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.
Flashing Lights
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
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The pink colors behind the clouds tonight mirror the softer shades of your nightgown
As the neurotransmitters go crazy inside of me, you swear you're leaving town
Empty promises, empty promises
I am watching the way the wind seems to pass straight through your body
When you run your fingernail along my neck and you spill some water on me
You say you're as good as gone, well don't look now, but here comes the dawn
The song "Flashing Lights" by The Mountain Goats tells the story of a break-up that is about to happen. The singer is describing their partner as they're getting ready to leave. The first verse describes what the singer is wearing and how it's contrasted by the pink colors in the sky, possibly indicating a sense of innocence being lost. Meanwhile, the partner is making empty promises about leaving town, in other words, saying they are going to leave but not actually following through.
In the second verse, the singer is watching their partner's movements and touches. The partner spills water on the singer, perhaps a metaphor for the break-up being a messy situation. The partner continues to insist on leaving, but the singer reminds them that dawn is about to break, indicating that it's already too late. The repetition of the phrase "Empty promises" emphasizes the feeling of disappointment and betrayal that the singer is experiencing.
Overall, the song captures the intense emotions of a relationship falling apart, with each verse drawing attention to the ways in which the partner is making empty promises and is not following through with their commitments. The sense of resignation and sadness is palpable, with the singer recognizing that the break-up has already happened in all but name.
Line by Line Meaning
I am wearing a white long-sleeve button-down
I am dressed in a way that conveys an impression of formality and neatness.
The pink colors behind the clouds tonight mirror the softer shades of your nightgown
The sky tonight has a stunning and romantic pink hue that reminds me of the softness and delicacy of your nightgown.
As the neurotransmitters go crazy inside of me, you swear you're leaving town
The processes in my brain are activating strongly and chaotically due to my emotions, and despite this, you promise to leave town and go away from me.
Empty promises, empty promises
Your promises to leave me are hollow and worthless.
I am watching the way the wind seems to pass straight through your body
I am observing how your body seems thin and insubstantial as the wind passes through it, revealing your vulnerability.
When you run your fingernail along my neck and you spill some water on me
You touch me in an intimate and sensual way, causing me to feel aroused and excited, but you also spill water on me, perhaps conveying a sense of detachment and carelessness.
You say you're as good as gone, well don't look now, but here comes the dawn
You insist that you are definitely planning to leave me, but I know that the dawn is coming, and there is always the possibility that things could change and become better.
Empty promises, empty promises, empty promises, empty promises
Your repeated promises to leave me are insincere and unreliable, and I am left feeling hopeless and confused.
Contributed by Emma H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.