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.
Samurai Sword
The Microphones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your massive paws press down the snow
I've got bare feet
Touching bark right above you silently
I lower down my icy stare, you smell the air
I've got a samurai sword meant for you, polar bear
I've got a grizzly look in my eye
You want my blood all over your face
But I'm plummeting through branches towards you now
Feeling still (samurai phil)
The lyrics to The Microphones' "Samurai Sword" initially depict a bear foraging for prey in the snow while the singer quietly watches from the trees above, armed with a samurai sword. The two adversaries stand in tense silence, each sizing up the other before one plane ultimately emerges as the victor. This imagery can be interpreted in a variety of ways, however, as the bear represents both the natural world that we attempt to conquer and the human need to assert dominance over others.
The mention of a samurai sword adds another layer of meaning to the lyrics, as the samurai code of bushido is all about honor and respect. In the context of the song, the singer may be attempting to assert their dominance over the bear in a more respectful way, rather than just taking its life without thought. Alternatively, the samurai sword could simply be seen as a tool of violence, and the song is a commentary on the consequences of our actions and how we justify them to ourselves.
Overall, "Samurai Sword" is a thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to consider their place in the natural world and how they interact with those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a bear foraging for a kill
You are an animal searching for food
Your massive paws press down the snow
Your big feet make an imprint on the snow
I've got bare feet
I do not have any shoes on
Touching bark right above you silently
I am quietly touching the tree above you
I lower down my icy stare, you smell the air
I look down at you with a cold glare and you sniff the air
I've got a samurai sword meant for you, polar bear
I have a sword that is intended to hurt you, Mr. Polar Bear
I've got a grizzly look in my eye
I have an intense expression on my face
You aim to drag me back down underground to gorge.
You want to drag me down into a hole to eat me
You want my blood all over your face
You want to kill me and get my blood on your face
But I'm plummeting through branches towards you now
But I am quickly falling through the tree branches towards you at this moment
Feeling still (samurai phil)
I am calm and collected, like a samurai named Phil
Contributed by Jayden A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.