Vertigo
The Minor Times Lyrics
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The opening lines of The Minor Times's song Vertigo refer to an act of vandalism, that is, someone throwing a note on a brick through another person's window. The singer quickly dismisses this image, suggesting that it's not as powerful as something more overt like a burning car on someone's front lawn. The point is that people tend to do things that are not necessarily subtle in reaction to certain situations because they feel powerless, and it's almost as though the more extreme the reaction, the more they believe they can take control. The singer then equates this feeling to a race riot, and mentions taking out the double A's from the smoke alarm, suggesting that they are disregarding their own safety in pursuit of revenge.
The second half of the verse takes on a more ominous tone. The singer suggests that they might not wake up from what they are about to do, or if they do, they'll tell the children a "half version of the truth," implying that they are not entirely in control of their actions. The idea of the town being on fire is a metaphor for the chaos and destruction that can be caused by people recklessly pursuing their own interests. The advertisers laughing all the way to the blood bank is a reference to the idea that people profit from the suffering of others, which is particularly relevant in situations of violence and destruction. The last line of the verse, "Look the other way. Repeat. Repeat," refers to the idea that people can become numb to violence and destruction if they see it often enough, that it can become a normal part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the note on the brick through your window.
This is our message to you, but it may not be as direct as a brick through your window.
No, it's more like the burning Lexus on your front lawn…just more thinly veiled.
Actually, our message is more like the destruction of your property, but we're trying to conceal it a bit.
We're going off like a race riot.
We are inciting a violent and destructive reaction to the issues at hand, just as a race riot might.
So take the double A's out of the smoke alarm for the TV remote.
We want you to prioritize your immediate comfort over your own safety and well-being.
We won't wake up.
We are numb to the destruction we are causing and the consequences of our actions.
We won't wake up, but if we do, we'll tell the kids a half version of the truth.
We acknowledge that we are not being fully truthful and may only reveal part of the story to make ourselves look better.
It's best not to think about it.
We would rather avoid confronting the reality of our destructive actions and live in denial instead.
The 10 o'clock news is screaming that the town is on fire.
The media is reporting on our destructive behavior and the chaos we are causing.
Everyone knows it.
The entire town is aware of the destruction and chaos we are causing.
The advertisers are laughing all the way to the blood bank and you're just the punch line.
Corporate entities are profiting off our destructive behavior and we are the ones who will ultimately suffer the consequences.
Look the other way. Repeat. Repeat.
We are encouraging ourselves and others to ignore the reality of our actions and continue with destructive behavior.
Contributed by Abigail V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.