Machu Picchu
The Strokes栀 Lyrics


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I'm putting your patience to the test.
I'm putting your body on the line, for less.
And didn't you know there was a choice?
It's never yours but someone else's voice.

Slippin' your body through the street.
I'm sending your girlfriends to the night, for cheat.
Wearing a jacket made of meat.
Sending a letter made with horse's feet.
And now you've heard that

Waves turn to grey.
Life in the shade.
A violent cloud.
And that's on USA.
Running for the rights,
Sleep into the sky.
I'm just trying' to find
A mountain I can climb.

I'm putting your patience to the test.
I'm putting your body on the line, for less.
And didn't you know there was a choice?
It's never yours and it's someone else's voice.
And now you've seen that

Waltz on the grey.
Life in the shade.
A violent cloud,
And that's on USA.
Born on the rise.
Circlin' the skies.
I'm just tryin' to find.
A mountain I can climb.

Tell us, are you gonna tell us?
Why do we feel so jealous?
Why do we feel so silent?
Why is it always silent?
(I didn't want to ask you baby)
(I didn't want you to suffer)
(And everybody is singing)

Why are you waiting behind the door?

Life turns to dust,
And rain turns to rust.
Gossip is a truth.
? the life we should.
And why do you look surprised?
Ever since I'm in the skies.




I'm just tryin' to find,
A space for you and I.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Machu Picchu" by The Strokes is quite an abstract one with distinct imagery and metaphors, that represent the idea of taking risks and exploring new heights. The song is a message to whoever is listening, to take a chance and push themselves to achieve their dreams. The opening line conveys this message precisely: "I'm putting your patience to the test. I'm putting your body on the line, for less." Here, the singer is quite literally assisting the listener with taking that first step, even though there may be nothing in return.


The second verse takes a more cryptic turn, with the lyrics "Slippin' your body through the street. I'm sending your girlfriends to the night, for cheat. Wearing a jacket made of meat. Sending a letter made with horse's feet." The use of strange, almost grotesque descriptions paints a vivid picture of an unknown situation, leaving the listener to interpret on their own. Furthermore, the chorus shows the importance of struggling through the tough times, allowing for the grey skies to turn back to blue. Overall, "Machu Picchu" is a song that inspires its listeners to chase their dreams, to go for the unknown and always explore, as that is where the mountaintop truly awaits.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm putting your patience to the test.
I am pushing your tolerance to the limit.


I'm putting your body on the line, for less.
I am risking your physical safety for little gain.


And didn't you know there was a choice?
Were you aware that options existed?


It's never yours but someone else's voice.
You are never truly in control; others dictate your choices.


Slippin' your body through the street.
Taking your life in your own hands and living recklessly.


I'm sending your girlfriends to the night, for cheat.
I am encouraging your friends to indulge in infidelity.


Wearing a jacket made of meat.
Wearing something that attracts unwanted attention or harm.


Sending a letter made with horse's feet.
Communicating in a crude or pointless manner.


And now you've heard that
Let me tell you about


Waves turn to grey.
The excitement fades away.


Life in the shade.
Living in obscurity or under oppression.


A violent cloud.
A sense of danger or aggression looming.


And that's on USA.
This is a broader societal issue often attributed solely to America.


Running for the rights,
Advocating for justice and equality.


Sleep into the sky.
Escaping the mundanity of existence.


I'm just trying' to find
I am searching for


A mountain I can climb.
An obstacle to overcome or a goal to achieve.


Waltz on the grey.
Dancing through a mundane or depressing existence.


Born on the rise.
Starting with potential for greatness.


Circlin' the skies.
Remaining in a lofty position or living in luxury.


Tell us, are you gonna tell us?
Are you going to share the truth with us?


Why do we feel so jealous?
What causes us to experience envy?


Why do we feel so silent?
What makes us feel unheard or unable to speak?


Why is it always silent?
Why is there always a lack of communication or response?


(I didn't want to ask you baby)
(I didn't want to risk upsetting you)


(I didn't want you to suffer)
(I didn't want you to endure pain or hardship)


(And everybody is singing)
(And everyone else seems content)


Why are you waiting behind the door?
What are you hiding or keeping from us?


Life turns to dust,
Existence eventually fades away.


And rain turns to rust.
Things that were once beautiful or useful become decrepit.


Gossip is a truth.
Rumors often contain some element of reality or truth.


? the life we should.
Is this really the life that we should be living?


And why do you look surprised?
Why are you caught off guard by this reality?


Ever since I'm in the skies.
Since achieving some level of success or fame.


I'm just tryin' to find,
I am searching for


A space for you and I.
A place where we can exist together peacefully.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULIAN CASABLANCAS, NICK VALENSI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

rrek7

I hiked the 4 day inca trail to Machu Picchu. What an incredible experience. Everyone should do it if afforded the opportunity.

M O

@Henry Reddish tf? Relax

William Wallace

Ive booked it for next year cant wait

G C

I did the same in high school, that hike killed me lol I didnt get to enjoy much of the scenery while i was there until i actually got to machu pichu. I lost like 10 pounds in those 4 days xD it was all worth it though when youre hiking and you start to see the clouds part and see this absolutely mind blowing view of the city. Its something I will never forget.

11 More Replies...

Molly Shannon

Climbed this a month ago. It was the most physically demanding thing I have ever done. It was brutal, intense but very inspiring.

FinnWarrior

Mysteriously built for an unknown purpose, then mysteriously abandoned and lost for 400 years. What an enigma

veronica m

Spanish conquerors were in America at that time. Lost for whom? Native people from there knew the site.

FinnWarrior

@veronica m But no one lived there so I assume people kinda just forgot about it

Playtime with Duggu

They all went to a higher dimension as they were very highly evolved beings

ThePsycoDolphin

MUST BE DA ALLENS DERP

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