Thermostat
They Might Be Giants Lyrics


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When the hands that operate the motor lose control of the lever
When the mind of its own in the wheel puts two and two together
When the indicator says you're out of oil should you continue driving anyway?
There's a thermostat that regulates the temperature
That might not be reliable
That should be disconnected

Turn it up, turn it down
Turn it up when the cold brings you down
When the heat bothers you turn it down
Turn it up, turn it down

As I was just saying
As I was just saying
As I was just telling you a minute ago

I was just talking and someone interrupted
Or was it a loud explosion?
Or is the thermostat engulfed in flames
Or is it just me?

Turn it up, turn it down
Turn it up when the cold brings you down
When the heat bothers you turn it down
Turn it up, turn it down

As I was just saying
As I was just saying
As I was just saying

Turn it up, turn it down
Turn it up when the cold brings you down
When the heat bothers you turn it down
Turn it up, turn it down





Turn it up, turn it down
Turn it up when the cold brings you down
When the heat bothers you turn it down
Turn it up, turn it down

Overall Meaning

"They Might Be Giants" is an experimental rock band that's known for their quirkiness and whimsical lyrics that often require a bit of interpretation. The song, "Thermostat," is no different. This song seems to be a commentary on human behavior and the need for regulation. In the first verse, the lyrics suggest that sometimes people lose control of their actions, leading to questionable decision-making. However, despite the warning signs, we might continue to operate as usual. The thermostat in this scenario seems to symbolize our moral compass or self-control.


The chorus that repeats the phrase "turn it up, turn it down" several times could be interpreted in a few different ways. One interpretation is that it's a reminder that we always have the power to change our own behavior. We can "turn up" our good qualities and "turn down" traits that aren't serving us well. Another interpretation is that the lyrics are referring to climate control. The thermostat is meant to help regulate the temperature in a room, and this could be applied to our personal lives as well. When things get too hot or too cold emotionally, mentally, or even physically, we should adjust our "thermostat" to find a more comfortable balance.


The verses towards the end also add another layer of interpretation to the song. The lyrics mention someone being interrupted or a loud explosion, and there's a question about whether the thermostat is on fire or if it's just the singer's own reaction to external stimuli. These lines could be interpreted as a commentary on how outside factors can impact our ability to regulate ourselves. It's easy to lose control when we're faced with sudden stressors or unexpected changes in our environment.


Overall, "Thermostat" seems to be a song about the importance of self-control and finding balance in our lives. The repeated chorus highlights that we have the ability to regulate ourselves and make changes when we need to.


Line by Line Meaning

When the hands that operate the motor lose control of the lever
When the people in charge lose control of the situation


When the mind of its own in the wheel puts two and two together
When something unexpected happens and we have to figure out what to do


When the indicator says you're out of oil should you continue driving anyway?
When faced with a warning, should we ignore it and proceed regardless


There's a thermostat that regulates the temperature
There is a mechanism to control and maintain the environment


That might not be reliable
However, that mechanism may not function properly or consistently


That should be disconnected
If it's not working, then it's best to disconnect it


As I was just saying
As I was just repeating what I said before


I was just talking and someone interrupted
I was telling you something but was interrupted by someone or something else


Or was it a loud explosion?
Or was that interruption something unexpected and chaotic


Or is the thermostat engulfed in flames
Or is the environment completely out of control and dangerous


Or is it just me?
Or maybe I'm the one who is not functioning properly


Turn it up, turn it down
Adjust the mechanism to control the environment


Turn it up when the cold brings you down
Increase the temperature when feeling cold and low


When the heat bothers you turn it down
Decrease the temperature when feeling hot and bothered




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FLANSBURGH, JOHN LINNELL, JOHN C. FLANSBURGH, JOHN S. LINNELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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