Maybe I Was the Pilot
The Ex Lyrics
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Superstition mountains carry a museum mine
My aunt changed the value of gold
Some try try, pulled by being old
Conquistador in Austria
With a hand made ring from the gold rush era
Most of our parents were spies
Hiding all summer along the Riviera
All - passengers pay for it
All the pilots get rich
All the passengers pay for it
Study the 23 maps
Sell fake maps for compensation
Those planes over there are dusting crops
On a field where there ain't no crops.
Come back! Come back! Come back! Come back!
It's going really well, It's going really well
I have satellite maps for near destinations
So why take a risk when you can take a vacation
All - pilots - rich
All - passengers pay for it
All the pilots get rich
All the passengers pay for it
The lyrics to The Ex's "Maybe I Was the Pilot" are filled with cryptic and elusive lines that can be interpreted in many ways. At its core, the song seems to be a commentary on the nature of power and control, as well as the price one must pay to attain it. The first few lines refer to the Superstition Mountains, a location in Arizona that is home to many legends and myths about lost treasure and hidden wealth. This sets up a theme of discovery and treasure hunting that will continue throughout the song.
As the song continues, it introduces the idea of pilots and passengers, with the repeated refrain of "All - pilots - rich / All - passengers pay for it". This seems to be a commentary on the way that those in power (e.g. pilots) benefit from the work of others (e.g. passengers). The lines about selling fake maps for compensation and the idea of studying maps in general could be seen as a metaphor for the way that those in power control information and use it to manipulate others.
The line about most of our parents being spies hiding along the Riviera is also intriguing, and could be interpreted as a reference to the Cold War era when espionage and spy agencies were at their height. Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the nature of power, wealth, and control, and the way that these things are intertwined in our society.
Line by Line Meaning
Long lost Dutchmen found it out
The truth of the situation has been discovered after a long period of time
Superstition mountains carry a museum mine
The mountains have an abundance of resources that have been collected over time
My aunt changed the value of gold
Someone close managed to manipulate a valuable commodity
Some try try, pulled by being old
People who are old attempt to accomplish things, despite the challenges that age brings
Conquistador in Austria
A historical figure from one culture is found in a place where they do not belong
With a hand made ring from the gold rush era
The ring is a symbol of an earlier, prosperous time
Most of our parents were spies
Many of the people in the singer's past had secrets or engaged in secretive activities
Hiding all summer along the Riviera
The location is ideal for hiding and it is a loss-leader for other activities
All - pilots - rich
Pilots make a substantial amount of money
All - passengers pay for it
This wealth is generated by passengers who are paying for services
Study the 23 maps
In order to succeed, one must study many different maps and plans
Sell fake maps for compensation
In order to make money, some people resort to deception and fraud
Those planes over there are dusting crops
The planes are doing a job, even though there is no apparent need for it
On a field where there ain't no crops.
The work being done is pointless and unnecessary
Come back! Come back! Come back! Come back!
The singer is pleading for someone to return
It's going really well, It's going really well
Things are moving forward in a positive manner
I have satellite maps for near destinations
The artist has access to advanced technology for navigation purposes
So why take a risk when you can take a vacation
Why go through trouble when you can do something less complicated and more enjoyable
Contributed by Nicholas I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SeagreenSerenade
great stuff !!! as usual the Ex is an amazing band, (just seen'em live tonight), shamanic !!!
Layla Vladi
honestly there isn’t even one song that I dislike by The Ex 🖤
Layla Vladi
@Lucas Pfaff lulululululululululu♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
Lucas Pfaff
lalalalalalalalalalala<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
Danich Ivanov
saw them once, and it was incredible
Kyle Miska
I love this.
SharksInTheGenePool
Took me awhile to get used to the new vocals, but the CD has steadily grown on me.
Dan Hintz
really great show last night in milwaukee.
Rui Carvalho
LIKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
cthulhugamete
lucky