Brian Eno by MGMT Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Sonic Homage to a Music Production Icon

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for MGMT's Brian Eno at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

So tired
Soul searching
I followed the sounds to a cathedral
Imagine my surprise to find that they were produced by Brian Eno

Past the gates
Quite stark
The roses trimmed and the windows dark
I see the walls through a limestone crack
Not red not blue not yellow but black
And all the spaces left for you
If the sky was synthesized you’d probably know

He taught me many things
The wisdom of o bleak stratagems
The prophet of a sapphire soul
Presented through creative freedoms
And everything I say is true
Cuz if I was telling lies it’d probably show

I can tell that he’s kind of smiling
But what does he know?
We’re always one step behind him, he’s Brian Eno
Brian Eno

When I was stuck he’d make me memorize elaborate curses
Tinctures and formulas to ditch the choir and flip the verses
My whole foundation came unglued
When I tried to humanize by ambient light
Dipping swords in metaphors yeah but what does he know?
We’re always one step behind him, he’s Brian Eno
Brian Eno!

He promised pretty worlds and all the silence
I could dream of Brian peter George St John Le
Baptiste De La Salle Eno

Well all alone by the oldest stone where the shade
Trees grow the creature by the water feature with a
Ghostly glow making sure that time’s preserved
Well we reap what we sow
We’re always one step behind him, he’s Brian Eno

The enigmatic track ‘Brian Eno’ by American psychedelic pop duo MGMT stands as both an ode and a wistful reflection on the influence of one of music’s most innovative producers. While it intrigues with its synthetic beats and cosmic lyricism, the track delves much deeper, into an exploration of creativity, legacy, and the art of being eternally ‘one step behind’.

Through this examination, we unearth the layers of homage embedded within the lyrics, where MGMT pays respect to a pioneering maestro while also contemplating the elusive nature of artistic achievement. The song traverses enigmatic realms that capture the ethereal spirit linked to Eno’s transcendent work in music.

The Gates to Sonic Cathedrals: Exploring Eno’s Architectural Influence

In the opening lines, MGMT draws a vivid picture of discovering sounds that lead to a metaphorical cathedral—a space often associated with grandeur and the divine. Here, Brian Eno is portrayed as the architect of expansive auditory experiences. The reference to colors—or the lack thereof—hints at Eno’s work with ambience, where the absence of conventional musical structure creates a blanched canvas for the listener’s imagination.

This sanctuary of sound isn’t adorned with the vibrant colors one might expect from a band like MGMT, but rather with the blankness of black; symbolizing perhaps Eno’s role in challenging the norms and crafting a space far removed from traditional sonic boundaries. A ‘limestone crack’ implies a permeating impact, one that allows for creative escape and manifests through the influence of Eno’s teachings.

The Prophet of a Sapphire Soul: Discovering Eno’s Ethereal Teachings

MGMT revels in the wisdom imparted by Eno, metaphorically elevating him to a prophetic status with a ‘sapphire soul’. Eno’s work with sound textures is known for its depth and reflective quality—qualities that sapphire conveys. The duo credits Eno with providing ‘creative freedoms,’ suggesting that the guidance they’ve received from his philosophies has had an enlightening effect on their own artistry.

They claim an earnest truth to their words and an allegiance to authenticity that reflects Eno’s ethos. However, integrity in music production is a double-edged sword—as much as it’s about exposing truths, it’s equally about the wisps of mystery that music can create. ‘If I was telling lies it’d probably show,’ they sing, playing with the idea of transparency through creation.

Dipping Swords in Metaphors: MGMT’s Complex Relationship with Eno’s Genius

MGMT presents a layered relationship with their muse; there’s reverence but also a sense of struggle in the quest to ‘humanize by ambient light.’ They touch upon the tangible effort to grasp Eno’s concepts, to dissect and apply his abstract teachings to their music. The attempt to ‘dip swords in metaphors’ evokes a duel with linguistic and musical complexities.

This bravado of flipping verses and memorizing ‘elaborate curses’ depicts a diligent student’s pursuit to emulate, yet invariably falling short of the master’s effortless finesse. The acknowledgment of being ‘always one step behind’ serves as a respectful nod to the perpetual pioneer that Eno represents.

Whispering Elysium: MGMT’s Homage to Eno’s Vision of Silence

In a dedication that extends beyond the tongue-twisting allure of ‘Brian Peter George St John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno,’ MGMT underscores an enigmatic promise Eno whispered to the world. He promised ‘pretty worlds and all the silence’—a gateway to the serenity and creative utopia that Eno’s ambient music often conveys.

This paints a picture of an artist not only as a creator but also as a guardian of sacred quietude where beauty and dreams persist uninterrupted. Here, silence is not empty, but full of potential—and it’s this minimalistic genius of Eno that MGMT apparently seeks to capture in their artistic homage.

Always One Step Behind: The Legacy and Perpetual Pursuit of Musical Innovation

In the final part of the refrain, the declaration of being ‘one step behind him’ could speak of the chase all artists are engaged in—the pursuit of innovation, of capturing the elusive ‘ghostly glow’ of originality that predecessors like Eno cast forward. MGMT pays tribute to the universal journey of creative individuals aspiring to leave an indelible mark as profound as Eno’s.

And yet, in acknowledging that gap—the step behind—they celebrate the influence and the aspiration it engenders. To MGMT, being in the shadow of Brian Eno is an emblem of respect, a testament to their musical heritage, and a commitment to continue pushing the barriers of their sonic landscapes.