Taking influences from left right and centre, Placebo to Something For Kate, they developed over time to be the most under appreciated infectious outfit on the Melbourne scene.
Not Tonight
Tiltmeter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Tiltmeter's song "Not Tonight" depict the relationship between an ambitious performer and her audience. The first few lines set the scene for the drama queen of the scene to steal the show, with silk and lace doll face, unaware that the curtain has been drawn. The performer lines up with the other whores against the wall, while the audience is invited to pick and choose when to showcase her talents under the light. She takes her position on the stage and recites her life from the top, knowing that there won't be an intermission. The performance ends with the audience applauding until she tells them to stop. The final lines remind us that we all end up as dust, so we might as well sing it if we must.
The song touches on themes such as ambition and the hyper-exposure of identity through performance. The lyrics highlight how the identity of the performer can often be reduced to the role they play on stage. The implication is that the performer must always be on, never allowing any downtime, and how this life can be a lonely one. The mention of the other whores touching on the idea of the competitive world of performing.
Line by Line Meaning
Gather 'round. Brace yourself.
Prepare yourself as the drama queen of the scene is about to steal the show.
The silk and lace doll face wouldn't know the curtain has been drawn.
The attention-seeking queen is so absorbed in herself that she wouldn't even notice the show has begun.
She's lined against the wall with the other whores.
The queen is surrounded by others like her who seek attention and validation from anyone they can get it from.
Not tonight, you can pick and choose any time until you're under the light.
You don't have to compete with the queen for attention, you can have it any time you want it.
Please take your positions as she recites her life from the top.
Get ready to listen to the queen's self-centered stories about her life, as if she's the only one with problems.
You know there won't be an intermission. Just applaud until she tells you to stop.
The queen won't take a break from her attention-seeking antics, so just keep clapping until she decides she's had enough.
Name on list, stamp on wrist, pushing through for one final encore.
The queen goes to great lengths to make sure she gets the spotlight, even fighting for one last chance to perform.
She's back for more.
The queen can never get enough attention and will always come back for more adoration.
We all end up as dust so sing it if you must.
In the grand scheme of things, we're all going to die, so if the queen's attention-seeking makes you happy, go ahead and participate.
Contributed by Aubrey W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.