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 Felt My Size
The Microphones Lyrics
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was storing up to ignite the night and light up
the coldness of the cave the billowy flames lit up my face
the thinning smoke hung in the branches waiting for wind
my front was warm, the cold backs of my arms
never felt the dawn, the night was long
when the real dawn came i saw it crawl over the hill
and i felt clean and shook my hair out in the light
i looked down and felt motion under me
i looked out across the freeway at the people flying by
and turned my head, i closed my eyes, i felt my size
i recalled my fire, and my lack of dawn
my one sided warmth, i just wanted more
but i'm small, i'm not a planet at all
i'm small, i'm small, we are all
The lyrics of "I Felt My Size" by The Microphones are open to interpretation and are believed to be about a transformative experience in nature. The song is written in the first-person, narrating the singer's encounter with the elements and their reflection on their own size and place in the world.
The opening lines describe the singer's physical proximity to the sun and the resulting buildup of heat. This heat is contrasted with the coldness of the cave, which is then illuminated by the billowing flames. The night is long and the singer feels the dawn crawl over the hill, welcoming the new day.
As the singer gazes at the sky and the people passing by on the freeway, they reflect on their own size and significance. They recall their own fire, their one-sided warmth, and their desire for more. Yet, they also acknowledge their smallness and commonality with all other beings.
The song's lyrics are rich in symbolism and metaphor, and can be interpreted in different ways depending on one's perspective. Some see it as a meditation on the relationship between humanity and nature, while others see it as a personal reflection on identity and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
the heat from the closeness of me tilting towards the sun
The warmth emanating from my body as I leaned towards the sun.
was storing up to ignite the night and light up
The energy accumulating from my closeness to the sun was enough to light up the dark night.
the coldness of the cave the billowy flames lit up my face
The flames illuminated my face as I looked at the cold, dark cave surrounding me.
the thinning smoke hung in the branches waiting for wind
The smoke from the fire lingered in the tree branches, waiting for a gust of wind to clear it out.
my front was warm, the cold backs of my arms
My front was warmed by the fire, but the backs of my arms remained cold in the night air.
never felt the dawn, the night was long
The night seemed to go on forever, and I never experienced the warmth of the dawn.
when the real dawn came i saw it crawl over the hill
At last, I witnessed the true dawn as it slowly crept over the horizon.
and i felt clean and shook my hair out in the light
In the light of the dawn, I felt refreshed and free, shaking out my hair in celebration.
i looked up and hurt my eyes on the painful powerful sky
When I looked up, I was blinded by the intensity of the bright, powerful sky overhead.
i looked down and felt motion under me
As I looked down, I realized that the earth beneath me was alive and moving.
i looked out across the freeway at the people flying by
I gazed out at the highway and the people whizzing by in their cars.
and turned my head, i closed my eyes, i felt my size
Feeling overwhelmed, I turned away, closing my eyes and taking in the realization of my own smallness.
i recalled my fire, and my lack of dawn
I remembered the fire I had built and the fact that I had missed out on the true dawn earlier.
my one sided warmth, i just wanted more
Despite the warmth of the fire, I still longed for more heat and comfort.
but i'm small, i'm not a planet at all
I recognized that in the grand scheme of things, I am just a small being, not a mighty planet or force.
i'm small, i'm small, we are all
I repeated to myself that we are all small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.