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.
Keep It on Your Mind
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your baby's going to burn your playhouse down
You better keep it on your mind
You better keep it on your mind
You'll be a-moaning and a-groaning
Lord, you better keep it on your mind
Now wrong is wrong and right is right
You better keep it on your mind
You better keep it on your mind
I've had it proven to me
Lord, you better keep it on your mind
Every fuss got the same old end
I don't believe the good Lord meant for a man to win
You better keep it on your mind
You better keep it on your mind
You'll be a-groaning and a-hopping
Lord, you better keep it on your mind
Now if she gets mad, and tells you goodbye
There's not a thing that you can do but sit at home and cry
You better keep it on your mind
You better keep it on your mind
You better call her sweet mamma!
Lord, you better keep it on your mind
The lyrics to The Mountain Goats' song Keep It on Your Mind explore the consequences of one's actions and the importance of being mindful of them. The opening line warns of the dangers of straying from one's commitments and hints at the potential destruction that could occur as a result. The repeated refrain of "you better keep it on your mind" serves as a reminder to the listener to stay focused and aware of the possible outcomes of their actions.
The verses contain a mix of straightforward and figurative language to drive home the idea that there are consequences to one's actions. The second verse warns that even a seemingly small action, like making a pig angry, can have negative consequences if one isn't careful. The third verse suggests that no matter how hard one tries, there will always be a winner and a loser in any conflict. The final verse speaks to the potential heartbreak one may face if they take their significant other for granted and suggests that communication is key to maintaining a healthy relationship.
Overall, Keep It on Your Mind is a cautionary tale about the dangers of neglecting the potential outcomes of one's actions and serves as a reminder to stay mindful of our decisions and interactions.
Line by Line Meaning
Now if you stay out and start playing around
If you cheat on your partner and fool around
Your baby's going to burn your playhouse down
Your partner will find out and cause chaos
You better keep it on your mind
You need to remember to be faithful
You'll be a-moaning and a-groaning
You'll suffer the consequences and regret your actions
Lord, you better keep it on your mind
You need to remember the gravity of the situation
Now wrong is wrong and right is right
It's important to know the difference between right and wrong
If you make a pig mad he's sure going to bite
If you provoke someone, they'll retaliate
I've had it proven to me
Personal experience has shown me
Every fuss got the same old end
All arguments have the same predictable outcome
I don't believe the good Lord meant for a man to win
Winning or being right isn't always the most important thing
You'll be a-groaning and a-hopping
You'll suffer the consequences of your actions
Now if she gets mad, and tells you goodbye
If your partner gets upset and leaves you
There's not a thing that you can do but sit at home and cry
You'll be helpless and heartbroken
You better call her sweet mamma!
You should try to reconcile and make amends
Lord, you better keep it on your mind
You need to remember the potential consequences of your actions
Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
arctictis
(It's a quarter til 2 on the 23rd of February and this is a Hank Williams song)
Now if you stay out
And start playing around
Your baby's gonna burn your playhouse down
You better keep it on your mind
You better keep it on your mind
You'll be a-moanin' and a-groanin'
Lord, you better keep it on your mind
Now wrong is wrong
And right is right
If you make a pig mad
He's sure gonna bite
You better keep it on your mind
You better keep it on your mind
I've had it proven to me
Lord, you better keep it on your mind
Every fuss got the same old end
I don't believe the good lord
Meant for a man to win
You better keep it on your mind
You better keep it on your mind
You'll be a-groanin' and a-hoppin'
Lord, you better keep it on your mind
Now if she gets mad
And tells you goodbye
There's not a thing that you can do
But sit at home and cry
You better keep it on your mind
You better keep it on your mind
You better call her sweet mamma
Lord, you better keep it on your mind