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.
The Glow Part 2
The Microphones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
no one saw that the skin on my shoulders was golden
now it's not
my shirt's back on
i forgot my songs
the glow is gone
my gliding body stopped
i faced death
i went in with my arms swinging
but i heard my own breath
and i have to face that i'm still living
i'm still flesh
i hold on to awful feelings
i'm not dead
there's no end
my face is red
my blood
flows harshly
my heart
beats loudly
my chest still draws breath
i hold it
i'm buoyant
there's no end
The Microphones' "The Glow Part 2" is a haunting and introspective song that delves into the internal struggles of the songwriter. In the opening lines, the songwriter takes off his shirt in the yard, revealing his golden shoulders, a symbol of his inner radiance. However, as the song progresses, he puts his shirt back on and realizes that the glow has faded, and he has forgotten his songs. This is a clear indication of how the songwriter has lost his spark and inspiration and is struggling to stay afloat.
The second part of the song talks about the songwriter's battle with death, suggesting that he has faced a life-threatening situation. However, he's still alive, and this realization makes him hold on to his painful feelings as he continues to survive. The lyrics are brutally honest and reveal the ultimate resilience of the human spirit. The song ends with the lines "there's no end," suggesting that the songwriter is still stuck in this process of survival, and there's no easy way out of it.
Overall, "The Glow Part 2" is a powerful song that explores themes of struggle, resilience, and the human condition. The lyrics depict the pain and exhaustion that come with facing our demons, but they also highlight the importance of holding on and persevering.
Line by Line Meaning
i took my shirt off in the yard
I bared my vulnerability to the world, exposing my true self
no one saw that the skin on my shoulders was golden
My innate beauty and radiance were hidden from others
now it's not
My authenticity and glow have faded away
my shirt's back on
I've put on a facade and am no longer exposing my true self
i forgot my songs
I've lost touch with my creativity and inspiration
the glow is gone
My radiance and beauty have disappeared
my gliding body stopped
I no longer feel free and weightless, but weighed down by the struggles of life
i could not get through september without a battle
Life is a constant struggle, and even the simplest things can be a challenge
i faced death
I confronted my own mortality and impermanence
i went in with my arms swinging
I faced my challenges head-on, with courage and determination
but i heard my own breath
I became aware of my own existence and was reminded that I am alive
and i have to face that i'm still living
Despite the hardships, I am still alive and must continue to live
i'm still flesh
I am a physical being with emotions and vulnerabilities
i hold on to awful feelings
I am still grappling with negative emotions and past pains
i'm not dead
Despite the struggles, I am still alive and have the opportunity to thrive
there's no end
Life is a continuous journey with no clear destination
my face is red
I am emotional and overwhelmed by the challenges of life
my blood
flows harshly
My inner turmoil and negative emotions are overwhelming my physical body
my heart
beats loudly
My emotions are intense and overpowering my physical senses
my chest still draws breath
I am still alive and breathing, despite the challenges
i hold it
I hold onto life, despite the struggles
i'm buoyant
I still have hope and the potential to rise above the challenges
there's no end
The journey of life continues indefinitely
Contributed by Mason B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aubreylear
this is dreadful
@mappplesirrup8473
lovely
@nowherelift
In which sense?
@wesplay23
@Nowherelift in the best sense. it’s dreadfully amazing
@nowherelift
@WESPLAY hell yeah
@aubreylear
@Nowherelift yes.
@hihello-sx1sx
This happened to my buddy Eric
@jonahw5587
Ye me too when he went to the
@hihello-sx1sx
@Jonah Westberg him when he the
@jrdnsgrarchvs9163
Yeah he really did