignment with what you currently have or possess.


From your hands, to your fist, you're always a tack
You're always on edge or ready to pounce, even from something as small as opening or closing your hands.


I fall, at least give me that
I may be failing or struggling, so at least acknowledge that I'm still trying my best.


When you turn on the one, you can't turn it back
If you betray or harm someone, you can't undo your actions or take them back - the damage is already done.




Contributed by Julian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Matthew Notch

I came to watch Meric play this riff so I could learn it. And I watched. And I have NO idea how he does that. It’s not even as complicated as other stuff I can play but holy mackerel it’s just so busy. This band inspired me to write more in open G too. Someday I will conquer this song, but there will always be the record and, hopefully, this video to enjoy even if I do

Oliver Foster

awesome, i just bought your album time to die, and i absolutely love it. nice to hear this version of the song and equally what a piece of modern design to frame it. love it. makes me want to walk.

Dreelamb

Wow! I gave you a 5 star because you guys have a very unique sound. Is that tape on the tambourin? You guys are very Good. Thanks! ~Andree'

Len Hardy

You know, the way he is playing and singing really reflects the lyrics in this song. His voice is one person in the relationship trying to solve things by being patient and kind, and the guitar is the other person just going crazy all the time. Just one of the lyrics like : "from you're hands, to your fist, you're always attack". This guy is absolutely brilliant.

MiNameIsMartin

I am SO glad There is still people that listen to this music (: it makes me happy!

Auhsoj of the Lowland Tribe

Awesome!

KBSA

slaying the riff AND singing while the other guy relaxes with a rattle...haha.

2minstral

One of my favorite songs by the Dodos. Added to the World United Music Websites. worldunitedmusicDOTcom

Aaron V.

Incredible~! Come to Vancouver [Canada] Hope I didn't miss you guys recently~!

TheRiteOne100

time to die is little to poppy for me i like the bluesy gritty guitar in visitor and beware the maniacs but they are a great great band

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