… Read Full Bio ↴The Uncluded is a duo that consists of Aesop Rock and Kimya Dawson.
In 2007, while on tour supporting his album None Shall Pass, indie rapper/producer Aesop Rock wrote a fan email to folk singer/songwriter Kimya Dawson. A few years later, in 2010, they reconnected during the creation of arts-and-oddities blog 900Bats, which in turn sparked the pair's collaborative musical efforts. After appearing on each other's respective recent solo records, Aesop Rock's Skelethon and Kimya Dawson's Thunder Thighs, both found more worth pursuing within the group dynamic, and The Uncluded were hatched.
The group name, The Uncluded, was chosen based on an excerpt from the book Imaginationally by artist/writer Michael Bernard Loggins. Imaginationally is an illustrated dictionary of words Loggins created to describe his daily experiences and thoughts.
Their debut album, Hokey Fright, was recorded over the course of a year using a variety of locations and devices, from voice memo recorders to fleshed out studios. Aesop and Kimya wrote, performed, and recorded the whole album, with the exception of the drums on "Delicate Cycle", which were played by James McNew of Yo La Tengo.
Having both experienced some loss in recent years, conversations about mortality served as a starting point for what would eventually become an album as much about finding therapy through writing/sharing as it is about being ok with admitting fear in the face of adversity. There is a sense of self-exploration and discovery that happens during the songs, as if the two are doing the problem-solving in front of you. While much of the album maintains a serious tone, Dawson and Rock's oddball humor plays an integral part in humanizing the obstacles that can initially seem too massive to process.
The Aquarium
The Uncluded Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just this morning I heard a prehistoric mass
In a river water tank utter "please don't tap the glass, thanks"
Hold a moment, told him,
"As an overgrown oaf in a coat of exposed bone you are not afloat alone"
Chocked up, poking his nose in the moat, cold, we have all known combing
Gross mouths foaming, dough down, particles of a broken code exploding in a chip
Opposite the jellyfish and stars
You were jelly on the colors and regenerating arms
Set to entertain a couple thousand suckers for a charge
And you can not shake the feeling you are being fucking farmed
Great fossil, knowledgeable and docile
Dry land's nice but the slants quite hostile
Here, equal parts passive and aggressive
He said "If that's the case then brother help me flash the message"
Please don't tap on the glass, water augments that tap to a crash
"Here fishy fishy" is a bad forecast
First tap never once double as the last
Today a creature with a body like mine drifted by
Said "please don't tap on the glass, mm hi"
Urban turban muumuu, mama vacationing
Cow of the sea, worlds outside your window stationing
Me at my post do I look inside jealously at you wanting out
Not knowing propellers slice deli meat, meeting of the mind's eye
Through the glass, giving thanks for the sea nobody's a big fish in a small tank
Do you slow motion float through a confined free rise
Or run the risk of getting chopped up to bits outside?
Is there anywhere that you can find a little balance between
Small cell prisoner and motor boat madness?
Does being free mean needing to be open to the sadness
Where gentle giants bitter-sweetly half fill oily chalice?
She says if you figure out how to forge your own way
When your peepers spy the creepers raise their fingers up please say...
Please don't tap on the glass, water augments that tap to a crash
"Here fishy fishy" is a bad forecast
First tap never once double as the last
I float alongside flotsam caked in bad algae
I deep throat choke spirulina collard greens
Land barracuda breed quicker than the water ones
Brand name spawn slaughter estee launder collage funds
Nobody want a lesson in the sleepy lesser species
They want a hot pretzel and a seat at the penguin feeding
Little fingers dodge the slimy cukes here in the touch tank
No one gives us bottom feeders so much as a "yo thanks"
I jump sharks too, not the kind that sink a fang in
The kind that make the people closest to you think you're Satan
So escaping through a cradle of accumulated plankton
To a man without his floating petty frankly sounds amazing
Change my charlie tune can open water entry cod chop
Sic balls, surface dive butterfly, belly flop,
Hooked by a line or by a crabby pot drop
If it gets too heavy trim a little jetsam off the top
Please don't tap on the glass, water augments that tap to a crash
"Here fishy fishy" is a bad forecast
First tap never once double as the last
The Uncluded's "The Aquarium" is a song about the complex relationship between humans and sea creatures that are housed in aquariums. The opening lines describe the singer hearing a prehistoric mass in a river water tank and being reminded not to tap on the glass. The singer then engages in a conversation with the creature, acknowledging the discomfort created by being confined in a small space, but encouraging it to remember that it is not alone. The song goes on to explore the different perspectives of humans and sea creatures who are separated by the glass.
The lyrics delve into the tension between the desire for freedom and safety. The singer reflects on the sea creatures' situation, acknowledging that they may want to escape the tank but may not be prepared for the dangers that await them in the outside world. The song also highlights the uncomfortable reality that many sea creatures are bred and kept in captivity for human entertainment and profit. Ultimately, the song encourages listeners to have empathy for the creatures behind the glass and to resist the urge to tap on the glass or view them simply as objects for our own amusement.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't tap on the glass
Avoid tapping on the aquarium glass since it can result in a loud crash
Just this morning I heard a prehistoric mass
I heard a prehistoric fish in the water tank requesting not to be tapped
In a river water tank utter "please don't tap the glass, thanks"
The fish was in a river water tank and politely requested not to be tapped
Hold a moment, told him,
"As an overgrown oaf in a coat of exposed bone you are not afloat alone"
I tried to comfort the fish by telling him that he is not alone and that he is surrounded by other fish
Chocked up, poking his nose in the moat, cold, we have all known combing
The fish seemed choked up and was exploring the aquarium with his nose in the moat
Gross mouths foaming, dough down, particles of a broken code exploding in a chip
And soda coma, slowly overdosing, rovers
The fish are struggling with their food and seem to be in a food coma due to an excessive amount of given food
Opposite the jellyfish and stars
You were jelly on the colors and regenerating arms
The fish, being housed opposite to jellyfish, envious of their glowing colors and regenerating body parts
Set to entertain a couple thousand suckers for a charge
And you can not shake the feeling you are being fucking farmed
The fish are being held as entertainers and feel like they are being farmed
Great fossil, knowledgeable and docile
Dry land's nice but the slants quite hostile
The fish are knowledgeable and calm, but would prefer living in their natural habitat
Here, equal parts passive and aggressive
He said "If that's the case then brother help me flash the message"
The fish are displaying passive and aggressive behavior, and one fish is asking for help to spread a message
Please don't tap on the glass, water augments that tap to a crash
"Here fishy fishy" is a bad forecast
First tap never once double as the last
Tap on the aquarium glass cautiously since taps can result in a loud crash, and the fish do not enjoy being called by their names repeatedly
Today a creature with a body like mine drifted by
Said "please don't tap on the glass, mm hi"
A sea creature similar to me passed by and requested not to be tapped on the aquarium glass
Urban turban muumuu, mama vacationing
Cow of the sea, worlds outside your window stationing
The sea creature is wearing an urban turban-muumuu and seems to be a tourist observing the world outside the aquarium
Me at my post do I look inside jealously at you wanting out
Not knowing propellers slice deli meat, meeting of the mind's eye
Observing the sea creature, I feel envious of its freedom but forget that the sea can also be dangerous
Through the glass, giving thanks for the sea nobody's a big fish in a small tank
Do you slow motion float through a confined free rise
Or run the risk of getting chopped up to bits outside?
Looking at the sea creatures, I realize how thankful I should be for their sea and for being able to observe such magnificent creatures. However, I still ponder if it's better to live a comfortable life in confinement or take risks by venturing outside
Is there anywhere that you can find a little balance between
Small cell prisoner and motor boat madness?
Is there a way to find a balance between being confined like a prisoner and taking too much risk like a motor boat
Does being free mean needing to be open to the sadness
Where gentle giants bitter-sweetly half fill oily chalice?
Is freedom associated with sadness, where gentle giants like sea creatures half fill their oily chalice with mixed feelings?
She says if you figure out how to forge your own way
When your peepers spy the creepers raise their fingers up please say...
Someone advises to find one's own way with freedom and raise one's fingers if something interesting is spotted
I float alongside flotsam caked in bad algae
I deep throat choke spirulina collard greens
I float along with debris and bad algae, and feel choked up by spirulina collard greens
Land barracuda breed quicker than the water ones
Brand name spawn slaughter estee launder collage funds
Land barracudas breed quicker than the sea ones, while branded fisheries earn a lot of money
Nobody want a lesson in the sleepy lesser species
They want a hot pretzel and a seat at the penguin feeding
People are interested in entertainment rather than learning about lesser-known species
Little fingers dodge the slimy cukes here in the touch tank
No one gives us bottom feeders so much as a "yo thanks"
People might interact with touch tanks but rarely show appreciation for bottom-feeders
I jump sharks too, not the kind that sink a fang in
The kind that make the people closest to you think you're Satan
I take chances like jumping over obstacles but people close to me might judge me negatively
So escaping through a cradle of accumulated plankton
To a man without his floating petty frankly sounds amazing
Escaping towards an accumulated plankton mass without judgment sounds relieving
Change my charlie tune can open water entry cod chop
Sic balls, surface dive butterfly, belly flop,
Hooked by a line or by a crabby pot drop
If it gets too heavy trim a little jetsam off the top
Taking risks like changing behavior can lead to opportunities, but also come with consequences like getting hooked by a fishing line or crab pot. However, trimming down burdens can make it easier to deal with the consequence
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MellieWishes
Please don't tap on the glass
[Aesop Rock]
Just this morning I heard a prehistoric mass
In a river water tank utter
"Please don't tap the glass, thanks."
"Hold a moment." told him
"As an overgrown oaf in a coat of exposed bone you are not afloat alone"
1
Choked up, poking his nose in the moat, cold
"We have all known combing
Gross mouths foaming
Dough down
Particles of broken code
Exploding in a chip and soda coma
Slowly overdosing"
Rovers opposite the jellyfish and stars
"You were jelly on the colors and regenerating arms
Set to entertain a couple thousand suckers for a charge
And you can not shake the feeling you are being fucking farmed
Great fossil, knowledgeable and docile
Dry land's nice but the slants quite hostile --
Here, equal parts passive and aggressive."
He said "If that's the case then brother help me flash the message."
[Hook]
Please don't tap on the glass, water augments that tap to a crash
4
"Here fishy fishy." is a bad forecast
First tap never once double as the last
[Kimya Dawson]
Today a creature with a body like mine drifted by
Said "please dont tap on the glass, mm hi"
Urban turban muumuu, mama vacationing
Cow of the sea, worlds outside your window stationing
Me at my post do I look inside jealously at you wanting out
Not knowing propellers slice deli meat, meeting of the mind's eye
Through the glass, giving thanks for the sea where nobody's a big fish in a small tank
Do you slow motion float through a confined free rise
Or run the risk of getting chopped up to bits outside?
Is there anywhere that you can find a little balance between
Small cell prisoner and motor boat madness?
Does being free mean needing to be open to the sadness
Where gentle giants bitter-sweetly half fill oily chalice?
She says "If you figure out how to, forge your own way."
When your peepers spy the creepers raise their fingers up please say...
[Hook]
[Aesop Rock & Kimya Dawson]
I float alongside flotsam caked in bad algae
I deep throat choke spirulina blended collard greens
Land barracuda breed quicker than the water ones
Brand name spawn slaughter estee launder college funds
Nobody want a lesson in the sleepy lesser species
They want a hot pretzel and a seat at the penguin feeding
[Kimya Dawson]
Little fingers dodge the slimy cukes here in the touch tank
No one gives us bottom feeders so much as a "yo thanks"
[Aesop Rock]
I jump sharks too, not the kind that sink a fang in
The kind that make the people closest to you think you're Satan
So escaping through a cradle of accumulated plankton
To a man without his footing pretty frankly sounds amazing
[Kimya Dawson]
Change my charlie tune can open water entry cod chop
Sic balls, surface dive butterfly, belly flop
Hooked by a line or by a krabby pot drop
If it gets too heavy trim a little jetsam off the top
@poughkeepsieblue
This song is so fucking beautiful.. these two play off each other so well, an this is an amazing match of two beautiful souls.
@theonlybobjoepie
I like how whenever either of them are in the midst of there individual verses, in any song, they both say "hi" together, when ever it comes up.
@Dayglodaydreams
Is your name a Steve Brule show reference?
@arsonistoitx
@Conner Fields it's for his health, ya dingus. <3
@theneedledrop
Nice!!!!
@jollygrapefruit786
How tf has no one seen your comment lol
@wafiy6368
J o l l y G r a p e f r u i t the melon has his ways
@JEMmusic-sn9qm
How the hell has this comment not been swarmed yet lol
@j3stuh869
Give Dunkey a better rating
@dewanmdurnto3592
Hey Melon! Pls don't tap on the glass.