Smoke Signals
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well you've got a really long name
It won't fit on any forms
You gave me all your mirrors and they made me deformed

You're sending smoke signals
I know your secret code

We travel in the plaid van and we give our puppet show
And we picnic in the winter on maple syrup and snow

You're sending smoke signals
I know your secret code

Well, you made a Molotov cocktail, and you threw it on the ground,
And it sent us flying, and now we're flying about





You're sending smoke signals
I know your secret code

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields' song Smoke Signals narrates the story of two individuals who enjoy spending time together while travelling in a plaid van, giving puppet shows and having picnics in the winter on maple syrup and snow. The singer talks about the person having a really long name, one that won't fit on any forms. This could imply that the person might be hiding their true identity or have a lot of aliases. The person gives all their mirrors to the singer, and as a result, the singer feels deformed. This could suggest that the person is in control of the singer's perception of their own identity.


The chorus of the song speaks about the person sending smoke signals and the singer deciphering their secret code. Smoke signals are typically used to communicate over long distances, mostly during emergencies. It could imply that the person is trying to communicate something important through symbolic means, something that only the singer is privy to comprehend. In the last verse, the person makes a Molotov cocktail and throws it on the ground, causing the singer to fly about. This action could mean that the person has caused some form of explosion or dramatic event that has affected the singer's life. However, the singer still understands the person's secret code, suggesting that they still have a deep connection.


Line by Line Meaning

Well you've got a really long name
Your name is really long, so it can't fit on standard forms.


It won't fit on any forms
Your name is so long that it can't fit on any standard forms or documents.


You gave me all your mirrors and they made me deformed
You gave me everything you had, but it didn't make me happy and instead made me feel like something was wrong with me.


You're sending smoke signals
You're trying to communicate with me in a subtle, indirect way.


I know your secret code
I understand the hidden or obscure message you're trying to convey.


We travel in the plaid van and we give our puppet show
We have an unconventional lifestyle, traveling in a unique van and entertaining people with our puppet shows.


And we picnic in the winter on maple syrup and snow
We find joy in the simple things, like having a picnic in the winter and eating maple syrup with snow.


Well, you made a Molotov cocktail, and you threw it on the ground,
You created something dangerous and destructive, and then frivolously discarded it.


And it sent us flying, and now we're flying about
Your reckless actions had unexpected consequences and we're now dealing with the fallout.




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

End Wildlife Services'Needless Killing Of Wildlife

The best album from the group....Susan Anway supplying the lyrics here

auntie social

Well, you've got a really long name........but I like it, good message

C Short

Susan's voice... it's.... it's perfect.

Scott Hubert

ABSOLUTELY!!!

Skooma

I will love this song forever.

Danton Favaretto

que capa maravilhosa. e este trecho, "you gave me all your mirrors and they made me deformed". poxa. <3

bobbiwib

thanks so much for the upload, this is one of my all-time favourite albums and Smoke Signals is my favourite song from it :D

Palafico3

I LOVE THIS ALBUM!!!! :D

Victor Hugo Tolugo

Lovely song! 

John Marr

Beautiful song.

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