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.
You're Standing on the Ground
The Microphones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're standing on the ground.
The Ground. Teeth Ground.
You finally hear the sound.
Your stomach makes a sound.
Surround. Pink Clound.
You're standing on the ground.
The light will knock you down.
You still breath in and out.
You're sprawled across the groind.
Heaped in a mound. Waves Pound.
The Microphones's song You're Standing on the Ground is a song that speaks of a person's sense of grounding in the world. The first two lines are repeated five times throughout the song, serving as a reminder to the listener that they are, indeed, standing on the ground. The next line, "The Ground. Teeth Ground," is a cryptic bit of imagery that suggests both the solidity of the earth beneath our feet, as well as the way it can be both beautiful and dangerous.
The next few lines are more abstract, with the singer hearing sounds coming from their own body ("Your stomach makes a sound"), and finding themselves surrounded by some kind of ethereal presence ("Surround. Pink Cloud"). These surreal images progress until the singer finds themselves overwhelmed by the light ("The light will knock you down. Lighthouse. Scraping Continents"). Yet they keep breathing, and the song ends with an image of the singer lying on the ground, dwarfed by the power of the waves ("Heaped in a mound. Waves Pound").
Overall, the song is an introspective exploration of the human experience, using surreal imagery to evoke a sense of both wonder and vulnerability. It speaks of the ground beneath our feet, the sounds our bodies make, and the overwhelming majesty of the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
You're standing on the ground.
You are physically present and not floating or flying, firmly rooted to the earth.
You finally hear the sound.
After being perhaps lost in thought or distracted, you become aware of audible sensations.
Your stomach makes a sound.
Your digestive system produces an audible noise due to hunger or digestion.
Surround. Pink Cloud.
The scenery around you is characterized by a pink cloud, creating an ambiance.
The light will knock you down.
A sudden source of illumination will cause you to be temporarily blinded or disoriented.
Lighthouse. Scraping Continents.
A tall structure that emits light to guide ships or warn of danger, situated on the edge of landmasses that scrape against each other.
You still breath in and out.
Despite the tumultuousness of the environment or feeling a sense of euphoria, you continue to breathe normally.
You're sprawled across the ground.
You are lying down in a relaxed or exhausted state, perhaps while enjoying the scenery.
Heaped in a mound. Waves Pound.
Your body is piled up in a heap, creating a small hill. You can hear the repetitive and forceful sound of waves crashing nearby.
Writer(s): Phillip Elvrum
Contributed by Ellie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.