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.
Cold Milk Bottle
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dew drops gathered on the grass
And the yellow sun came into view
Another goddamn message from you
Well, despite your best efforts I feel alright
Against my better judgment I feel alright
Despite your random acts of violence I feel alright
You're mean to me
Why must you be mean to me?
You shouldn't forget, you see
What you mean to me
The song "Cold Milk Bottle" by The Mountain Goats is a heartfelt expression of the contradictory emotions that arise within the singer in response to a toxic relationship. The first stanza begins with a depiction of a serene morning, with rainbows shining on the glass and dew drops gathering on the grass. However, this idyllic scene is interrupted by the arrival of "another goddamn message" from the subject of the singer's frustration, indicating that the message is unwelcome and possibly aggressive. Despite this unwelcome communication, the singer declares that they feel "alright," highlighting the resilience and resistance that they have mustered in the face of the other person's hostility.
The second stanza further explores the singer's complicated emotional state. They admit that, despite the other person's "random acts of violence" and "force of fury," they still feel "alright." This suggests a level of self-preservation and a determination to maintain a sense of emotional stability in the face of difficulty. However, the final lines of the stanza reveal a deep sadness and confusion at the other person's behavior. The singer questions why they are treated so poorly, asking "Why must you be mean to me?" and lamenting the fact that the other person seems to have forgotten "what you mean to me." This final sentiment suggests that, despite the difficulties in the relationship, the singer still harbors strong feelings for the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
Rainbows shone on the glass
The bright colors reflected on the window represent a fleeting moment of happiness.
Dew drops gathered on the grass
The small droplets of water symbolize the beauty of nature.
And the yellow sun came into view
The sun rising suggests new beginnings.
Another goddamn message from you
The artist has been receiving unwanted and unpleasant messages from someone.
Well, despite your best efforts I feel alright
The artist is trying to overcome their negative feelings caused by the messages and feel okay.
Against my better judgment I feel alright
Even though it may not be rational, the singer is able to feel okay.
Despite your random acts of violence I feel alright
The singer is able to rise above the negative behavior of the person sending the messages.
Despite the force of your fury I feel alright
The artist is able to resist the hate and anger directed towards them.
You're mean to me
The artist is addressing the person sending the messages.
Why must you be mean to me?
The artist is asking why this person is treating them poorly.
You shouldn't forget, you see
The singer is reminding the person that they do have significance in their life.
What you mean to me
The artist is expressing that the person is important to them, despite their behavior.
Contributed by Ethan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.