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.
Sand
The Microphones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in one thing that you say to me
would you like to leave?
when i try to talk at all, it all just turns out to be
turn on the stove
in the little tiny rooms that our friends call a home
my head fills with heat
from the knife in your hand to mine
what you think about, why it seems so bad
it's only escape
from everything i know i'm weak, i know that i'm sad
turn on the stove
in the little tiny rooms that our friends call a home
my head fills with heat
from the knife in your hand to my sand
The Microphones' song "Sand" is a hauntingly beautiful track with mysterious and poetic lyrics that leave a lot of room for interpretation. The song seems to be about a relationship that has fallen apart, leaving the singer feeling confused, despondent, and possibly even suicidal. The first verse expresses a longing to believe in something that the other person has said, but also a fear of being left behind. The second verse is even more ambiguous, as the lyrics describe a scene of intense heat and tension in a tiny room, with a knife representing some kind of violent threat. There is also a sense of desperation and helplessness, as the singer says they are weak and sad and looking for a way to escape.
One possible interpretation of "Sand" is that it is about the aftermath of a failed romantic relationship. The singer is trying to make sense of what went wrong and why they feel so lost and alone. The imagery of the tiny room and the knife suggest a sense of claustrophobia and danger, as if the singer feels trapped and afraid of their former partner. The reference to sand in the final line of the song could be read as a metaphor for a relationship that has crumbled away to nothing, leaving only a desolate wasteland behind.
Line by Line Meaning
i'd like to believe
I want to put my trust in something
in one thing that you say to me
I want to believe what you tell me
would you like to leave?
Do you want to go away?
when i try to talk at all, it all just turns out to be
Whenever I attempt to communicate, it always ends up being
turn on the stove
Light up the oven
in the little tiny rooms that our friends call a home
Inside the small living spaces labeled as homes by our friends
my head fills with heat
My mind overflows with anger and confusion
from the knife in your hand to mine
Due to the tension and conflict between us
i'd like to understand
I want to comprehend
what you think about, why it seems so bad
Your thoughts and the reasons why things are going wrong
it's only escape
The only way out of this situation
from everything i know i'm weak, i know that i'm sad
Because I recognize my own lack of strength and sorrow
from the knife in your hand to my sand
Implying some sort of threat from you to me
Contributed by Isabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.