1. an indie folk ba… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three bands called The Dodos.
1. an indie folk band from San Francisco, CA, United States, formed in 2005
2. a short-lived British punk/rock band that evolved out of Swansea punk band The Urge in 1979
3. a short-lived British rock band that relelased one single in 1967
1. The Dodos are an indie folk band from San Francisco, CA, United States, formed in 2005. Almost all of their albums (except the very first one) are credited to Dodos (without 'The'), but they made their recording début as The Dodos and are listed as such on streaming platforms, which is why most of their scrobbles end up here. The Dodos is the preferred spelling. The band has two core members: Meric Long (vocals, guitar) and Logan Kroeber (drums). They have released eight studio albums since mid-2006: Beware of the Maniacs (2006), Visiter (2008), Time to Die (2009), No Color (2011), Carrier (2013), Individ (2015), Certainty Waves (2018) and Grizzly Peak (2021).
2. Having evolved in late 1979 out of Swansea punk band The Urge, The Dodos were named after the ephedrine-laced asthma tablets, consisting of Dickie Evans (vocals), Phil Roberts (guitar), Anthony Reed (bass) and Steve 'Gagsy' Garland (drums). They contributed a song (1981's 'Blind To Fiction') to a rare compilation called Sex, Violence and the Eternal Truth.
3. The Dodos were a very short-lived British rock band of the late 1960s. They released just one single: 'I Made Up My Mind' b/w 'Can't Make It Out' (Polydor, 1967). Both sides were penned by the band's main songwriter, Alan Hawkshaw.
Two Medicines
The Dodos Lyrics
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you have a heart ache, but it never really hurts.
(discovered in pain), but you never can discern.
what happen to your conscious?, what happen to your worth?
you feel nothing...
..
because you leave them, when they have you in there sights.
you keep their letters, and you're never going to write.
you feel nothing...
you feel nothing..
you'll get your own, between two ways two visions.
even it all, and falter when there isn't.
more devices when we stripped it from your only
two, two; medicines, medicines.
it's like a small child, its never going to turn.
it's just a secret, that you hid inside an urn.
you try to light it, but its never going to burn.
you feel nothing...
..
you have opinions, but you're never going to tell.
you gather millions, and you stick in a well.
it's like an opera, just singing about yourself.
you feel nothing...
you feel nothing..
you'll get your own, between two ways two visions.
even it all, and falter when there isn't.
more devices when we stripped it from your only
will we return then?
The lyrics of Two Medicines by The Dodos suggest a sense of numbness and apathy towards life. The repeated phrase of "two, two; medicines, medicines" can be interpreted as the singer's attempt to find a cure for this feeling of detachment. The first verse talks about a heartache that does not hurt and a lack of understanding of one's own conscience and value. The second verse continues with a description of building an army but never fighting, leaving letters unread and opinions unspoken. The pre-chorus and chorus speak of finding one's own path but faltering when there are no clear options and the feeling of being stripped of one's identity. The final line, "will we return then?" can be interpreted as the singer questioning whether there is a way to come back from this sense of detachment.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the struggles of finding one's place in the world and the feeling of being lost and disconnected. The use of repetition and sparse instrumentation emphasizes the feeling of emptiness that the lyrics convey.
Line by Line Meaning
two, two; medicines, medicines.
Repetition of the phrase 'two medicines' to emphasize the idea of having two choices or paths to take.
you have a heart ache, but it never really hurts.
Although you are experiencing pain, you are not allowing yourself to feel the full intensity of it.
what happen to your conscious?, what happen to your worth?
Questioning the state of your morals and values, and how they have been compromised or lost.
you feel nothing...
You are emotionally numb and disconnected from your own feelings and experiences.
you build an army, but you're never going to fight.
You are gathering support and resources, but are not using them to take action or make a change.
because you leave them, when they have you in there sights.
You abandon your allies or opportunities when they are about to succeed or make an impact.
you keep their letters, and you're never going to write.
You hold onto messages and promises, but do not follow through with any action or response.
you'll get your own, between two ways two visions.
You will have to make a choice between two distinct paths or ideologies.
even it all, and falter when there isn't.
Even when you have everything you thought you wanted, you may still feel lost or unsure.
more devices when we stripped it from your only
You rely on external factors or distractions to numb your own personal struggles and shortcomings.
it's like a small child, its never going to turn.
A metaphor for a situation or issue that remains static and unchangeable, like an infant unable to grow up.
it's just a secret, that you hid inside an urn.
You are keeping a hidden truth or emotion locked away and inaccessible, like a secret buried in a container.
you try to light it, but its never going to burn.
You attempt to expose or process your hidden pain, but find that it remains unyielding and unresponsive.
you have opinions, but you're never going to tell.
You hold beliefs and viewpoints, but are too afraid or unwilling to express them.
you gather millions, and you stick in a well.
You accumulate wealth or resources, but hoard or limit their use instead of sharing or distributing them.
it's like an opera, just singing about yourself.
You are self-absorbed and narcissistic, focusing only on your own desires and needs.
will we return then?
A question of whether or not there is a possibility of redemption or change in the future.
Contributed by Jacob K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Strebor513
I'm going down in the books saying this is one of The Dodos BEST songs. Every album they've had some great jams. But this song is tops. No Color and Visiter have also had some rad jams.
Tamara Alswager
This is amazing. Why haven't I heard this before!
Eric Disanto
You feel nothing I feel nothing nothing!
wheelrunner25
yee