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.
I Love You. Let's Light Ourselves on Fire
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Static electricity.
What's making me take it all too far?
You are.
You are.
What's kepping me up at night?
The streetlight.
You might.
You might.
How do i know what i know?
Where did our love go?
How come the river froze over this year?
What are we hiding here?
I saw you waiting by the mailbox.
Saw the mailman come.
Saw the neighbors poke their heads out of their windows.
I saw everyone
The song "I Love You. Let's Light Ourselves on Fire" by The Mountain Goat is a raw and emotional depiction of a troubled relationship. The lyrics express the singer's frustration and desperation, wondering what will be the "death of me" and ultimately concluding that it is the other person, referred to as "you." The reference to "static electricity" suggests a feeling of tension and volatility in the relationship, and it seems that the singer may be taking things too far in response to this energy.
The second verse continues this theme, with the streetlight keeping the singer up at night and the possibility that the other person could be the one to finally let them sleep alright. The questions that follow are unanswered and reflective, expressing confusion and uncertainty about the state of the relationship. The image of the other person waiting by the mailbox and the reactions of the neighbors and mailman suggest that there may be some sort of tension or drama surrounding the relationship.
Overall, this song is a powerful exploration of the complexities and difficulties of love and relationships. The raw emotion and vulnerability in the lyrics make it relatable to anyone who has experienced the ups and downs of love and the struggle to make relationships work.
Line by Line Meaning
What's going to be the death of me?
Asking a rhetorical question about what will be his downfall.
Static electricity.
He believes his death will be caused by static electricity.
What's making me take it all too far?
Wondering what is causing him to push the limits too much.
You are.
Blaming the person he loves for making him take things too far.
What's kepping me up at night?
Questioning what is causing him to lose sleep.
The streetlight.
He can't sleep because of the light coming from the streetlight outside.
What's finally gonna let me sleep alright?
Wondering what can put his mind at ease and let him sleep peacefully.
You might.
He's hopeful that his love for the person can help him get some sleep.
How do i know what i know?
Questioning the validity of his own knowledge and understanding.
Where did our love go?
Wondering what happened to their love and relationship.
How come the river froze over this year?
Asking why something unexpected has happened.
What are we hiding here?
Questioning if they are keeping secrets from each other.
I saw you waiting by the mailbox.
Recalling a specific memory of seeing the person he loves waiting for the mail.
Saw the mailman come.
Observing the mailman delivering the mail to the person he loves.
Saw the neighbors poke their heads out of their windows.
Noticing the neighbors watching the mail being delivered and possibly spying on their activities.
I saw everyone
Acknowledging the presence of everyone around them, even if they are not outwardly interacting with them.
Contributed by Nathaniel T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dcpigpen
Only John Darnielle could record such an awesome album and then just not release it. What the hell ever man, just keep crankin' 'em out.
@fordsrevive
wow i came back to this video like months later and found this, thanks GotBeefFan i actaully really was just trying to pay a compliment,thanks again bro much appreciated
@METALTRON89
Thanks for an awesome upload
@TheLadyandthegiant
Love 3
@fordsrevive
@thomhankz thats sad,feel bad for you
@1gamerkid111
I believe someone needs to pitch correct it, John asked if everyone who listened to it would please download audacity and pitch correct it, As it was mastered a full tone higher than it was played, So...Someone should really get out there and make a downloadable fixed version.
@pyroboy1
please all of you just stop it and listen to the music, my god people.
@kidthekid1000
What I don't understand is why wouldn't he want to publish this album...
@stealst
... I don't think any of you realize that @fordsrevive was trying to pay The Mountain Goats a compliment.
@dapa4
I don't care. The non pitch-corrected version of this is the The version.