This alternative set of lyrics looks at the meaning (from my perspective) of a song and, by outlining a sentiment (from my perspective), highlights the actual intent (from my perspective).
I wrote this "Lame-ric" (like a limerick and a lyric but then not) for "Island in the Sun," by Weezer. (Island in the Sun music video.) I have had this one song in my head for days and days. I don't know why. Even when I worked on the last lameric I kept thinking about this song. Humming its tune. Sure, it could be taken on its face as a poppy, sweet song about going away on vacation, but I read into it deeper.
I read it to be a song about the danger of escapism. I think every person encounters numerous events in life it would feel good to just avoid and run away from. I know I have. But in the song the protagonist "can't control [his] brain." I took that to mean that time spent "on the island in the sun" leads to loss of self-control. The idea that "we'll never feel bad anymore" sounds extreme and scares me a bit. How does anyone know "good" if they no longer have "bad" for comparison? Chemical means of escape, like drugs and alcohol, dominated our past and now technological means threaten to dominate the future (see Ready Player One; Wall-e). Basically, to me, it seems the song deals with the alluring nature of drugs specifically, but as a whole more generally escapism too. Crazily however, the song does so in a completely palatable way. Here's a possibly less palatable alternative:
Shoul-der
Shoul-der
Shoul-der
Shoul-der
On a break from your hard life
away from all the crazy strife
Some fools gold just for the soul
I could fit into that hole
In the perfect place to be
No more cares and it's all free
It's just so wonderful that
nothing else matters here
Shoul-der
Shoul-der
At the perfect little place
Who cares about a face?
As long as you can stay
Long enough to slip away
It's almost perfect you see
You don't care, it's mostly free
It's all pretty nice
So now just worry less
Just follow me to somewhere
Trust in me that you will not care
A place where you are always good
Shoul-der
Shoul-der
Shoul-der
It's not the same it used to be
It's so far from being free
Now it's such a scary place
it's all I think about
Just follow me to somewhere
Trust me that you will not care
A place where you are always good
Shoul-der
A place where you are always good
So good
A place where you are always good
So good