In 2004, Elverum abandoned the "Microphones" name to begin recording as Mount Eerie, briefly returning in December 2007 when he began selling a new 7" single by the Microphones ("Don't Smoke" / "Get Off the Internet") on his website and at concerts.
In 2020, Elverum returned to the Microphones name once more to release the project's 14th album Microphones in 2020. Microphones members/collaborators include Karl Blau, Dennis Driscoll, Kyle Field aka Little Wings, Mirah, Khaela Maricich aka The Blow, Adrian Orange aka Thanksgiving, Adam Forkner and K Records' founder, Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening and the Halo Benders.
I'm Like You Tree
The Microphones Lyrics
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I grow and die
And like you my wealthy branches sag in rain
And also like you wind blows me dry
Still coarsing through with wet remains
We grow in a gleam
We thrive in light
Look closely
I look just like you
We both burst blindly from the ground
Hardened pilgrims from a molten core
And we both sing love for a womanly cloud
Armony limbs reaching for more
We want more
The song "I'm Like You Tree" by The Microphones is a poetic and insightful reflection on the cycle of life and growth. The lyrics compare the experience of a tree to that of a human, highlighting the shared experience of growth and decay, as well as the interconnectivity of all living things. The first stanza describes the tree's reaction to rain and wind, emphasizing the physical similarities between humans and trees.
The second stanza discusses the shared need for light and how both the tree and the human thrive in its presence. The refrain "Look closely, look at me closely" serves to draw the listener's attention to the importance of paying attention to the natural world and recognizing ourselves in it. The third stanza continues the comparison, likening both the tree and the human to pilgrims rising from the ground and reaching upwards towards the sky.
The final line "We want more" serves as a reminder of the innate human desire for expansion and growth, while also acknowledging the limitations and impermanence of life. Overall, the song offers a deeply insightful and reflective perspective on our place in the natural world and the cycle of life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm like you tree
I share a resemblance with you, tree
I grow and die
I go through the natural cycle of growth and decay, just like you, tree
And like you my wealthy branches sag in rain
I too feel the weight of my possessions and experiences in times of hardship, just like how the tree's branches hang lower during rain
And also like you wind blows me dry
I too feel the effects of the outside world, which can take away from me just as the wind takes away from the tree
Still coarsing through with wet remains
Despite this, I am still marked and defined by my past, like how the tree still carries the remnants of the rain even after it passes
We grow in a gleam
We both flourish and develop in the brightness of the world
We thrive in light
We both experience the most success and fulfillment when surrounded by positivity and brightness
Look closely
Take a closer look at me and you will see our similarities
Look at me closely
Focus on me and observe our similarities
I look just like you
We share such an intimate likeness that I could be mistaken for you
We both burst blindly from the ground
We both had a similar origin and started out with little knowledge of the world
Hardened pilgrims from a molten core
We both have come a long way from our original states, shaped and molded by experiences just as a pilgrim becomes hardened from their journey
And we both sing love for a womanly cloud
Our love and affection for things outside of ourselves is pure and unbridled, just as the tree's love reaches out to a cloud in the sky
Armony limbs reaching for more
Our desire for growth and expansion is harmonious and in-sync with the natural world
We want more
We share an innate desire to push for more, to evolve and experience all that the world can offer
Contributed by London H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.