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 being made up
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 look down
I breathe out cold
Your... I′ve got a samurai sword meant for you
Polar bear
You wanna take me back down underground to gorge
You want my blood on your face
I've got a grizzly look in my eye
You've got white fur
The lyrics of The Microphones' song Samurai Sword paint an intense picture of a confrontation between a human and a polar bear in a wintry setting. The opening lines set the scene, with the bear foraging in the snow and the human watching silently from above. In this moment, the two are separate but equally matched forces in their respective environments. The tense mood is conveyed through the short, sharp lines and the use of present tense, which creates the sense of the action unfolding in real time.
As the scene builds, the human reveals a samurai sword, which is intended as a weapon against the polar bear. The sword is a potent symbol of power, skill, and menace, and it creates an immediate sense of danger for the bear. The chorus repeats the bear's name and sound, heightening the sense of tension and creating a kind of eerie animal music in the background. Ultimately, the song is about the raw, primal forces of nature and humanity, with each entity vying for survival and dominance in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a bear foraging for a kill
You are relentlessly searching for prey
Your massive paws press down the snow
Your physical strength is apparent in your surroundings
I've got bare feet
I am vulnerable and defenseless
Touching bark right above you silently
I am nimble and stealthy in my movements
I look down
I am watching your every move
I breathe out cold
I am calm and focused in this moment
Your... I've got a samurai sword meant for you
I have the perfect weapon to defeat you
Polar bear
Your species is known for its aggression and power
Ooo-ooo-oo-ooo
Indicates a feeling of impending danger
You wanna take me back down underground to gorge
You want to overpower and consume me
You want my blood on your face
You are driven by primal instincts to hunt and kill
I've got a grizzly look in my eye
I am not intimidated and ready to fight
You've got white fur
Your appearance is deceptive and conceals your true nature
Writer(s): Phillip Whitman Elvrum
Contributed by Makayla M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.