Darnielle began the new millennium with The Coroner's Gambit for Absolutely Kosher before signing to 4AD for the release of the surprisingly polished Tallahassee in 2002. We Shall All Be Healed followed in 2004, and one year later, Darnielle was back with The Sunset Tree. Remaining as prolific as ever, Darnielle turned away from the intensity of The Sunset Tree for a calmer, more reflective set of songs on 2006's Get Lonely. The accessible and assured Heretic Pride appeared in 2008. Next up was the Bible verse-inspired The Life of the World to Come, the group's sixth album for 4AD, in 2010. Switching to Merge Records in 2011, Darnielle released All Eternals Deck, which was recorded in four different studios in Brooklyn, Boston, North Carolina, and Florida with four different producers -- John Congleton, Scott Solter, Brandon Eggleston, and Morbid Angel guitarist and Hate Eternal frontman Erik Rutan -- helming various tracks. That year the band was also handpicked by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival that he was curating in Minehead, England, but they were ultimately unable to appear due to scheduling issues.
Alpha Negative
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I felt strong with you at my side
Your eyes at night had a beautiful glowing in them
And I knew in my heart just what was growing in them
Ah, but you made me drink poison
It felt smooth running down my throat
I love you, and you made me drink poison
Do you remember?
We had a bed of daisies thriving in the yard
And I quit my job, so I could hold you all the time
I tried to stop the thing metastasizing in us
But in the warm, slow evening
I could feel it rising in us
Ah, and you made me drink poison
It felt so smooth, sliding down my throat
I love you so much, and you made me drink poison
It was cool and smooth and sweet and cool
And smooth and sweet and cool and smooth
The opening lines of "Alpha Negative" by The Mountain Goats describes an idyllic scene of a beautiful house with a wide yard, and a relationship where the singer feels strong with their partner by their side. The second set of lines takes a darker turn, as the partner made the singer drink poison - this is a metaphor for a toxic and unhealthy relationship. The singer is aware of the poison and is aware that it hurts them, but they still drink it because they love their partner.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "You made me drink poison", emphasizing the harm caused by the partner. The singer loves their partner so much that they continue to allow themselves to be poisoned. The third verse mentions a bed of daisies thriving in the yard and the singer quitting their job to spend more time with their partner. However, they also feel that the relationship is metastasizing, which means spreading and growing beyond control. Despite their reservations, the singer still feels the poison rising within them during warm, slow evenings with their partner.
The lyrics of "Alpha Negative" convey a powerful message about toxic relationships, where one partner can be both the poison and the antidote. It highlights the dangers of staying in a relationship that is harmful and unhealthy, even when the love is strong.
Line by Line Meaning
The house was pretty and the yard was wide
The environment was beautiful and spacious.
And I felt strong with you at my side
The presence of the partner induced strength and confidence.
Your eyes at night had a beautiful glowing in them
The partner's eyes shone brightly at night.
And I knew in my heart just what was growing in them
The feeling of love and affection towards the partner was strong.
Ah, but you made me drink poison
The partner caused harm by making the singer consume something poisonous.
It felt smooth running down my throat
The poison felt pleasant upon consuming it.
I love you, and you made me drink poison
Despite the harm caused, the singer still loves the partner.
It was cool and smooth and sweet
The poison had a pleasant taste and texture.
Do you remember?
The singer asks the partner if they recall that moment.
We had a bed of daisies thriving in the yard
The couple had a garden full of thriving flowers.
And I quit my job, so I could hold you all the time
The singer left their job to prioritize spending time with the partner.
I tried to stop the thing metastasizing in us
The singer attempted to prevent a negative situation from worsening.
But in the warm, slow evening
During a relaxed and peaceful time of day,
I could feel it rising in us
The negative situation was still growing despite efforts to stop it.
Ah, and you made me drink poison
The partner caused harm once again.
It felt so smooth, sliding down my throat
Despite the harm caused, the sensation of the poison was still pleasant.
I love you so much, and you made me drink poison
The singer's love for the partner remains despite the harm caused.
It was cool and smooth and sweet and cool
The taste and texture of the poison were still pleasant.
And smooth and sweet and cool and smooth
The repetition of the description of the poison's attributes underscores its continued appeal to the singer despite its destructive effects.
Contributed by Kayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jamessarsgard1342
First mountain goats song I ever heard
@kinghenriquevolta
They made you drink poison
@ocj1313
good first song to hear!
@skullisbones
The house was pretty and the yard was wide
And I felt strong with you at my side
Your eyes at night had a beautiful glowing in them
And I knew in my heart just what was growing in them
Ah, but you made me drink poison
It felt smooth running down my throat
I love you, and you made me drink poison
It was cool and smooth and sweet
Do you remember?
We had a bed of daisies thriving in the yard
And I quit my job, so I could hold you all the time
I tried to stop the thing metastasizing in us
But in the warm, slow evening
I could feel it rising in us
Ah, and you made me drink poison
It felt so smooth sliding down my throat
I love you so much, and you made me drink poison
It was cool and smooth and sweet and cool
And smooth and sweet and cool and smooth