John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats and John Vanderslice released Moon Col… Read Full Bio ↴John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats and John Vanderslice released Moon Colony Bloodbath during their "Gone Primitive" tour in 2009. They blend two sophisticated songwriting styles in an exquisite EP that started as a concept album about a organ harvesting colony on the moon.

Steps Columns Pillars
The Mountain Goats & John Vanderslice Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Steps, Pillars, Columns

try to lie,
try to lie still
and just give in
to uncontrollable will

don’t say a word

or look me in the eyes
don’t try to comfort me
I’m unconsolable still

I’m still cruising all night
I’m still cruising all night
I’m still cruising all night
I’m still cruising all night

I saw you in D.C.U.
you’re with somebody new
I know how you are
it’s always a quarter to 2

I’m still cruising all night
I’m still cruising all night

I’m still cruising all night
I’m still cruising all night

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Columns Steps Pillars by The Mountain Goats & John Vanderslice are cryptic and intriguing. In this song, the singer seems to be struggling with intense feelings surrounding an unresolved relationship. He urges himself to try to lie still and give into uncontrollable will, indicating that he is attempting to suppress some strong emotions. He then pleads with the other person not to look him in the eyes or try to console him, suggesting that he is grappling with heartbreak.

The repeated line "I'm still cruising all night" seems to indicate that despite his attempts to stifle his emotions, the singer is still unable to escape them. He then reveals that he has seen the other person with someone new in D.C.U. but notes that it is always a quarter to 2, possibly indicating that he is stuck in a cycle of obsessive thoughts and behavior.

The overall mood of the song is one of desperation and resignation, as the singer is unable to escape the pain of his past relationship. The lyrics are carefully crafted to convey a deeply personal experience of heartbreak and turmoil.

Line by Line Meaning

try to lie,
Attempt to deceive

try to lie still
Try to remain motionless

and just give in
Surrender to the moment

to uncontrollable will
To the power of unmanageable desire

don’t say a word
Remain quiet

or look me in the eyes
Avert your gaze from mine

don’t try to comfort me
Don't try to alleviate my pain

I’m unconsolable still
I remain inconsolable

I’m still cruising all night
I keep moving forward

I saw you in D.C.U.
I caught a glimpse of you in D.C.U.

you’re with somebody new
You've moved on to someone else

I know how you are
I understand your behavior

it’s always a quarter to 2
It's always a difficult time for us

I’m still cruising all night
I'm still pushing forward

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John W Vanderslice

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

tunathellama

I love this song. Honestly, as simple as they are, the tracks with Vanderslice singing really resonated with my soul, as beautiful as Darnielle's songs are as well.