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Lyrics
Cicadas and gulls They scrape on the hull The land and the sea They're distant from me I'm in the sky, sky, sky I'm in the sky Thoughts are like pearls And flags are unfurled When we're in the dark I'll ride you back the ark Because you might, might, might Because you might Maps can be posed With you on your own And distance is braille And all that entails I'm in the sky, sky, sky I'm in the sky I'm in the sky Empty as a page As high as a stage As full as a room When we're in the spoon
Song Meaning
"Cicadas and Gulls" serves as a meditation on space, perspective, and emotional distance. Feist crafts an intricate landscape between land and sea, sky and earth, juxtaposing these elements to illustrate states of emotional and physical detachment: "The land and the sea / They're distant from me / I'm in the sky." Feist's lyrics often delve into human emotions through the lens of nature, and here the cicadas and gulls symbolize two contrasting yet interconnected worlds. Cicadas are grounded, linked to the earth and trees, while gulls are often associated with the sea and sky. They "scrape on the hull," signifying a sort of friction or tension that exists in their coexistence, much like conflicting emotions within a person or between two people. "Thoughts are like pearls / And flags are unfurled / When we're in the dark / I'll ride you back the ark" suggests a voyage into uncharted emotional territory. The ark represents a sanctuary amid tumultuous seas of uncertainty or doubt. The line "Maps can be posed / With you on your own / And distance is braille" further delves into the theme of emotional navigation. Distance here is "braille," something to be felt rather than seen, implying that understanding and closeness require a different kind of 'touch' or 'feeling' that goes beyond mere geographical distances. The song ends with images of emptiness and fullness, hinting that even within isolation, there's room for complexity and depth: "Empty as a page / As high as a stage / As full as a room / When we're in the spoon."
About
"Cicadas and Gulls" is a serene and poetic track by the Canadian singer-songwriter Feist. Released as part of her critically acclaimed album "Metals" in 2011, the song stands out for its stripped-down instrumentation and minimalist approach. With its haunting vocals and focus on nature, "Cicadas and Gulls" deviates from the album's generally complex arrangements, offering a peaceful moment of introspection. The song fits well within the album's overarching themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, providing a contemplative space amid an otherwise dynamic set of tracks. It showcases Feist's ability to convey intricate emotions through subtle lyrical themes and thoughtful, sparse melodies.
More songs from Feist
Closing Time
1 credits
Song Info
Release Year
2011
Genres
Acoustic
Folk
Pop
Moods
Relaxed
Sad
Vocals
Female