What Else
The Micronaut Lyrics


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And I've gone silver in my travels, growing silver in my sideburns, I'm starting to unravel.
Heard my heartbeat on a downhill, I counted eighteen on my pulse as Kilrenny Church struck three for three o'clock.
What else?
And you said twelve years in retirement.
The hours go by like sips of water.
The record lies unbroken, and no doubt, it's white flour in my diet.
It's going to be the death of me, sweet drumroll for those embittered big ideas.
It's such a waste of all that I had.
What else?
(Repeat)




You mentioned bats in the attic, so now you're lifting up the tiles to get around these conservation rules.
I walked down in the basement.

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of The Micronaut's song "What Else" offer a striking visual image of growing older through the metaphor of silver hair growing in the singer's sideburns. This is contrasted with the feeling that the singer is starting to unravel, highlighting a sense of loss or decay as time moves forward. The reference to hearing one's own heartbeat while going downhill and counting one's pulse at the sound of the church striking three creates a sense of time passing and the inevitability of aging. The repeated question "what else" adds to this feeling of uncertainty and a sense of searching for purpose or meaning as one grows older.


The verse then shifts to a conversation with someone who mentions 12 years in retirement, which emphasizes the passage of time and how quickly it can slip by- "the hours go by like sips of water." The mention of a record that lies unbroken could represent the passing of time without achieving one's goals or unfulfilled potential. The line about "white flour in my diet" is an interesting one, as it implies a potentially harmful or unhealthy lifestyle choice that could contribute to the singer's sense of decay. The final lines suggest a sense of regret or disappointment in wasted potential, while still searching for answers to the question of "what else."


Overall, the song "What Else" is a meditation on the passing of time, growing older, and finding meaning in life. The imagery throughout the song paints a vivid picture of life's ups and downs, while the repeated question of "what else" emphasizes the uncertainty and searching that can come with aging.


Line by Line Meaning

And I've gone silver in my travels, growing silver in my sideburns, I'm starting to unravel.
My travels have led to me aging and feeling like I'm falling apart.


Heard my heartbeat on a downhill, I counted eighteen on my pulse as Kilrenny Church struck three for three o'clock.
I was able to hear my own heartbeat during a quiet moment, and I noticed that it was beating faster than normal.


What else?
What other issues or problems will arise?


And you said twelve years in retirement.
You mentioned that you had been retired for twelve years.


The hours go by like sips of water.
Time seems to pass quickly and easily.


The record lies unbroken, and no doubt, it's white flour in my diet.
My health is suffering because of my diet, which is full of unhealthy foods.


It's going to be the death of me, sweet drumroll for those embittered big ideas.
My unhealthy habits may lead to my premature death, despite my big dreams and aspirations.


It's such a waste of all that I had.
It's a shame that I haven't been able to make the most of my potential and resources.


What else?
What other problems or setbacks will come my way?


You mentioned bats in the attic, so now you're lifting up the tiles to get around these conservation rules.
You spoke about the issue of bats in the attic, and now you're trying to find a solution that won't violate conservation rules.


I walked down in the basement.
I went down to the basement for some reason.




Contributed by William P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@djprojectzero8

Lyrics:
And I've gone silver in my travels,
Growing silver in my sideburns
I've started to unravel
Heard my heartbeat on a downhill,
I counted 18 on my pulse
As Kilrenny clock struck three
For 3 o'clock what else?
What else?
And you said 12 years in retirement.
The hours go by like sips of water.
The record lies unbroken
And no doubt it's white flour in my diet
That's going to be the death of me
A sweet drum roll for those embittered big ideas.
It's such a waste of all that I had.
You mentioned bats in the attic
So now you're lifting off the tiles
To get around those conservation rules
I'm locked down in the basement
I'm hanging upside down
I gag across my mealy mouth.
And how I'll laugh out loud about that.
When I read your simple novel
That uses all our real names
And go make yourself a fortune
There's nothing left for us
Than us left dangling just a little shamefaced.
It's such a waste of all that we have.
And it's such a waste of all that we have.
And it's such a waste of all that I am.



@fredosilva7295

And I've gone silver in my travels,
growing silver in my sideburns, 
I'm starting to unravel. 
Heard my heartbeat on a downhill,
I counted eighteen on my pulse as Kilrenny Church struck three for three o'clock.

What else?

And you said twelve years in retirement.
The hours go by like sips of water. The record lies unbroken,
and no doubt, it's white flour in my diet.
It's going to be the death of me, sweet drumroll for those embittered big ideas.

It's such a waste of all that I had.

You mentioned bats in the attic, 
so now you're lifting up the tiles to get around these conservation rules.
I walked down in the basement.
I'm hanging upside down, a gag across my mealy mouth.

And how I'll laugh out loud about that.
When I read your simple novel, it uses all our real names.

---it's a sample of Bats in the Attic by King Creosote & Jon Hopkins



All comments from YouTube:

@milky3653

Three years later, and I'm still listening to this thing, this shits good

@cwcwx

Same same... I've known it since 2014 and still come back 6 years later now. ^_^ Amen to this kind of soul-touching music ♥

@MegaMuffe

das ist mit Abstand der tollste Song den ich seit langer Zeit gehört habe! Könnte dabei einfach losheulen!

@milky3653

This song is outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holy crap

@teufel333

King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Bats In The Attic from their Album Diamond Mine - if someone is interested on the track where "what else" is based on.

@Timomaurice09

Immer und immer wieder... einfach bezaubernd!

@skleny2010

GORGEOUS SONG

@dekkutree

so unusual and absolutely fantastic song <3

@burbklur5600

the originating song is "King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Bats in the Attic"

@MrCrazyintheCoconut

Beautiful France ...

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