#lyrics are from ‘i do not want this’ by nin

[primisdempsey]

[unlikelyjapan]

s2e9 rewatch notes (part 1)

Omelette - I'm hoping I can pull through and finish this rewatch in its entirety before I leave on vacation. While the analysis is fun, the actual act of watching the show feels very masochistic vs. last season, which I must have watched a dozen times.

The-not-sexy-sex-scene: It's interesting that the credits start to roll on a black backdrop before we even get the blue-hued (read: frozen) sex scene, and its set to a song that was written about a death/funeral (The Day the World Went Away by NIN).

As a bit of context, Trent Reznor's grandmother (who raised him after his parents flaked out) died right before the release of The Fragile, and this song was thought to be written as a reflection of her funeral. I know they didn't include any lyrics in the scene (that would be too on-the-nose for a director that delights in subterfuge), but in no world is this a happy or lustful track - it's frail, wistful, and entirely about something (someone) that has been lost.

There's some laughter in there, if you squint, but it's mostly intense and needy glances replete with swinging chain for the feral audiences sake. The stark/open "little death" eyes at the end (as Claire is presumably sleeping ) punctuate the scene UNTIL....

.....Sydney is buttoning up her coat (i.e. getting frigging dressed) in the very next beat, frustration in her voice as she notices the stains on her whites (God, is this a sheets parallel?) .

This is hot on the trail of her getting undressed (revealing her 3 of swords tattoo) at the end of s2e7 as Carmy and Claire make out in the split montage, which is the only reason I'm thankful this was released as a binge series this year.

There's not much more to elaborate on here that hasn't been discussed in this brilliant analysis by @belassima- the classic "getting dressed after a sexual encounter" trope turned on its head. We don't see Claire again until friends & family, and this is wholly on purpose. I'm suing Christopher Storer for damages after the series finale.

Syd and her Dad have such an enviable synergy - but you can tell she's over leaning on him as her "person". He's checking in on her stomach (foreshadowing the dumpster scene) and acts as her lone hype man. "I don't know how you do what you do, but I am excited".

Emmanuel - "I never want you to feel like you have to make everything the thing."

a.k.a - "You know, there are other fish in the sea."

Sydney - "Why can't we put everything we have into everything that we can"

a.k.a - "I want to funnel everything into catching this one - this is a borrowed quote from my soulmate business partner."

Emmanuel - "Baby, if that's true, then why put so much pressure on this one?"

a.k.a - "What is the reason/what is so particularly special about this fresh hell you've been subjecting yourself to?"

Sydney - "Because.....I don't know if I could do another one"

Ok - more nuance is required here. According to Syd hivemind, the answers range from "Syd's been burned in a relationship/partnership before", "Syd also has Lupus", or purely "Syd has failed too many times and is scared". We still don't know enough about her past, but I tend to look at this through a strictly fearful/nihilistic prism - she feels like she can't take any more heartache (along with the physical and financial ramifications) from another crash-and-burn endeavor.

But Emmanuel's worried eyes tell a bigger story after she delivers this line, so.....I dunno! I hope S3 covers this understanding gap in a big way.

Strange Currencies playing overhead of the city, taking us to the ally where Carmy is having THE panic attack. I transcribed every image he cycles through while the song plays backwards:

*Sex scene of Carmy staring down expressionless at Claire in bed, Claire leaning down to kiss Carmy.

*An old picture of Claire staring straight ahead, a Sweet 16 birthday picture of her sticking out her tongue in a tiara, one of Carmy's drawing of her with glasses from class. Cut to a flash of Claires face with a wry smile in sepia lighting, followed by another one that is similar but almost taunting. These sepia images get creepier as the panic attack escalates, but also more focused.

*Another drawing of Claire smiling with glasses with Mikey's voice echoing in the background "the motherfucking glasses came off!"

*Another old picture of Claire smiling without glasses, followed by another.

*Mikey and Richie and another "the motherfucking glasses came off!" soundbite.

*Drawing of Claire in glasses again for a brief flash, followed by Carmy and Claires first kiss at The Bear.

*"Carm, this is a good thing" with Stevie, as Carmy crumples to the ground in the ally.

*Claire up-close in sepia sort of half-wistful/half-scruitinizing Carmy

*Donna screaming "fuck you" and Mikey braying at the dinner table, Lee reacting, a dish smashing.

*Sepia Claire turning and smiling to the camera.

*More braying and fuck-you's from Mikey and Lee

*Just Claire's eyes in Sepia-mode, staring across at him with a joker-esque smile as the braying and swearing and fighting continues.

*Donna screaming "are you motherfuckers okay!?"

*The drawings of The Bear in Mikey's hands, him looking up affectionately at Carmy.

*Donna slapping Carmy - Carmy looks up in the ally as if something has slapped him out of it.

Donna and Mikey summon Sydney after this - Mikey with the acknowledgment of his dream (The Bear) and an ounce of brutality from Donna (as in: how dare you care about me, Carmen). These two figures, engines of chaos and trauma, steer him towards Sydney's first words to him.

"Hi, Hello..."

*Strange currencies - "These words* You were the most excellent CDC at the most excellent restaurant in the entire United States of America. What are you doing here I guess?" *you will be mine. You will be mine all the time*

I....I don't understand how the panic attack is ambiguous for people off of this site. I don't understand why it's not noted in reviews and think pieces. I don't understand why otherwise smart people put forth simplistic narratives like "Carmen just needs to make peace with his family" or "he fumbled Claire, his shot at happiness." I just don't understand.

Sydney passing Verdana "Now fool might be my middle name" as she stares down at the sign saying they will be permanently closed May 1st - along with the instrumentals, a clock ticks in the background. A flash of Nilah's face is interspersed, smiling back at her. "But I'd be foolish not to say..."

If this is an ellipse to a "Carmy loves Syd, Syd is fully gay" moment in later seasons, I'll be pretty disappointed since that would be a too-easy way to shut things down.

On first viewing, I took it as "Syd sees herself in Nilah" - she aspires to be her, Nilah gave her forewarning about partnerships that aren't official, Nilah was empowered, optimistic, and in control....and Nilah has not succeeded, highlighting Sydney's anxieties about failure at the same time Carmy is cycling through his own debris.

But the song lyrics are ambiguous, and everything is on purpose, and god damn I hate what fan theories have done to my mind.

Anyone catch that on the F&F menu listed on the whiteboard (as Natalie enters to sit with Carmy) the course of Seven Fishes is followed by the Bolognese? The feast was followed by the meal he prepared for Claire being served at friends and family? Yeah, I did.

The mother father painting - I feel like everyone was riffing on this during the earlier part of the week. The absolution of the mother due to the absent father. Syd being the mother (present) and Carmy being the father (absent). Donna (alive) vs. Mikey (dead). The idea of family haunting the dining room. The idea that this painting in the restaurant supplants what is trying to be built (found family). I suppose the parallels are endless here.

It's also just a truly shitty painting, a gauche reminder of Carmy's absence/inattentiveness.

"What exactly is a ServSafe certificate"?

Carmy was most definitely deflecting, he's a well-venerated chef. There are moments of inconsistency in the show that I let slide (giardiniera a la minute? bitch please) but there had to be a reason for this - his fatigue, his guilt, his inattentiveness reaching a breaking point.

Once he says "I'm fine on mom" Natalie sees it all coming to a head.

Sydney stickering her little Coach K vision board as she arrives for her shift. I just realized she doesn't really start paying attention to the book (a dorky 'go get 'em' gift from her Dad) until Carmy ditches her at Kasama. Coach K exists in the leadership void left by Carmy - it seems so sad to watch her pre-game by bejeweling a picture of a middle-aged man, but that sad pseudo-prayer card is the closest thing she's got to a north star right now.

Also, she's been fixated on and extolling the virtues of Coach K to Carmy all season and is met with....complete incuriosity, I guess? He never prods further, even when he sees her making this dinky thing for her station. It's almost like he knows, on a subconscious level, that this guy is supplanting him as Syd's guide.

But it's also her finding her own voice through advanced mentorship, which is great.

Carmy pointing at those aforementioned stains, Syd undressing in front of him, Carmy making plans to dress her again, them mutually deciding to dress in matching clothes until service. I cannot guys, I cannot.

Carmy getting spit-roasted for his deflection from Nat & Syd ("I know you just missed him *eyeroll*" "Do you have a phone these days?") - I feel like he's so under fire/exposed that he doesn't even recognize of the gravitas of the "I need your focus like you need mine" comment at first.

"What's your relationship with your mom like?" This scene has been discussed to death on here, I don't really have any new insights as it relates to Carmy/Syd and their maternal links or timing. I think the part that hasn't been explored much is Carmy's frustration with Nat which is thinly veiled as concern.

We saw in Fishes that Mikey and Carmy (and Donna) blame Nat for provoking bad behavior with her concern and neediness. Carmy says "she's expecting a miracle" like she's the sole sibling that enabled their mother. By way of Donna's disease and (I presume) unwillingness to seek help, the Berzatto kids really only had two options - enable by pacifying, or GTFO.

Mikey could be as atrocious as Donna. Donna is atrocious. Carmy played soothe-sayer and then left at 18. Natalie tries to cultivate some sense of family - the same family Carmy pays homage to via his restaurant, his menu, his girlfriend, Richie, his endless self-flagellation - but is resented for her own wayward attempts, even though they're very explicit expressions of love (sometimes) and longing (always). There's some really gnarly projection happening there that I expect will rear its head more in S3 between the two of them.

Cue Carmy being a douche to New Noise (although I love that little moment where he cock-blocks Connor, the new chef, and Tina smiles to herself a little).

Tina's been working tirelessly alongside Sydney and asks "Carmen, do you even have a phone?" as Syd tells him the contractor for the shelving called him eleventy-thousand times. There is a lot of emasculation happening on his own restaurant floor (formerly The Beef, the temple of gross masculinity) between the trifecta of Syd/Nat/Tina this episode, and it's only ratcheting up the defensiveness - his excuses and deflections fall flat, but he's not listening or learning yet.

Marcus' dessert check, (with Syd and Carmen looking like a panel of matchy-matchy top chef judges on the other side of the table):

Sydney is looking at Carmy with affection as Marcus receives a package from Denmark (whereas Carmen doesn't even react) - it's the second time she's looked at him like that in the conversation (the first being "workshopping the name") but it's been a long while since she's projected admiration his way. She sees how much he's done for Marcus in cultivating the whole customized Copenhagen experience for him, she sees his service, she sees her values humbly and quietly executed by him.

The Michael 😭 followed by the silence and "You can throw down, huh?" - what a perfect moment of TV.

I'm pausing here for tonight before my grammar falls apart (if it hasn't already), I'll unpack the rest tomorrow.

[shadamyheadcanons]

What songs do you think that fits Amy and Shadow?

My knowledge about Shadow is only a few so I'm not sure about him

For Amy, it will be Happy Synthesizer and Ikanaide/Don't Go and various bubbly and lively songs

Combining these two for convenience.

First one - I’m glad you asked!

Love your ideas, especially Ikanaide. It sounds pretty upbeat at first, but then you pay attention to the lyrics, and...ouch. Feeling left behind and trying to pretend she’s okay with it? Yeah. That’s Amy. Here’s a link I found for an English version.

And here’s one for Happy Synthesizer.

As for which songs I associate with them, my Song & Dance tag covers the topic pretty well, especially this post.

Given how often I think about these two, though, I’m always finding more examples. There’s one song that I feel fits Amy better than any other. I wrote a headcanon about it on January 7th, 2022. I correctly predicted in that headcanon that a bunch of Amy-related stuff would happen that year--right down to her getting a new theme song, even!

I still think my song idea works better than the one in the Frontiers DLC, though. That one feels kind of bland to me. Yeah, she trusts her cards, but she’s supposed to be a go-getter! She reads the cards and then blazes her own destiny using them as a guide. Her mild Frontiers theme gives off the vibe of someone who’s letting fate happen to them, not the other way around. Amy is kind, but she’s not passive.

Laineybug04 correctly pointed out in this post that “House of Gold” by Atreyu fits Shadamy quite well, and I included “Wait for You” in In a Pinch, but it doesn’t stop there. The more I listen to Atreyu, the more I hear Shadamy, and I’m glad you gave me an excuse to point it out! “House of Gold,” “Wait for You,” “Terrified,” “Super Hero”...and “I Would Kill/Lie/Die for You” is pretty much spot-on for Shadow’s brand of dedication. It’s more romantic than the title makes it sound, haha.

They’re not all necessarily romantic in nature, but it’s very easy to imagine Shadow singing them about Amy.

I want to call special attention to “Stronger Than Me,” though.

The speaker starts by showing insecurity.

Yup.

He fears opening up and showing his entire self because he thinks others will be scared by what they see.

Yup.

He admits connecting with him might be complicated sometimes, but he remains steadfast because the relationship is important to him.

And, uh...this is from the chorus:

“When I was lost, You were always there, my guiding light, You are my ward, my compass ROSE, my lighthouse in the night”

Do I even need to explain? She’s one comma away from being name-dropped. The song’s title fits perfectly, too. It takes a lot of strength to always look for the best in people and put your faith in the goodness of others. It’s so easy to give up. Shadow would legitimately admire her for it. She deserves to know how special she is for that, and who better to tell her than someone whose entire life was changed by that strength and kindness?

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the song and lyrics. Trust me, you’ll need the lyrics sheet.

Second ask:

Yes, absolutely! I think of him as liking modern rock and metal, and also jazz because it would’ve been all the rage when he was made. I’ve mentioned this before, but if I had to pick one band to be his favorite, I’d say Nine Inch Nails. It’s heavy, intense, angsty, and complex, and it has some of the same electronic, bass-centered vibes as Shadow’s earlier themes. Compare NIN songs like Discipline and The Perfect Drug with Rhythm and Balance (White Jungle’s theme) and Shadow’s original character theme, Throw it all Away, both by Everett Bradley. Trent Reznor also has a deep voice like Shadow and Bradley do. NIN could do a mean cover of Throw it all Away, now that I think about it...

I don’t think it’s the best idea for canon, even the questionably-canon Twitter Takeover, to cite real people/artists. It’s fine for fans like us to do it, but the official franchise is different. Humans are flawed and complicated. When you start including real people, you could potentially do something awkward like, say...connect your series built on environmentalism with someone who uses a private jet.

Y’know. Hypothetically.

That’s why I love what the social media team did with Hot Honey in The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. A fictional band doesn’t carry that risk, and they’re seamless within the Sonic universe. Fans like us can’t get caught on whether or not Shadow would enjoy their music because none of us can actually hear them.

Funnily enough, your ask aligns perfectly with what makes Hot Honey so cute for these two. Shadow canonically doesn’t like Hot Honey at all:

No questions asked, no headcanons needed.

The reason he agreed to go was entirely, 100% because Amy asked him to. I think that’s far sweeter than the Taylor Swift thing. And I’ll be able to prove that when I finish writing Sweeter Than Honey. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about it!

No offense to anyone who does enjoy Taylor Swift’s music, of course. Different strokes for different folks. :)

[milfweirdal]

2, 6, 10 and 13 for the music ask

HI WONKYYY

2. what is your go-to karaoke song?

I have a few! I like to rotate between tainted love by soft cell, ironic by alanis morisette and kiss from a rose by seal. The more dramatic the better. They are hard songs but it's not because I can nail them, it's because they're incredibly fun to sing and do dramatic dance moves to (I am perplexingly blessed with an almost total lack of stage fright despite big social anxiety in other social situations?) and I think of it like this - If being good at singing was a requirement for karaoke the industry would collapse.

Fun fact I intend to add it's my life by talk talk to this roster.

6. is there/what is a song that you secretly love but you hate to admit it? 

I don't know tbh! I try not to do the guilty pleasure thing, I'll admit to anything I listen to. I had a brief tswizzle shake it off phase (which is notable because I really don't like her voice or lyrics, but I do very much like songs with bombastic pop horns) until I discovered the mashup on YouTube of it with the vocals from NIN's the perfect drug and was like. This is it. The songs true final form. 

10. what band were you obsessed with as a child? do you still like them? 

I'm told, and vaguely remember, that I was a 3-year-old Spice Girls superfan. I wanted to be their sixth member. i still bop to their songs when I hear them on the radio.

13. what's an album cover that you would frame and put up in your house?

I bought a copy of the cures lovesong 7" single (its b-side is my fav cure song) for this precise purpose, can't wait til I've got my own place and I can put it on the wall ☀️

[daniel-profeta]

top 10 songs of all time?

Changes everyday, but in no particular order some of my more consistent favorites are:

The front bottoms - Twin Sized Mattress

Car Seat headrest - Kimochi Warui *so many options here, but to pick one from this band...*

Tool - Lateralus

The Mountain Goats - Best Ever Death Metal Band Out of Denton

Phoebe Bridgers - I Know the End

Elliott Smith - King's Crossing

AJJ - People II The Reckoning

At this point I started to think harder about the songs that have meant the most to me throughout my life and as I've gotten older. For example, I like a lot of Bright Eyes songs more than First day, but that song has had way more impact on me. I play it all the time, the lyrics are permanently imprinted in my mind, and to me it's one of the most beautiful and vulnerable love songs ever written. With that in mind more and more "important" songs started coming to mind.

8. Alex G - Forever 9. Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life 10. Johnny Hobo - New Mexico Song

Now I have ten, that was easy.

Except...

I remembered that one Demarco song that makes me cry everytime I hear it. Got to include that. How many times have I listened to the Glow pt 2 during the summer? How could I leave off something from Porcupine Tree, the band that I once considered my favorite band of all time? So I kept going, through names and bands that I collect like emotional trophies, not wanting to leave anything out. They all mean so much, it's honestly pathetic. I used to hyperfixate on things like Zelda and Star Wars, then I found this shit and my brain chemistry has been altered ever since.

11. Mac Demarco - Moonlight on the River 12. Mitski - Texas Reznikoff 13. The Microphones - I Want the Wind to Blow 14. Pigeon Pit - Nights like These 15. Radiohead - Exit Music 16. The Crane Wives - Never Love an Anchor

Funny how quickly a song can feel like home. That Crane Wives song technically shouldn't even be here, I only heard it for the first time a few weeks ago. Yet maybe listening to it 30 times since qualifies it for consideration. Phoebe Bridgers has a lyric in one of her songs about wishing she had written something instead of the original artist, but she can't cause they said it first. So instead she'll learn their song and sing until the feverish inspired feeling fades away in a voyeuristic catharsis.

I think about that line constantly. Also quickly want to mention here that I'm more of an album guy. I try to listen to full records to try an experience the full piece of art the creator made. So while no song off The Downward Spiral is on my list of favorite songs, that was and is one of the most impactful albums to me as a teenager.

17. Porcupine Tree - Arriving Somewhere but not Here 18. XTC - Dear God 19. Wilco _ I am trying to break your heart 20. NIN - Burn 21. Lucy Dacus - Night Shift 22. Haley Heynderickx - Oom Sha La La 23. Swans - New Mind

Swans was hard, because there were a few songs that meant a lot to me. But ultimately there wasn't one more visceral or frankly more evil sounding than New Mind. Love the themes, love the singing style, love the backing yells, love the industrial outro, love the faint organ, love everything about that damn song.

The list kept getting longer, and for each song I was writing a paragraph to explain my choice lol. After the first like 15 I decided to stop doing that for the sake of your eyes and for risk of sounding redundant. But a major thing I love about some of these songs are how inspirational they are. Twin Sized Mattress, Denton Metal Band, Story of an Artist, they all paint a picture of the type of person I want to be. The type of art I will always support. The thing I hope to one day inspire in other people.

When you punish a person for dreaming their dream don't expect them to thank or forgive you. The best ever death metal band out of Denton, will in time both outpace and outlive you.

Those words could honestly save someone's life, it's crazy.

24. A Perfect Circle - Three Libras 25. Deftones - Rosemary 26. Frank Ocean - Ivy 27. November Suite - The Tower 28. Daniel Johnston - Story of an Artist 29. Sloppy Jane - Jesus and Your Living Room Floor 30. Big Thief - Not 31. Tyler the Creator - Boredom 32. Duster - The Landing 33. The Velvet Underground - Sunday Morning 34. The Voidz - Human Sadness 35 - 108. System of a Down - (every song) 109. Death Grips - Beware

Okay, threw these and now dozens more names are crowding my brain, and this incredibly pretentious post must come to an end. Long story short, I only have one song left to share, but each of these song has a very personal connection to me. Certain ones (like that tool song) actually changed the way I look at the world and helped me through dark periods of my life.

Many of them inspire me, some of them are just beautiful in a broken and real sorta way, and all of them feel human. The art represents something bigger than itself and the ambition knows no bounds. These songs changed my world for the better, and if you read this you are now obligated to listen to all of them.

I could ramble about music till the end of time:)

finally 110. 100 Gecs - Money Machine

[thedarkcoven]

MIGUEL O'HARA THOT 2

MINORS GET THE FUCK OUT!!! Sorry not sorry! Based on some of the lyrics of a classic slutty song lol. Smut. A tease? You want more? Just lemme know if you want me to continue! Miguel is a family friend. Reader in 20s Miguel 30s/40s. Reader is 5'something and Miguel is 6'9" (apparently) , Modern day and Miguel is still SpiderMan -also inspired by Closer by NIN, cover by Asking Alexandria. If you dont like screamo/heavy metal dont click the link because there is some in the song [not gonna be the last time I use this song for writing *looks at A Trip Through the Multiverse*]

You were staying at your parents' place for a while until you were able to get back on your feet after university. Even though you told them no over and over and that it was okay because you didn't want to feel like a burden they insisted and helped you move things into your old room of your family home.

A scoff left your mouth as your parents told you that they would be throwing a barbeque and everyone they knew was invited. Yay. You hated large crowds especially ones that asked way too many questions about your personal life.

Once you slowly made your way downstairs to the commotion you noticed someone towering over the crowd. He was tall, tan, black messy curls, and he looked like a fucking absolute giant. When he turned his head slightly to say something to your mother your jaw dropped. "Miguel?!" Miguel turned and a smile spread on his face as his red eyes landed on yours. "Y/N! Hey! It's been so long! I haven't seen you since well... God you were so small! How have you been?" He asked picking you up as if you were nothing, his strong arms wrapping around you. His musky scent filled your nostrils and made your mind go crazy as you swore you could feel something hard pressing against you when he squeezed you close and then he whispered into your ear, making you shiver. "Can I speak with you... alone? Give me about twenty minutes. Go to your room and wait." You couldnt speak when he put you down. All you could do was stand there.

When you turned to go to your room your parents had asked if you were feeling okay and your response was yes just wanted to wait until everyone gathered outside due to your anxiety. The sound of your door clicking closed behind you made you turn from your window, your body shaking slightly as you sat on your plush. "My how much you've changed." When he spoke you could swear you saw sharp canines, his red eyes darkening as he came closer, towering over you as he stood in front of you. His erection straining against his pants right in front of your face, twitching as he smirked down at you. You swallowed, a whine escaping your pathetic little mouth as he leaned forward, his face inches from yours. A growl vibrated in his chest as he stared at you with hooded eyes, a large hand coming up he gripped a fist full of your hair, pulling your head back slowly. He was pressing you against him slightly a sadistic smirk on his face as his tongue ran along one of his sharp fangs. "God I'm going to have so much fun breaking you. Want me to break you?" He chuckled, already knowing the answer. "Yes." You breathed out. "Oh I know. I can smell just how fucking turned on you are for me. The sight of my cock twitching in my pants driving you fuckin wild, huh?" He stood straight, his fist still holding your hair as he brought your face against the course material of his jeans, rutting his erection against the soft plush of your cheek, precum soaking through slightly as he threw his head back with a groan. "Miggy." You whined, your throat becoming throat yet you salivated at the thought of his thick veiny cock buried deep down your throat. "Mmmm. Thats it baby. I love it when you say my name with that pathetic little whimper. So fucking desprate for me. Now beg." I LOVE YOU GUYS!! SORRY I HAD TO TEASE!!! @charmed-asylum @melodygatesauthor @moonknightly @pimosworld @abbessolute

[tessa-quayle]

FanFiction Recommendations

before I disclose my favorite Pedro Pascal character-related fan fiction here, a few caveats and disclosed biases: I’m a woman of a certain age.  I was your average English lit major.  I’m the dork who - upon listening to Jewel’s debut album and hearing the lyric “you can be Henry Miller and I’ll be Anais Nin” in the mid 1990s  - legit hauled my ass to the local public library and looked up Anais Nin - using the Dewey Decimal system - to read her elevated smut.  Right now I’m a content but exhausted, ragey American woman in a mid-life crisis.  I hate bullshit, I have an ok attention span, I scroll/read after the family’s gone to bed.  

if you look at my semi-neglected Tumblr page, you’ll see I’m relatively new to the Pedro fandom.  What a privilege to dive into really superb writing.  This is clearly not an exhaustive list and reflects my tastes (and to each her/his/their own)!  But if you’re an exhausted parent in a mid-life crisis and have no time, this may be for you! 

in no particular order...

@fuckyeahdindjarin - masterlist - Cee describes herself as a writer who pens romantic comedies - and she does a stellar job with them - but she sells herself short and fails to mention the sex scenes she writes are hot.  especially love the consent series (dieter bravo), the grays 2-part series (frankie morales), and of course, the ongoing joel miller/pin series.  a delightful mix of angst, sweetness, spice.  and a thoughtful writer with an inclusive mindset. 

@absurdthirst - masterlist - if you told me Keri has a few stories published in several “best of erotica” anthologies, I’d believe you.  good smut is fucking hard to write.  this is great smut.  this is smut you read and then take a cold shower afterwards or do whatever it is you like to do to get yourself off.  it’s smut that even as a non-smoker and knowing all the terrible health risks you may think goddamn I need a cigarette.  I'm partial to a few Javier Pena and Agent Whiskey pieces, but you’d be satisfied reading any of her stories.

@something-tofightfor - masterlist - Rachael should give a master class on how to write the best slow burn.  Her Joel Miller stories stand out for several reasons including - 1) she thoughtfully incorporates elements of the original canon/game into her fanfic which is uncommon in the PP fandom (from what I’ve seen/read at least), 2) every Joel story/chapter is compelling and well imagined.  Her current series on Tim Rockford has me on the edge of my seat and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.  And judging from the titles of her stories, we have similar music tastes (ha!). 

@disgruntledspacedad - this writer hasn’t updated in several months, but their Javier Pena multi-chapter fic (and folks, there are MANY out there) called Better Love is the one that kept me going and going and wanting to read more (see mention of short attention span in a tired mama above).  being in the healthcare field, I also arch my eyebrows out of curiosity when someone weaves medical stuff into their writing and wonder what line of work they do.  (yes I'm a terribly biased nerd, I’m a sucker for when someone puts a f!physician reader into their PP-character related drabble).

@jomiddlemarch - she is a great friend and a gifted, amazing writer who always makes me wonder “how does she do this and how does she do this so well and so quickly while the rest of us plebes are just getting through our day.”  she writes for MULTIPLE fandoms (and judging from the notes on her posts, I think her readership is more into those than Pedro and the Last of Us but it’s ok!), and started writing Joel Miller and an OFC (she created!) named Grace Yang (NOT ME - but maybe there’s a chance she created this OFC to shut me up since I’ve been rambling on and on about how besotted I am with Pedro 😂).  If you’re into OFCs, read her stuff.  Check out the (ongoing) entire series on her AO3 here.  Here’s one story that you can find on her Tumblr.  Two of the five stories are Ted Lasso crossovers - all her stories are written so richly and so layered - she’s the star in your writing workshop who’s showing and not telling - I’m still thinking about how there’s so much to unpack in the latest one. :) 

[acutiewithagun]

Taglist: @oleander-nin @itsyagurlchip @radicallxser

Trigger warning: paranoia

Word count: 1,030

Mic testing- Chapter Five: A Unsettling Interaction

It was a chilly winter day, nothing special or worth really thinking about. At least that was you thought as you performed to the non-existent crowd. You had just wrapped up a song and decided to pack up and head home.

But as you were putting the guitar away in its case, someone walked up behind you. Whipping your head around quickly you came face to face with a person standing over your crouched form, bundled up in a thick purple winter coat.

They extended a black gloved, three digit hand. You looked at their scarf-covered face and hesitantly took their hand. It's not every day a very covered stranger comes up to you out of the blue. They pulled you up as you lurched forward slightly. "Ack, apologies, I didn't mean to trip you! Are you ok!?"

They started frantically checking you for injuries, despite the fact you were just pulled up. "Fine… so what did you want..?" They paused their worried pursuit and cleared their throat dramatically. "Ah yes, I am Othello Von Ryan. I quite like the sound of your voice and was wondering if you could do one song request."

You rubbed the back of your neck and looked down at your now packed gear. "Sorry, er Von Ryan? I just packed up everything and was just about to head out…" You bent down to grab your stuff before they swiftly gripped your arm.

"Ah um, could I just hear it acapella? I promise it's not long, please." Their voice sounded a bit nervous as you sighed and relented. "Alright, one song, so what is it?" They seemed to be beaming and quickly pulled out a type of phone you've never seen before. "Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me. I have the lyrics here." They turned the phone over to you and tapped their booted feet excitedly.

You gave them an awkward smile and sang them their song. They thanked you quickly, giving you a pretty nice amount of money, and left swiftly afterwards. It was as if they didn't really exist. They appeared and disappeared without a trace. Just an odd name and request.

You gave a nervous laugh as the air now feels heavy, coming back from the flashback. "I'm sorry?" A smile was plastered on your face as you tried to examine the question presented. "Has anything odd happened during your street performing? I've heard some horror stories from other street performers and was curious if you had any of your own." The room had a cold air to it, something about that question just irked you in the wrong way.

"Not any interesting ones that I can recall, I've been extremely fortunate." You gave him a smile as you shifted in your seat, looking over at Sabrina. The yokai looked completely uncomfortable with the situation as well.

Mike pressed for a more entertaining answer. "Well it still sounds like you have a few stories. And we have about…" He trailed off and looked back at Sabrina as she, in discomfort, held up her hands twice. "...Twenty minutes left to talk."

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat and took in a deep breath. "Look, I'm happy to tell stories of my time in the entertainment industry. However that isn't what you are asking for. So I am uncomfortable with answering your questions." Mike just smiled as he tapped the table with his finger impatiently. "I'm just asking an innocent question, nothing malicious. You're talented and I have no doubt you have interesting stories." He paused with a slight frown before smiling ominously. "How about you tell us a few stories about the people you've met? Maybe some nice people you've encountered?"

Sabrina frowned and shook her head as she gazed at the clock. You hesitate before tapping your hand under the table with a sigh. "Yes, I've met plenty of kind people and they have helped me a lot." As the clock ticked you glanced over at the mutant woman who was just itching to press a button. Which you assumed to be the music that would be played after you left.

Suddenly a phone rings and Mike answers it. Sabrina takes the opportunity to press the button and usher you out of the room. As the door shut behind her, she turned to you with a sigh. "Sorry about him, he'll do anything for an interesting interview. You should go home, I'll explain it as an emergency." You gratefully smile at her and wave as you rush down the hall.

But looking back you see a smirk on her face as she entered the radio room again. It sent chills down your spine you thought Mike had given you. You just turn away as the door shuts behind Sabrina and quickly leave the building. Obviously waving to the receptionist before you rush out the door.

The walk home was bone chilling and filled with paranoia. Nothing was really concerning or threatening. However the way the two were clearly hiding their true intentions was something that made you flinch at every shadow and noise. Corners made you walk wide to look around them. Car lights and horns made you look around frantically. And odd sounds made you speed up your rushing.

You are about to throw up as you shakingly open your apartment door and rush into your room. Where you are greeted by your squeaking spider that caused you quite the hassle that morning. You flop face first onto your bed as Melvet climbs onto the top of your head. You struggle to push your shoes off with your feet as you adjust your laying position to look at your wall.

"Hi buddy, I'm just gonna parish here for a bit. I'm definitely not going to do that again." The white yokai chirped and rubbed itself on top of your head. You still had goosebumps and an itching feeling of unease as you smiled slightly at the small creature. You were just doing your best to ignore the strange sounds coming from your window, assuming it to be paranoia and just the city outside.

[volivolition]

hi hi!! back again with more music!

First off is Ringfinger by Nine Inch Nails! This song's had Dark in a fuckin chokehold the past few days ajahdhdjsdjdjsjd the lyrics REALLY like,, put the love and devotion (and. obsession.) she feels for people into perspective, he feels! Growing up we never really cared much for this song but something about it just clicked one night and now it's one of our most played songs this past week DHDJSJSIDJZ

Next up is a softer NIN track, Lights In The Sky! I wasn't around for this but I have memories of this song helping us with a really bad break-up,, despite the lyrics hinting towards this song being about drugs apparently JFHDJSFJ. The way this one is played is super pretty, definitely gives off space vibes, and it's one of our go-to songs for helping put us to sleep!

Nine Inch Nails contains multitudes™ when it comes to music tbh they can do it all but I think you'd really enjoy their more quieter songs! We just. also really wanted to show you Ringfinger because it's a favourite right now LMAO

That's all from us for now!! Hope you have a good day, life, all of that! <2 -Actor

hi hi!!! YAY hello actor, music time! :D <222

RINGFINGER!! THAT'S YALL!!! HGKJH i listened to this one when yall changed your url, but i'm happy to listen to it again!! :D this is the one that yall like the demo of too, i think?

i love the alternating synth bits between the two audio tracks hkjhg it has a very cool, mysterious feel to it :3 nods nods the love/devotion/obsession, i understand!! the lyrics have a loyalty that bleeds into self-sacrifice :0 <22 the part that yall use for your blog layout!! "I get everything I want / When I get part of you" :'] <33 oooh the turntable scratching ending bit before the guitar-ish glitch out is so funky and fun hkjgh

the demo has much more screeching hkjh its interesting how the drumbeat and vocals are just a touch more subdued than the other version :0 OOH i love getting to see first draft vs finale type things, it's cool hearing what bits were kept and what was changed, alternate lyrics!! :] OH HELL YEAH, thats the lyric yall used for your profile pic piece!! :3 both of these versions are very cool, im glad they clicked for yall!! :DD <33

Lights In The Sky! piano time!! ooh, for real, this is a good sleepy time song, the singer sang so intensely and gruff for most of Ringfinger and he sings so hushed and peacefully here, the duality of man hkgjh <33 "The lights in the sky are waving goodbye / And I am staying right beside you" awah :'] very fond of this, it's lovely that it's helped yall in the past <33 <22

thank you for these!! :D!! hehee i also hope yall have a nice day/life/everything forever and always hkjhg yall deserve the world <222

[greenlikethesea]

thank you, as always, to @bienmoreau for the album art -- i feel like you’re part of the shotguns band fold at this point with how often i’ve used your beautiful renderings for my projects.

i wanted to challenge myself to write a sexy song that has been discussed in canon but is never lyrically or musically discussed. this song is mentioned quite a bit in the most remarkable thing, and other b-sides and rarities as the sex song, and i felt frankly intimidated approaching it, especially since the incredible @greatunironic said she envisioned a NIN sound for it. i’m no trent reznor, but think of this as johnny cash’s cover of hurt. :P

to me, when it comes to writing about sex in songs, the scintillating comes from suggestion and delivery. it’s not sexy to talk about the act in song, but it’s incredibly sexy to talk around the act (the lead-up, sensory details, the emotion, the cool down). it’s not in the plain statement of the words, but how to say them -- is it perfunctory or with passion? that’s what i tried to do here with my songwriting and delivery. i hope you enjoy. <3

lyrics under the cut:

A weary traveler I’m pounding on your door Beggin’ you for shelter from the storm Curl myself up by your fire And what transpires leaves me wanting more, so much more, give me more

I’ll live and die in the space between A home for me in your body A place to keep warm

I watch you undress Oh honey, you’re a mess Let me in, I’ll alleviate that stress See out my days in your uncharted seas Come apart for me and only me, ah, ah, ah

I’ll live and die in the space between A home for me in your body A space to keep warm No longer contained to dreams Your skin, your shape, a reality Open up for me, keep me warm

I’m well acquainted with your needs Our mouths are tangled, who needs to breathe You choke on air, a silent scream I want to hear you, baby

I want to live in the space between A home for me in your body A place to keep warm No longer contained to dreams Your skin, your shape, it’s reality Open up for me, keep me warm, keep me warm

[dykeferatu]

Hi, River! :)

What's your favourite NIN song(s) my dude? (If I may call you my dude.)

hello! god this is like asking me to choose a favorite child except i think that would be easier. if i was a parent. it's hard to chose only a few faves but it will TRY to keep this limited... (note from future river: i failed)

fuck this is actually so difficult... ok i have to get closer out of the way

obviously..... predictable choice but it's a hit for a reason ok!! it was my top song on spotify last year and i literally only started listening to nin in october. so good... i saw u respond to my post about track transitions and the transition from closer into ruiner makes me go crazyyyyyyy. i love ruiner as well but again. trying to keep it limited..

ok nearly every song on tds is a favorite so i'm just going to highlight a few more and then i'll give other releases a chance 😭

reptileee.. UGHHH. yeah this one just does something to me. the machinery sounds. yum. that guitar bit that lines up with that one machine sample that's playing throughout (3:43 if u don't know wtf i'm talking abt)... and i like the muffled yelling in the outro

there are songs on tds i guess i technically like listening to more but there's something about this one that makes it special to me. it's comforting somehow! the intro is meditative, and the meat of the song is cathartic. i like how we get the same muffled effect as on reptile, but here even the instrumentals are muffled

BURN!! one of my first favs. so good and aggressive. grraaahhhh

ok gonna try to limit myself to one song per release from here on out bc i really do love so many.....

so fun and funky. the nursery rhyme lyrics are a little silly but i love it. also love the part where he just screams

so many good things abt this one... the first things that made my ears perk up were the synths on the chorus

there's just a weight to the sound of this one that i'm obsessed with atm. also, the crunch is real good

ok already breaking my promise but the fragile has so many songs and i haaave to highlight please. underrated as hell!!! hearing that chorus for the first time changed my brain chemistry (<- could say this about a lot of nin stuff lmao)

breaking my promise AGAIN because LA MER...... such a beautiful song. does things to me. has made me cry. whatever........

gotta love only. the beat. the rambling verses. the chorus. the reference to down in it. fun!

i ran out of embeds but THAT WON'T STOP ME...

Me, I'm Not - i woke up with this song stuck in my head once and then i listened to year zero and finally Got It

Discipline - just a banger

Various Methods of Escape - hesitation marks is CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED

The Background World - i do kinda with there was a version with a shorter outro bc i looove this one but it's hard to put on playlists. great way to end the ep tho

God Break Down the Door - PLAY THAT SAX TRENT!! i also love his voice in this one

OK i'm done. i agonized over this and i still wanted to include more 😭😭 tysm for asking and thanks to anyone who got to the end of this post <3 ily

[bite-the-bloody-hand]

6 SONG SOUNDTRACK

PART 2 - INTERNATIONAL POST-PUNK/GOTHROCK

If part 1 was the glitter-soaked psychedelic fantasy film produced by Creature Shop circa 1981, Part 2 is our early 2000s experimental grunge goth tragicomic vampire flick doomed to the wal-mart bargain bin until it gets rediscovered in 2036 and has a huge fandom renaissance. Decided to separate this into its own post for archival reasons (and to make edits/additions easier to track.)

Thanks again to @chaosteddybear for the original tag! I won't be tagging anyone in these subsequent entries, since they're bonus material. However if you see this and want to try it yourself, tag me when you do so I can lay ear on your tunes!

Rules: If you're tagged, make a new post with links to music and/or lyrics describing the following: 1. An event that defines your character's past 2. How your character sees themselves 3. How others view them 4. Their closest relationship (platonic or romantic) 5. A major fight scene 6. End Credits song

Spotify || Youtube Music || lyrics with English translations linked in song titles

PLUSMINUSNULA - Ob​č​as*

'Sometimes It seems to me That I'm a stranger in my home Sometimes It seems to me That I'm a king with his head in the guillotine'

Trapped in a city meant to be the bastion of civilization against the monster-infested wasteland, Zell found far worse monsters with him inside the walls. There was no reason to stay, no reason to take the inheritance of his father's damnable legacy.

IAMX - Sorrow

'My northern heart weighs like a stone And the burning sadness has become my home The tortured world wants Me to hate But there’s A world inside Where my love can bury my rage'

He's hurting, aimless, longing for a home;

NIN - The Hand That Feeds **

'What if this whole Crusade's a Charade and behind there's all a price to be paid for the blood on which we dine justified in the name of the holy divine Just how deep do you believe? Will you bite the hand that feeds?'

Pressed into service to a God he doesn't follow and a campaign his heart cannot support;

BUCK-TICK - KODO (HEARTBEAT)

'I don’t know why I’m living, but even so, I think I want to live passionately, if I’m loved I’m sorry, thank you'

And he's so terribly sorry for being him, but if this is all he is, he's grateful for any love at all;

BORIS & SUN O))) - Blood Swamp [instrumental]***

And he will hunt you, hunt you, restless and persistent;

BARONESS - Tourniquet

'I've got an artificial heart It beats but I can't feel a thing It's an unofficial part It bleeds but I'm already gone'

Until he is finally allowed to rest.

*I wanted to get tracks from both Czechia and Mongolia since those are the closest real-world equivalents to where he's from, but sadly I couldn't find any Mongolian goth or post-punk that fit. ALWAYS open for suggestions tho

**the 'outsider' track for this set. Initially I didn't want to lean on any artists that were too well known, but I had to include Bite the Hand because it fits thematically and, well. It inspired the name of the blog. Teehee

***Does anyone else remember SINISTER? Man that was a weird flick. Well shot though.

[xxdarkxmoth17xx]

The Start Of A Series Of Posts Of Me Rambling About The Plot Of The Fragile Since This Album Is So Good Holy Fuck Oh My God Trent Reznor Please Marry Me.

TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR MENTIONS OF: SUICIDE, DRUG USE, SELF-HARM AND OTHER DARK TOPICS.

The Fragile Is Nine Inch Nails' fourth main studio release, being also reffered to as Halo 14, it was released in September 21, 1999. It features the sounds of Industrial Beats, Heavy Rock and even some Ambiental, The Album is a spirital successor to their last studio release "The Downward Spiral" from 1994, one of the things it shares with The Downward Spiral is the fact it's a concept album with a story.

So time for me to make a post on here and ramble about my interpretation of TF's Story and also why I like this album so fucking much...

So yeah uhh... For Context this doesn't consider TF as a sequel to TDS, not a literal one, but rather a spiritual sequel, they share themes and stuff but they have seperate antagonists and stuff, also the NIN wiki is gonna be a main source for this thing. Oh also I reccomend that you listen to both The Downward Spiral and The Fragile, oh also maybe watch an explanation thing for the TDS songs, as I will reference the events of TDS from time to time.

Somewhat Damaged

SD is a song that uses a single motif throughout it's entire duration, a simple four note guitar riff, with the first half of the song written in a 9/4 (or a repeating 3/4) time signature. The Motif starts as a acoustic guitar, and as the song goes on the motif is played by distorted guitars. The song's lyrics are from the perspective of our first character, our protagonist, who shall go unnamed, much like everyone in this story, the title is an understatement, this guy's not somewhat damaged, he's way more.

The first stanza of the song, gives us an idea of how he is doing "So impressed with all you do... Tried so hard to be like you... Flew too high and burnt the wing... Lost my faith in everything" he seems to be talking to someone he wanted to be like, I interpret this song is about drug use, more especifically Heroin, it made our protagonist turn into a more self-destructive version of himself (similar to Mr. Self Destruct from TDS) before the events of the album our protagonist went through a downward spiral, though it isn't THE Downward Spiral the protagonist from TDS goes through, as our protagonist is still alive. (The TDS protagonist shoots himself in the end) Our protagonist is at rock bottom, that's evident as the song goes on. Also the lines "Tried so hard to be like you" and "Flew too high and burnt the wing" will be referenced in later songs.

The second Stanza starts "Lick around divine debris, Taste the wealth of hate in me, Shedding skin, succumb defeat... This machine is obsolete" our protagonist is angry at everything, he feels defeated, I presume the "machine" mentioned in these lyrics are a representation of our protagonist.

Pre-Chorus time: "Made the choice to go away! Drink the fountain of decay, Tear a hole, exquisite red! Fuck the rest and stab it dead!" the protagonist wants to step away from using drugs, he wants to improve himself. "Drank the fountain of decay" referencing the protag using drugs for the first time. "Tear a whole, exquisite red! Fuck the rest and stab it dead!" references shooting up, which is injecting a substance, often drugs such as meth or heroin, with a hypodermic needle, the needle tears a whole into the skin.

SD's Chorus starts with "BROKEN, BRUISED, FORGOTTEN, SORE! TOO FUCKED UP TO CARE ANYMORE!!" pretty obvious, our protagonist doesn't care about the fact he's using drugs, he doesn't care about how he's killing himself by using drugs. "POISONED TO MY ROTTEN CORE!! TOO FUCKED UP TO CARE ANYMORE!!!" he compares himself to a rotten apple, since he's been corrupted by drug use. these lines are repeated a second time.

"In the back, Off the side, And far away... Is a place where I hide, where I stay" keep in mind this "place" this place is mentioned again a few times throughout the songs of the album.

outro starts "Tried to say, tried to ask, I needed to all alone by myself, where were you?" drugs at first kinda made him feel better at first but it slowly worsened his life in the long run. "How could I ever think, it's funny how everything that swore it wouldn't change is different now, Just like you would always say, we'll make it through... THEN MY HEAD, FELL APART AND WHERE WERE YOU?!?" to me this is him trying to blame the drugs for his self destructive behavior, maybe he tried to give up earlier but he couldn't do it.

"HOW COULD I EVER THINK IT'S FUNNY HOW? EVERYTHING YOU SWORE WOULD NEVER CHANGE IS DIFFERENT NOW?!?! LIKE YOU SAID 'YOU AND ME, WE'LL MAKE IT THROUGH' DIDN'T QUITE, FELL APART, WHERE THE FUCK WHERE YOU!?!?!?!" The protagonist is calling himself a fool for using drugs, and becoming addicted to them, he feels betrayed, this might imply he nearly overdosed and died due to drug use. The songs ends with a cresendoing synth based on Trent Reznor's voice, as it slowly fades into the next song with a slow, menacing drone... but uhh since this post took at least half an hour to write I'll think I'll make every song into separate posts, so I'll have to make 25 different posts for each song, I hope I can get the next rambling by tomorrow.

[0zzysaurus]

Anyways NIN lyrics that remind me of Javert (not seen is all of Ruiner that is 100% him hating on/but weirdly getting the hots for Madeleine - from Javerts perspective Madeleine is the ruiner, from everyone else’s perspective, it’s Javert)

The Hand That Feeds is self explanatory, the lyrics from I Do Not Want This give regretting his suicide vibes, (more so than Hurt funnily enough, just cus of the contextual metaphors being more relevant here) and March of the Pigs is his crazy feral ass KNOWING Madeleine is a liar, ratting him out, and feeling proud of it

[paramorearchived]

March 24, 2013

Transcript:

perspective

This will be the last of the lyric posts until the album comes! There's going to be a lot of exciting stuff happening this week so I promise that the time will fly by! Thanks for coming here to read the tiniest preview of some of the songs off our album. The guys and I are all but bursting at the seams with pride and excitement for this record to come out. Thank God.

It's hard to believe that almost a year ago, exactly, we moved out to LA to finish writing/start recording our Self Titled album. The few months before that were a weird time for me, personally. I was battling the present and just constantly trying to figure out how to get to whatever was going to be next. It's funny how life goes cause then you start to look back at a time that felt really difficult and realize it was one of the most beautiful times in your whole life. The last two years were strange and hard and I learned a lot... but it was easily one of the most amazing, most peaceful times of my life. When I talk to people about it, I refer to last Spring/Summer as a "golden moment" that sparked so much growth and necessary healing. Funny I didn't recognize how perfect it actually was when I was living it. We all need a little perspective sometimes. To stand back and really get what we're right in the middle of.

Last January, I sat up in bed one morning and sang out the chorus to a song that, for pretty obvious reasons, we called "Daydreaming". I've never been the kind of writer to do that. There are like a billion episodes of Behind The Music where the artist talks about writing a song in their sleep... waking up and putting it down on paper before they go back to bed... or some of them just get right up and get to work finishing it. That's just never been me, though I always wished it was. This particular morning, however, I woke up and from somewhere deep in my head or heart or wherever songs come from... it just came out like word vomit. Later that day I went to Taylor's and showed him. Eventually the song kind of finished itself.

Looking back on the months before we moved to California, I was having the worst time just getting through my daily life. I didn't want to see anyone I knew in Nashville. I felt lonely and sad and a little hurt. For whatever reason I just felt like there was more out there for me but it wasn't wherever I was. Not "more" as in success, or any type of worldly gain... but I just felt like my heart should be happier. I was constantly dreaming up a brighter life in my head. Trying to figure out what to do to get there. When we moved to LA, even the physical act of getting away wasn't really helping. At that point, I felt completely lost. If I was this far away from my problems and I still felt alone and down... then where could I go to feel any less alone? It took a few weeks. It took getting up every morning and just deciding I was right where I needed to be. It took singing "Daydreaming" out loud in front of a mic in the studio and turning it into a reality. Now I look back at that season of my life with such a deep nostalgia. Growing pains sometimes hurt like heartache. In the moments that you feel change happening and you feel your heart, mind, body and soul resisting it with all your might, try not resisting for only a moment. Go with it, even! It's like that quote I've always loved by Anias Nin... "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom". Don't miss a chance to move forward. Daydream a little. Don't be scared to embrace the way that it hurts just to grow. You'll look back and your heart will thank you for not standing still when what you needed the most was to move forward.

"Living in a city of sleepless people Who all know the limits and won't go too far outside the lines Cause they're' out of their minds. I wanna get out and build my own home On a street where reality is not much different from dreams I've had A dream is all I have...

Daydreaming Daydreaming all the time Daydreaming Daydreaming into the night And I'm alright

Creep past the hours like the shorter hand on the clock hanging on a wall of a schoolhouse somewhere We wait for the bell And we dream of somewhere else

Daydreaming Daydreaming all the time Daydreaming Daydreaming into the night And I'm alright

Not that I won't remember where I'm from Just don't wanna be here no more It's not enough (We're only half alive) I'm gonna go (We're only half alive) Where the rest of the dreamers go

Where the dreamers go

Daydreaming Daydreaming all the time Daydreaming Daydreaming into the night And I'm alright

Daydreaming Daydreaming all the time Daydreamer We used to be half alive Now I'm alright"

Surprise! There's the whole song's worth...

-hayley

[dilfsuzanneyk]

okay i'm about to ramble about the song Right Where It Belongs. the beginning of the song feels so,,,, empty. like you're definitely missing something that you think would make everything better. the music just feels so lacking something. but towards the end of the song it starts to feel so full and YET it still feels like something's missing. it's that emotion of what you thought would help you not doing that at all.

the lyrics kind of reflect this as well (or at least, i interpret it to). the idea of having this idea in your head that you have this thing, you need this thing, to kinda fill your life and give you this kind of fulfilment maybe. the idea of making a choice between staying in this deluded idea that yes, your beliefs are real. you DO need all this to fill yourself up you just need to find it. or realising that this isn't what you need and that this isn't going to help you at all. you're still empty. you're still missing something. you're not really happy and this isn't really what you want.

the music helps the vibe and emotions SO well too. it starts out soft, softer than the other songs so far. there's that effect on trent's voice that makes him feel so far away. so quiet and small and hopeless. there's also that significant lack of a bass in the back, lack of percussion too which is rare to be missing from an nin song. all you have is this high pitched, hollow sounding piano with the synths to accompany it (but even the synths feel bare). there's something missing from the music. it's emptier than usual. it feels almost incomplete. and then the instrumentals slowly and gradually get slightly louder. trying to fill in that space missing from the lack bass and drums but it doesn't work. and THEN the bass is added. a simple plucking of notes. it's not soft either, it's definitely there. but the music still feels bare.

then the effect on trent's voice is turned off. everything is louder. the addition of cheering in the back too. but it STILL feels so empty. it's just gradually attempting to fill that silence and emptiness with more noise but it doesn't do that. it doesn't work. it's still empty. it's still missing something.

the music sets up the emotion so well and it blends so well with the lyrics that it's just so. wow. you're left feeling that exact same way as you listen to the song.

tl;dr i love this song so much and the lyrics and music work so well together please give it a listen!!