My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion /Album Version
The Flaming Lips Lyrics


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The tell us autumn's a comin' and soon everything around us will die
Only a fool believes that he is different from the birds in the sky
All those birds go chasin' some better sunny days
You can't hear them singing 'cause they've all gone away

But this one bird didn't leave you
It stayed through the wintertime
You can't hear it sing but you can hear it as it flies
So don't you believe them?
They'll destroy you with their lies
They only see the obvious
They see the sun go down but they don't see it rise

This one bird didn't leave you
You can hear it as it flies
It's not very loud but you can hear it if you try
So don't you believe them?
Yes it's true someday everything dies
We won't let that defeat us




We can't hear them singing
But we can hear it as it flies

Overall Meaning

The Flaming Lips's song My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion/Album Version is a poignant reminder that autumn symbolizes the end of things, the passing of time, and the inevitability of change. The lyrics describe the impending death of everything around us as the season changes, suggesting that like the birds that fly away, we too are mere mortals, and will one day face our own demise. The song, however, asks us not to believe those who tell us that this is the end, that everything will soon be lost. They are wrong, the song proclaims, for even though the obvious signs suggest loss and death, there is still a bird that didn't leave, that stayed through the wintertime, that you can hear if you try.


The song is a beautiful reflection on human mortality and the idea that even though we are all destined to die, there is still hope, life, and beauty that surrounds us. The bird in the song is a powerful symbol of hope and resilience, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, life still goes on. This message is particularly relevant today as we face so many existential challenges and uncertainties, from climate change to political turmoil, to a global pandemic. The Flaming Lips's My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion/Album Version is an elegant, haunting, and inspiring meditation on the meaning of life, love, and loss.


Interesting facts about the song:


* My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion/Album Version was released in 2006 as part of the album At War with the Mystics.
* The song was written and produced by The Flaming Lips, an American rock band formed in Oklahoma City in 1983.
* The Flaming Lips are known for their unique and experimental sound, blending psychedelic rock, electronic music, and avant-garde influences.
* The band's lyrics often explore themes of life, death, love, and spirituality, and are characterized by their poetic and surreal quality.
* My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion/Album Version is one of the band's most popular songs, and has been covered by several musicians, including The Polyphonic Spree and Guster.
* The song was premiered live on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in March 2006, and received critical acclaim for its haunting melody and poignant lyrics.
* The song's music video features the iconic Flaming Lips mascot character, the pink robot, and showcases the band's trademark wacky and surreal aesthetics.
* The Flaming Lips have won several Grammy awards over the years, and are widely considered one of the most innovative and influential rock bands of their generation.
* The band has collaborated with a wide range of artists over the years, including Miley Cyrus, Erykah Badu, and Yoko Ono, among others.
* The Flaming Lips are known for their elaborate and theatrical live shows, featuring confetti, balloons, and other innovative props and visuals.


Chords:


Unfortunately, the chords for My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion/Album Version are not readily available online. However, the song features a simple and repetitive chord progression that is easy to play on guitar or piano. Most covers of the song use the chords G, C, and D, with occasional variations and embellishments.


Line by Line Meaning

The tell us autumn's a comin' and soon everything around us will die
The changing of the seasons signals that death is inevitable for all things


Only a fool believes that he is different from the birds in the sky
No one is immune to the natural cycle of life and death


All those birds go chasin' some better sunny days
Birds migrate in search of better weather conditions


You can't hear them singing 'cause they've all gone away
The absence of birds is noticeable and their singing is missed


But this one bird didn't leave you
Despite the change of seasons, one bird has remained present


It stayed through the wintertime
The bird has endured the harsh winter conditions


You can't hear it sing but you can hear it as it flies
The bird's presence can be felt even though its singing is absent


So don't you believe them?
Don't be swayed by those who only see the negative aspects of life


They'll destroy you with their lies
Negative perspectives can be harmful and misleading


They only see the obvious
Some people are unable to see beyond the surface level of things


They see the sun go down but they don't see it rise
They only focus on the negative aspects of life and neglect the positive


You can hear it as it flies
The bird's presence is reassuring and comforting


It's not very loud but you can hear it if you try
The bird's presence is subtle, requiring attentive listening to be recognized


Yes it's true someday everything dies
Death is an inevitable aspect of life that cannot be avoided


We won't let that defeat us
Despite the inevitability of death, we remain resilient and hopeful


We can't hear them singing
The absence of the other birds is still felt but we do not let it discourage us


But we can hear it as it flies
The present bird's presence is all the more significant in light of the absence of the others




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WAYNE COYNE, STEVEN DROZD, MICHAEL IVINS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@chrisbeerguy1489

“Only a fool believes that he is different from the birds in the sky.”

Sounds a lot like Matthew 6:26: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”

I know that Wayne Coyne is an atheist, but he uses a biblical metaphor to spread a cosmic message of hope. It’s beautiful. In a nutshell, “everything is going to be OK.” Don’t listen to the doomsayers. The universe/God/whatever you want to call it will provide.

“Yes it’s true some day everything dies, but we won’t let that defeat us...”

Matthew 6:27: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

No matter what you believe, I think the message of this song is universal. We need to hold onto hope in these crazy times when it seems like the world is going to shit.



All comments from YouTube:

@thesprawl2361

That chorus is a mountain, that chorus is a galaxy, it's a valley, it's an impact crater. So huge you can see it from space. Each chord is a mile-long suspension bridge and each line is sung through an alien ship's tannoy system. If you look down at the great wall of China from space you'll see it's actually a giant, stone tabulation of the melody from this song. The chord change that killed the dinosaurs.

@jacksontreece4673

The Sprawl , while eating supper with the head alien.

@pamelajord4181

Beautiful.

@brownjenkin715

Sprawl, it is all. Lowe you!

@lunalaguna6173

When I spread my cat's ashes on a mountain at sunrise, this is the song I played.

@awnaur0no919

fck u ma, makin me een more emotional & shit 😭😭😭 i didnt ask for them feels

@RaouleDuke9

"...they only see the obvious...they see the sun go down...but they don't see it rise..." Some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written. When Wayne sings it comes straight from his soul!!!

@zimbraundertone4075

This is about sacrifice, giving everything you’ve got for maybe nothing, but does it matter ? When you stay and give it all, you may find some peace, this is powerful and poetic, let’s all be that bird ✨😢

@colonialwaster6978

Is to love just a waste? How can it matter? (c)

@Wiwwih2b

When anyone I know tries to bring me down with negativity, I just think of Wayne's lyric "so don't you believe them they'll destroy you with their lies......" and it makes everything better.

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