Green Typewriters
The Olivia Tremor Control Lyrics


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Million ribbons and floating stars
The night sky fades
Perception is an ocean
Your days are like eternity
Hey, it's been so long
I'm out on the lawn
Watching a hundred typewriters soaked
In green paint
When you wake me up in a world of blue
And the stars are sinking low
And the sunshine is in view
-------
The stillness of a sunday
And life seems like a cathedral
Sidewalks slowly crack
Memories of downtown fade
The stillness of a sunday
The exchange of conversation
We are now confused
But we cannot go back in time
-------
Wake up
Feeling like you want to be down
Well, don't be
There's a time for everything
Just look around
I don't want to die inside anymore
I don't want to hear that song anymore
Wake up
It's what the world should do and look around
Slow down
There's time for everything
Just look around
-------
What i need is space
And lots of it
Tons and tons of rooms
And lots of them
I'll paint them green and red
And thirty six colors to custom mix
A collection of rugs with tons of tiny tassles
Sharp lines decorative designs
A place to harmonize away from conventional life
A place to radiate
A place to be just me
Return again and again to the giant day inside of my head
Tons and tons of ideas that never take off
It causes the untime
It's all on a different level
And there's so many
The stages are set
Everything is ready
Let the future come
Let the future linger on
-------
How much longer can i wait?
-------
When you're ready to come back down
I'll be waiting here




All your friends will be around
I promise i'll wait forever

Overall Meaning

The Olivia Tremor Control's song Green Typewriters is a dreamy, introspective piece that speaks of perception, eternity, and the pursuit of individuality. The opening lyrics of the song paint a picture of a starry night sky and the vastness of perception's ocean. The concept of eternity is introduced, juxtaposed with the notion of time passing by with each new day. The song then shifts to a description of a lone figure watching a group of green-painted typewriters on a lawn, acting as a symbol of uniqueness and individuality.


As the song progresses, it speaks of the stillness of a Sunday and the beauty of life as if it were a cathedral. Memories of the past of the city fade away as new conversations and experiences take their place. The third verse presents a sense of urgency and the need to wake up and take notice of the world around us. The lyrics speak to a desire to escape from conventional life and to find a place of harmony and individuality.


The final verse introduces the idea of ideas that never take off, hinting at impatience with the creative process, yet at the same time conveying a sense of boundless possibility. The song concludes on a note of waiting, suggesting that even in the midst of our individual pursuits, we all need someone to wait for us and friends to share our experiences with.


Line by Line Meaning

Million ribbons and floating stars
The singer observes that stars twinkle above like free-floating ribbons.


The night sky fades
The darkness of the sky disappears.


Perception is an ocean
The singer compares our understanding of things to the vastness of an ocean.


Your days are like eternity
The artist suggests that time feels infinite and monotonous.


Hey, it's been so long
The artist addresses someone, acknowledging that it's been a while since they last spoke or saw each other.


I'm out on the lawn
The singer describes where they are- outside, possibly looking up at the sky.


Watching a hundred typewriters soaked In green paint
The singer observes a group (or many) of typewriters soaked in green paint, possibly all lined up.


When you wake me up in a world of blue And the stars are sinking low And the sunshine is in view
The artist expresses anticipation for a moment when someone wakes them up in a blue environment, with sunset approaching and sunshine on the horizon.


The stillness of a sunday
The artist notes that the present moment feels similar to a peaceful, relaxed Sunday.


And life seems like a cathedral
The artist describes the sense of grandeur or solemnity they feel about life.


Sidewalks slowly crack
The singer observes the destruction of the sidewalks over time, possibly a metaphor for the changes in their own life.


Memories of downtown fade
The artist comments that the memories of the city are also starting to fade away.


The exchange of conversation
The singer refers to a back-and-forth between people during a conversation.


We are now confused
The singer admits to feeling confused or unsure of their situation.


But we cannot go back in time
The singer acknowledges that it's impossible to return to a past situation and change it.


Wake up Feeling like you want to be down Well, don't be
The artist advises someone not to feel down, possibly urging them to be more positive or encouraging them to take action.


There's a time for everything
The artist believes that everything has its appropriate moment or season.


Just look around
The singer invites the listener to observe their surroundings.


I don't want to die inside anymore
The singer expresses a distaste or fear for feeling dead inside (emotionally or otherwise).


I don't want to hear that song anymore
The artist is tired of hearing a particular song.


The stillness of a sunday
The artist refers again to the peaceful feeling of a Sunday.


What i need is space And lots of it Tons and tons of rooms And lots of them
The artist describes their desire for an expansive living situation.


I'll paint them green and red And thirty six colors to custom mix A collection of rugs with tons of tiny tassles Sharp lines decorative designs A place to harmonize away from conventional life A place to radiate A place to be just me Return again and again to the giant day inside of my head
The singer imagines decorating their ideal living space with many personal touches and having the freedom to be themselves and enjoy solitude.


Tons and tons of ideas that never take off It causes the untime It's all on a different level And there's so many
The artist muses on the many ideas and possibilities they have in their head that never come to fruition, and the frustration or confusion that comes with it.


The stages are set Everything is ready Let the future come Let the future linger on
The singer feels prepared and anticipatory for the future, wanting to prolong or savor the moment.


How much longer can i wait?
The singer expresses impatience or anxiety about waiting for something.


When you're ready to come back down I'll be waiting here All your friends will be around I promise i'll wait forever
The singer seems to address someone they care about, promising to be there for them whenever they're ready and to be a supportive presence in their life.




Contributed by Blake L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@McQueen-rj8nh

Million ribbons and floating stars
The night sky fades
Perception is an ocean
Your days are like eternity
Hey, it's been so long
I'm out on the lawn
Watching a hundred typewriters soaked
In green paint
When you wake me up in a world of blue
And the stars are sinking low
And the sunshine is in view
-------
The stillness of a sunday
And life seems like a cathedral
Sidewalks slowly crack
Memories of downtown fade
The stillness of a sunday
The exchange of conversation
We are now confused
But we cannot go back in time
-------
Wake up
Feeling like you want to be down
Well, don't be
There's a time for everything
Just look around
I don't want to die inside anymore
I don't want to hear that song anymore
Wake up
It's what the world should do and look around
Slow down
There's time for everything
Just look around
-------
What i need is space
And lots of it
Tons and tons of rooms
And lots of them
I'll paint them green and red
And thirty six colors to custom mix
A collection of rugs with tons of tiny tassles
Sharp lines decorative designs
A place to harmonize away from conventional life
A place to radiate
A place to be just me
Return again and again to the giant day inside of my head
Tons and tons of ideas that never take off
It causes the untime
It's all on a different level
And there's so many
The stages are set
Everything is ready
Let the future come
Let the future linger on
-------
How much longer can i wait?
-------
When you're ready to come back down
I'll be waiting here
All your friends will be around
I promise i'll wait forever



All comments from YouTube:

@chrismetzler8049

Nobody ever listens to 23 minutes of music at a time anymore. Which is a shame, because this is just wonderful.

@REALwoombath

Untrue, it's much rarer now cause prog rock is not as popular anymore but longer tracks that turn out quite well recieved are still getting released: Cassandra Gemini, Dripping Tap, latest Tool album...

@Big_Bag_of_Pus

​@@REALwoombathListing a bunch of obscurities doesn't really address the point.

@iamdamosuzuki_

How much longer.... can I wait.

@chrismetzler8049

That moment feels like an apotheosis.

@emojazz

@@chrismetzler8049 truly, the whole typewriters section almost feels like a thing of its own

@nneevveerrmmoorree

really good tunage........this stuff has a throwback motif which appeals to some of us 80s era guys.

@alexrubin1941

I'll never understand how E6 was able to pack so many layer into 4 track recordings. Absolute wizardry

@visdrew

Masterful, isn't it? I remember when they were younger Robert, Jeff and Bill would use double cassette boom boxes to fake multitrack recordings. I tried it myself at home it was brilliant. They were outside of their time, that's for sure.

@Z-eb

@@visdrew the whole of "Dusk" were first recorded on a 4 track, then transferred to an 8 track, so they could colour it more, there is a demo version pre the 8 track around, also fun to listen to !

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