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Gravity
dresden dolls Lyrics
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Honest to God, officer it's awful
Down at work I'm getting too familiar with the floor
Showing off my talents by the mouthful
Hate to break it to you but its out of my control
Forces go to work while we are sleeping
If I could attack with a more sensible approach
Now, necks are cracking sideways
Hit me from the back side
I am on the white side
You are on the black side
Cut a piece that's bite size
Shoot me from my good side
If you got a straight line
This would be a good time
Gravity works slowly if you notice it at all
Some of us are getting mighty lucky
If you had to live with this you'd rather lie than fall
You think I can't fly well you just watch me
Now, necks are cracking sideways
Hit me from the back side
I am on the thin side
You are on the fat side
Cut a piece that's bite size
Shoot me from my bad side
If you got a straight line
This would be a good time
The sky is always falling down on me
So officer forgive me please
The Dresden Dolls' song "Gravity" addresses the concept of gravity and its uncontrollable force in our lives. The song starts off with the singer expressing their knowledge of gravity and its selective nature, and how it has caused them to fall multiple times at work. They also mention how they've been showing off their abilities during this downfall, possibly referring to their resilience to keep going despite their obstacles. However, they admit that gravity is out of their control and that even in their sleeping state, external forces are at work.
The chorus talks about the physical effects of gravity on the body, especially on the neck and how it can cause damage from any side. They mention the black and white side, thin and fat side, which could possibly be a metaphor for the different facets of society, suggesting that gravity affects everyone regardless of their background. The singer appears to be asking for a way out and possibly a shot at a better life or future, indicating that they perceive gravity as a constant force weighing them down.
An interesting fact about the song is that it is often performed live with an intense drum, piano, and vocals, creating a sense of chaos similar to the uncontrollable force of gravity. The song's composer, Amanda Palmer, said that she wrote the song in a single afternoon, initially meaning it as a piece of cabaret about a clumsy person but eventually making it about how people often feel like they have no control over their lives. The music features a melody taken from another of the band's songs, "Good Day." "Gravity" also introduces the concept of "self-driving pansexual cars," which Palmer later revealed to be a nod to the futuristic anarchism described by Ursula K. Le Guin in The Dispossessed.
Line by Line Meaning
Gravity plays favorites I know it 'cause I saw
I have observed that gravity does not treat all things equally.
Honest to God, officer it's awful
It is something terrible that I am trying to explain to you, Mr. Officer.
Down at work I'm getting too familiar with the floor
I am falling down too often at work and getting comfortable with the floor.
Showing off my talents by the mouthful
I am trying to cover up my embarrassment by being too talkative.
Hate to break it to you but it's out of my control
I am not in control of the situation.
Forces go to work while we are sleeping
Gravity continues to work while we are asleep.
If I could attack with a more sensible approach, Obviously that's what I'd be doing
I would approach this problem in a different way if I could.
Now, necks are cracking sideways
I am struggling so much that my neck is hurting.
Hit me from the back side
Something unexpected hurt me from behind.
I am on the white side, You are on the black side
We are standing on different sides.
Cut a piece that's bite size
Solve this issue in a simple and manageable manner.
Shoot me from my good side
Do something good for me.
If you got a straight line, This would be a good time
Things would go better if you could be direct and honest.
Gravity works slowly if you notice it at all
Gravity's effects are gradual and not always noticeable.
Some of us are getting mighty lucky
Some people get lucky and don't experience as much gravity.
If you had to live with this you'd rather lie than fall
Falling is terrifying and some would rather pretend they can still fly than admit to their failures.
You think I can't fly well you just watch me
I may not be able to fly literally, but I can still make it work somehow.
I am on the thin side, You are on the fat side
We are of different body types.
Shoot me from my bad side
Please don't make things worse for me.
The sky is always falling down on me, So officer forgive me please
I feel as if everything is going wrong around me, please have mercy on me, Mr. Officer.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Ultra Tunes, Songtrust Ave
Written by: JAMES DESMOND EDWARDS, FRANCIS GRIFFITHS, THOMAS SCOTT, DAVID PALMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind