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.
Going to Wisconsin
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
on that day.
everyone said just to sit still,
but the thickening air got in my way.
so the hooks been baited now,
yeah, the cheese is on the water.
yeah, all the water's been cleansed of all impurities,
let's go! let's go!
wisconsin bound.
wisconsin bound.
wisconsin bound.
yeah, wisconsin bound.
the bottom of the boat was a hot-plate come alive.
but the boat wasn't real, and this is how I feel:
you don't know where you are, until you arrive.
and the frogs sang out from the distant banks.
and you say you need me in california,
but, no thanks!
wisconsin bound.
wisconsin bound.
wisconsin bound.
yeah, wisconsin bound.
let's go!
The lyrics to The Mountain Goats' song "Going to Wisconsin" tell a story of restlessness, of feeling trapped in one place and desperately wanting to escape. The singer hears the sound of a lake boiling over, a vivid and visceral image that suggests an intense, almost volatile energy building up inside of them. Despite others telling them to "just sit still," the singer feels compelled to act, to move, to go somewhere else.
The reference to baited hooks and cheese on the water suggests a fishing trip, but it's clear that the journey itself is more important than any specific destination. The water has been cleansed of impurities, but this detail "really doesn't matter" - the urge to move forward overrides any concern for purity or cleanliness.
As the singer sets off on their journey, they become aware of the sensations and details of their surroundings - the bottom of the boat feels like a hot plate, and the frogs sing out from distant banks. They reject the idea of being needed in California, preferring instead to go on this unknown journey to Wisconsin.
Overall, the song captures a sense of restlessness and longing for something beyond the familiar, even if that means setting off into the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
there was the sound of a lake boiling over
On that day, something felt chaotic and overwhelming.
everyone said just to sit still,
Others advised staying calm and not taking action.
but the thickening air got in my way.
However, the situation felt suffocating and necessitated movement.
so the hooks been baited now,
The situation has been set in motion.
yeah, the cheese is on the water.
The plan is underway and the stakes have been set.
yeah, all the water's been cleansed of all impurities,
The situation now feels purified, clean, and potentially ideal.
but now it really doesn't matter.
However, the specifics are not as important as the overall journey.
let's go! let's go!
It is time to move forward and begin the journey.
wisconsin bound.
The destination is Wisconsin.
the bottom of the boat was a hot-plate come alive.
The journey is full of life and energy.
but the boat wasn't real, and this is how I feel:
However, the details of the situation may be unclear or non-literal.
you don't know where you are, until you arrive.
One cannot fully understand their place until they reach their destination.
and the frogs sang out from the distant banks.
The journey is accompanied by the sounds of nature and the world around them.
and you say you need me in california,
Others may try to lure or convince the singer to go elsewhere.
but, no thanks!
However, the singer is committed to their journey to Wisconsin and declines other opportunities.
let's go!
The call to move forward and continue the journey continues.
Contributed by Molly L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
arctictis
There was the sound of a lake boiling over
On that day
Everyone said just to sit still
But the thickening air got in my way
So the hook's been baited now
Yeah the cheese is on the water
Yeah the water's been cleansed of all impurities
But now it really doesn't matter
Let's go, let's go
Wisconsin bound
Wisconsin bound
Wisconsin bound, yeah
Wisconsin bound
The bottom of the boat was a hotplate come alive
But the boat wasn't real, and this is how I feel
You don't know where you are until you arrive
And the frogs sang out from the distant banks
And you say you need me in California
But no thanks
Wisconsin bound
Wisconsin bound
Wisconsin bound
Yeah, Wisconsin bound
Let's go
FosterB
I believe it is hot blade come alive
Diane [redacted]
4 views?! I swear like half of them are mine! 😂😂😂😂😂👍👍👍
Colonial Straits
Cole Griffin Clearly, you have impeccable taste!