The principle is that we go through life in a continual straight line and that the trajectory we are on will never change unless something, or someone, hits us.
After years and years of selectively storing data and cruising down the highway of life (and a quick stint with Angle -We'll Pick Up the Pieces Next Time, 2006), Andrew Richards picks up an old battered guitar. Two of the strings were missing, but that’s how that guitar was meant to me, so she would stay that way.
The 4-string guitar is the backbone of Uniform Motion's music. Multiplied, duplicated, interlaced, and dissonant – as if there were different personalities trying to jump out of it. The vocals follow the same pattern - when strummed guitar strings become strings of words, or soft utterances that give substance to a subconscious idea. The beating of African percussion can be heard in the background, emanating from an urban soundscape, evoking a primitive nature, an imaginary journey, a calm floating sensation. The guitars hold this all together.
Oskar
Uniform Motion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you know, our time has been a blast.
Don't pick up, it's too late.
Don't be scared I'll be home soon.
I have a mission for you, the clues are in your arms
I'm sure gonna miss you, the keys are in the jar.
Don't be scared I'll be home soon.
The lyrics to Uniform Motion's song "Oskar" seem to be a message from a lover to their significant other. The opening line, "Don't pick up, the fifth will be the last," suggests that the person on the other end of the phone might be trying to reach the singer, but that they should not answer the call. It is unclear why the fifth call would be the last, but it seems that there is a sense of urgency and finality to this message.
The next line, "I know you know, our time has been a blast," suggests that the singer and their lover have had a good time together, but that it is coming to an end. This is reinforced by the repetition of "Don't pick up, it's too late," which suggests that the singer is either in danger or has already made a decision that cannot be changed.
The last two lines of the song, "I have a mission for you, the clues are in your arms / I'm sure gonna miss you, the keys are in the jar," are somewhat cryptic. It could be that the singer is asking their lover to help them complete a task, and that the clues they need are somehow written on their lover's arms. It is also possible that the singer is leaving their lover behind, and that the keys to something important are in a jar that the lover can access.
Overall, the lyrics to "Oskar" are open to interpretation, but they suggest a sense of urgency, finality, and a task that needs to be completed.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't pick up, the fifth will be the last.
I am warning you not to answer the phone because this call will be the final one.
I know you know, our time has been a blast.
I am aware that you understand our time together has been very enjoyable.
Don't pick up, it's too late.
It's past the time to answer the phone.
Don't be scared I'll be home soon.
I don't want you to worry, as I will be returning home soon.
I have a mission for you, the clues are in your arms
I have a task for you, and the required information is tattooed on your arms.
I'm sure gonna miss you, the keys are in the jar.
I'm going to miss you, but you can find the keys in the jar.
Don't pick up, it's too late.
I am repeating myself, as it's still too late to answer the phone.
Don't be scared I'll be home soon.
I am reassuring you that there's nothing to fear, as I'll be back shortly.
Contributed by Declan T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.