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.
Three
The Microphones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I climbed higher in the tree
At the top it started bending
I swayed down to you in the sea
When I saw you I called out your name
And I let go and fell into the water
And in between the crashing waves
Above me, you began to evaporate
You floated up while I was reaching for you
And now, as a cloud, you visit me
Every night and every morning
In between these times
I'm floating towards you
These lyrics, from the song Three by The Microphones, describe a moment of connection and separation between two people. The first two lines set the scene with contrasting images of one person swimming out into the ocean and the other climbing higher in a tree. The tree imagery suggests a metaphorical ascent, perhaps representing one person trying to achieve greater understanding or enlightenment. However, the climber is brought down by the bending tree, and ends up swaying down to the person in the sea. This physical movement towards the other person implies an emotional reaching out and a desire for connection.
The second verse continues this sense of striving towards the other person, with the singer swimming out right underneath them. However, their efforts are in vain, as the other person begins to evaporate above them. This imagery again suggests a metaphorical ascent, with the other person rising above the singer and leaving them behind. The final lines of the verse are particularly poignant, as the singer is left reaching for the other person who is no longer there.
Line by Line Meaning
You swam further out into the ocean
You distanced yourself from me and went into the unknown
I climbed higher in the tree
I attempted to gain a new perspective and better understanding
At the top it started bending
The thing that gave me my perspective began to weaken
I swayed down to you in the sea
I reached out and plunged into something unknown, just to be with you
When I saw you I called out your name
I called out for love because that is all I wanted
And I let go and fell into the water
I abandoned my fear and allowed myself to experience what I didn't know
And in between the crashing waves
With everything going on around us
I swam out right underneath you
I was always close by, trying to follow you even when I lost sight of you
Above me, you began to evaporate
You began to fade away from me, even though I was trying my best to catch up
You floated up while I was reaching for you
I was trying to get to you, but you kept moving further and further away
And now, as a cloud, you visit me
Even though you are gone, you still remain a part of me and inspire me in everything I do
Every night and every morning
Throughout my entire life
In between these times
When I am not actively thinking about you
I'm floating towards you
I am always moving towards the goal of reconnecting with you, no matter what happens
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Phillip Whitman Elvrum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
plush
See me look unveiled when I walk out of the canyon, and
See me start to climb at the end of day
But who's there to see me walk out?
There's no beacon; no sun to block out
No bird of blaze
A Close Dark Voice says:
"Do you really think there's anybody out there?"
Uh huh... Huh uh...
So what? No one sees me
What do I care now that the Black Night has seized me?
On a mountain's mane I climb to my claim
And I am aimless, alone, and unraveling
And above Barren Wastelands stare at me
They know my name
"What do you want?"
And I know I'll be in the air
And that my trail passes lions' lairs
And I see summits buried in more air
Buried in space
"See Phil? There's no end in sight!"
How many times have I learned this before?
How many times have I made up this song before?
How many times have I died up here before?
And oh how hidden tomorrow morning is!
What heavy fog!
What wide shadow!
[Universe Choir]
"Universe, I know you"
plush
See me look unveiled when I walk out of the canyon, and
See me start to climb at the end of day
But who's there to see me walk out?
There's no beacon; no sun to block out
No bird of blaze
A Close Dark Voice says:
"Do you really think there's anybody out there?"
Uh huh... Huh uh...
So what? No one sees me
What do I care now that the Black Night has seized me?
On a mountain's mane I climb to my claim
And I am aimless, alone, and unraveling
And above Barren Wastelands stare at me
They know my name
"What do you want?"
And I know I'll be in the air
And that my trail passes lions' lairs
And I see summits buried in more air
Buried in space
"See Phil? There's no end in sight!"
How many times have I learned this before?
How many times have I made up this song before?
How many times have I died up here before?
And oh how hidden tomorrow morning is!
What heavy fog!
What wide shadow!
[Universe Choir]
"Universe, I know you"
Wet Shoelace
4:52
fhdh ruf
yes
Martin Oholec
DO YOU
Athenss
REALLY
Carson Kendrick
THINK
Sassy Sasquatch
THERE’S ANYBODY OUT THERE?
xyckofswvb
SO WHAT
electric.campfire
This song played on spotify and I had to start seeing a therapist. This is the absolute worst song I have ever heard to the point it gave me anger management issues. I thought hell was being stuck in a room with Justin Beaver singing despacito on repeat. Wrong. Hell is this song coming on spotify and Alexa all the sudden doesn't recognize my voice to shut it off. I guess I'll be turning back in my 60 day anger management chip and try again.
John Daniel
LMAO