Interpretations:Impossibly New
- Song
- Lyrics
- Interpretations
- Credits
- Guitar Tab
- Bass Tab
- Chronology
A Depression Era Workers' Song, Modernized for the Rust Belt[edit]
Imagine a pair of guys in, say, a Hooverville back in the 30's. One strumming a guitar and both of them harmonizing about a life, and love, and a beloved town, all of which they lost from economic hardship. Thematically and tonally, the song fits that, right? I half expect to hear a campfire crackling in the background when I listen to it.
But, it has some elements that don't fit the era, so it seems to be deliberately drawing lines between the Depression and the modern death of American industry through automation and job exportation.
And so, the corner phone booth, which was so rebellious, at least according to these two failed rebels, now falls unused for advancing tech and a passionate love, both of which are impossibly new. -Vidihawk (talk) 13:17, 24 February 2021 (EST)
Repressed feelings imagined admitted in times long-gone[edit]
Warning: I may be very biased.
I hear this song as being narrated by two gay men (or indeed lesbians) who knew and loved each other back in some industrial town maybe 50 years ago or so, but were unable to admit their feelings, even to themselves, due to the attitudes of the time (read: horrific homophobia and discrimination). They stayed in denial and closeted their whole lives and entered into unhappy straight relationships or else remained alone. They are themselves the "bitter dudes" and "rude deceivers".
In today's world, attitudes have somewhat shifted to become more tolerant and they are able to admit their feelings at least to themselves. The world has completely changed since they were young, with the factories with their chimneys largely being torn down and everything appearing ancient. They lost touch decades ago and so cannot confess to each other or reunite, but, miles apart, they simultaneously (signified by the singing in harmony throughout) imagine going back in time to be reunited (as the "two believers") while retaining the changes of the present day ("the only smokestack coming back is me for you"). Their love was not allowed to exist in those times, but does in their identically imagined scenarios, hence, "impossibly new".
There, they will be able to be "two for once" and able to speak the truth without fear (hence the reference to sodium pentothal, which has a reputation as a 'truth serum' though this is pretty dubious).
Not a real worm (talk) 16:14, 30 June 2026 (EDT)