The Microphones is the name of a project that Anacortes, WA's Phil Elverum … Read Full Bio ↴The Microphones is the name of a project that Anacortes, WA's Phil Elverum has headed since 1996. Its sound is best described as lo-fi "fuzz folk," including drum-crashing, bass-thrashing sonic freakouts, strummy classical guitar love songs, angelic vocal choirs, and almost-whispered vocals over harmoniums and bell kits.

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 Listen Close
The Microphones Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I unlocked your side.
It got dark and we went north.
Trying to peek through driving snow
And I listened to you low.
Outside the wind got fast and cold.
And made a tiny sound, the ghostly Blow.
You sang low, I listened close.
I tried to join you in your note.

The 3 parts surprised us both:
We 3; you and me and the Blow!

(it will be grey when we get home,
I listen close, you keep me warm.)

Overall Meaning

At first glance, the lyrics to The Microphones' song "I Listen Close" may seem like a simple description of a winter road trip with a friend. However, upon closer inspection, the lyrics reveal a deeper exploration of human connection and the power of music. The singer describes unlocking their friend's side, which could symbolize opening up emotionally and sharing parts of oneself that are not visible to the outside world. They then venture out into the cold and snow, where they use their senses to take in the world around them - looking, listening, feeling.

The line "You sang low, I listened close" is particularly poignant, as it suggests a deep connection between the two people. Through music, they are able to communicate things that they might not be able to express otherwise. The final stanza, where they both join in unison with the ghostly Blow, solidifies this sense of connection, as they become part of something greater than themselves. The singer even suggests that they will remember this moment and how it made them feel when they return home and things return to "grey."

Overall, "I Listen Close" is a powerful meditation on human connection, the beauty of music, and the ways in which we can find moments of warmth and light in even the darkest of winters.

Line by Line Meaning

I unlocked your side.
I opened your car door to let you in.

It got dark and we went north.
It became nighttime and we drove in the northern direction.

Trying to peek through driving snow
We struggled to see through the heavy snowfall.

And I listened to you low.
I paid close attention to your soft and quiet voice.

Outside the wind got fast and cold.
The wind picked up quickly and became very cold outside the car.

And made a tiny sound, the ghostly Blow.
The wind made a faint, eerie noise.

You sang low, I listened close.
You sang quietly and I listened carefully.

I tried to join you in your note.
I attempted to harmonize with your singing.

The 3 parts surprised us both:
The added element of the ghostly wind created an unexpected three-part sound.

We 3; you and me and the Blow!
The combination of our voices and the sound of the wind created a unique and meaningful moment.

(it will be grey when we get home,
The weather will likely be dreary when we return home.