The Flaming Lips are known for their lush, multi-layered arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song titles. They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which typically feature animal suits, puppets, streamers, video projections and complex stage light configurations.
In 2002, Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die". In 2006, Oklahoma City named a street Flaming Lips Alley in their honor.
The group recorded several albums and EPs for Restless Records in the 1980s and early 1990s. After signing to Warner Brothers, they scored a #9 hit on the Billboard Alternative charts (and #55 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart) in 1994 with "She Don't Use Jelly". Although it would be their only hit single, the band has maintained critical respect and, to a lesser extent, commercial viability with sonically majestic albums such as 1995's Clouds Taste Metallic, 1999's The Soft Bulletin, 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and 2006's At War with the Mystics. The Flaming Lips' 12th studio album, Embryonic, was released in October of 2009. A complete cover of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon was released in May 2010. The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, their collaborative album which features artists like Ke$ha, Bon Iver, Nick Cave and Erykah Badu, was released on Record Store Day, April 2012.
Their next studio album, tentatively titled The Terror, will be released in January 2013.
Their song "Do You Realize??" is the official State Rock Song of Oklahoma.
www.flaminglips.com
Brainville
The Flaming Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't cost ya very much, they seem to know their stuff,
They take pity on the small ones
So I want to go to Brainville. Let's get in
And overcome my inexperience
I want to go to Brainville. Let's get in
And be the first one on the block that does.
They say it's the one thing everyone should have
I know it must look bad.
I know I need the help
They'd take me I can tell
They take pity on the small ones
I want to go to Brainville. Let's get in
And overcome my inexperience
I want to go to Brainville. Let's get in
And be the first on the block that does.
The lyrics of The Flaming Lips' "Brainville" discuss the idea of expanding one's mind and capabilities by visiting a place called Brainville. The first verse introduces Brainville as a place where they can enlarge your space - perhaps suggesting that going there can expand your thoughts and imagination. The allusion to "they seem to know their stuff" could suggest that Brainville is a place of expertise, where individuals can go to learn more about themselves and the world around them. The chorus repeats the singer's desire to visit Brainville and overcome their inexperience, perhaps indicating a sense of curiosity and longing for personal growth.
The second verse further emphasizes this theme of helplessness and desire for growth, with the singer acknowledging that "it must look bad" (possibly referring to their own limited thinking or lack of knowledge) and that they "know [they] need the help". The final line, "They take pity on the small ones", could suggest that Brainville is a place of understanding and compassion for those who feel lost or trapped in their current thinking. Overall, the song seems to encourage listeners to pursue personal growth and seek out new experiences that can allow for greater understanding and expansion.
Line by Line Meaning
I've heard about a place, where they enlarge yer space
I have received information about a specific location where they are able to increase the amount of space allocated to you.
Don't cost ya very much, they seem to know their stuff,
The price for this service is relatively low as they appear to be knowledgeable and capable of providing this service.
They take pity on the small ones
The service provider is compassionate towards those who have a smaller amount of space to work with.
So I want to go to Brainville. Let's get in
I am motivated to visit Brainville and feel that we should enter the location.
And overcome my inexperience
I want to conquer my lack of experience.
And be the first one on the block that does.
I aim to be the first person in my neighborhood to take advantage of this opportunity.
They say it's the one thing everyone should have
It has been brought to my attention that this service is something everyone should possess.
I know it must look bad.
I acknowledge that my current situation is not ideal.
I know I need the help
I understand that I require assistance.
They'd take me I can tell
Based on the information I have received, I am confident that they would be willing to assist me.
I want to go to Brainville. Let's get in
Once again, I express my desire to visit Brainville and suggest that we enter the location.
And overcome my inexperience
I reiterate my goal to overcome my lack of experience.
And be the first on the block that does.
I once again state my aim to be the first person in my neighborhood to take advantage of this opportunity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL IVINS, RONALD JONES, STEVEN DROZD, WAYNE COYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sadmonkey62
I love this song so much ♥️
Chris Thomas
Awesome. I just started listening to these guys and sometimes I think... Why didn't I get into this band earlier!
The optimistic pessimist
That beginning. Not sure why, but it immediately gave me of a Neil Young Vibe
Zac
Such a good album.
Miskatonic
Goddamn, that break at 1:25-2:10... gets me every time :')
Sui_812
Genial! 🙌🎶👍
Martin Kjær
In love with this!
llamasarus1
This song feels like someone gave me a shot of opioid pain medication after suffering a physical trauma.
Sahab b
Awsome. =] <3
notreallybandfromottawa
I want to go to Brainville too.