Can’t Keep Checking My Phone
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Lyrics

The opening line is a reference to the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, which is a natural light display in the Earth's sky. The second line seems to talk about the singer's infatuation with someone named Aurora, saying their feelings for her are real but driven by lust rather than love. The following line "Lust the love can't be heard above" suggests that the singer's attraction to Aurora is louder and more overpowering than any genuine feelings of love.

The next line shifts to a broader observation of the world around them, with the singer stating that everyone seems to act like they are constantly drinking, or "day drinking" as it were. This could be a commentary on how society copes with the stresses of daily life, turning to alcohol to help numb their emotions.

The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "I can't keep checking my phone" four times, indicating either boredom, disinterest, or exhaustion from the constant communication through modern technology. The second verse then introduces the idea that the universe might be holographic, which is a theory in physics that suggests that the universe could be a hologram. The following lines seem to talk about the duality of love and how it can be both positive ("my love") and negative ("reverse my love") like a traffic light that both stops and starts.

The overall theme of the lyrics is a juxtaposition between the natural world, represented by the Northern Lights and consuming insects and traditional food, and the modern world, represented by checking phones and engaging with hologram theories. The chorus serves as a commentary on how the constant use of technology can be detrimental to one's mental and emotional health, suggesting that the singer needs a break from the constant communication.