Interpretations:We Live In A Dump

• Song
• Lyrics
• Interpretations
• Credits
• Guitar Tab
• Bass Tab
• Chronology

Interpretation 1

I just wanted to get the ball rolling on discussion for this great new song. This is one of the Giants' most bubblegum-catchy songs in years. The lyrics concern a narrator who lives in relative squalor, enjoying a lazy, bohemian slacker lifestyle ("Our friends are all nuts," but "Don't wake me from my dream.") Perhaps the person singing the verses is different from the guy doing the chorus; the former is trying to convince the latter that they live in a bat-infested dump ("What's good about that?") but the latter seems somewhat content with the lifestyle ("Why be realistic?"). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 144.89.185.182 (talk • contribs) 15:45, April 9, 2006

At the Pittsburgh show last night, Flans said something to the effect that the song is kind of about how TMBG was in their early days. - FrankEinstein 19:55, May 11, 2006

Interpretation 2

Podcast 6A, to me, seems to have sort of a rock opera feel to it... We Live In A Dump is the opening act, with the roommates arguing over their living conditions. I'm A Little Airplane is from the viewpoint of the more slacker roommate as he gets really really baked. Cut to Free to Be You and Me, where the non-slacker roommate goes, "okay, whatever." Then I Never Go To Work caps off the mini-opera, with the non-slacker roommate doing double-overtime to cover rent for his now former friend... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 135.214.154.100 (talk • contribs) 15:58, June 16, 2006

Interpretation 3

I think the song is an answer to the song "Why Did you Grow a Beard?" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.180.240.97 (talk • contribs) 03:13, July 17, 2006

Interpretation 4

This song could be a theme for any wacky sitcom ever. --FireLily 18:46, July 21, 2006

Interpretation 5

I think this song speaks for itself to most of us. I just wanted to point out that even if bats did lay eggs, and sealing wax contained lead, the bats would probably not be adversely affected. This is due to the simple fact that said wax is for sealing envelopes, not for making your ceiling shine like new. I found that out the hard way... --Phlodo 15:15, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Interpretation 6

I think this song is about several animals, namely bats and monkeys, who live together in a small apartment or dorm room. "Hanging out" obviously would then refer to the bats hanging from the ceiling, whereas "making plans" could refer to the monkeys at the typewriters. "The lead that's in the ceiling/sealing wax" may refer to the monkeys' dislike for the bats, hoping that they get lead poisoning and die. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.11.223.122 (talk • contribs) 22:36, February 19, 2008

Interpretation 7

I think this song is also about the creative process, and the kind of chaotic squalor that many artists end up living in. "While the monkeys type away" refers to the theory that if you give an infinite number of typewriters to an infinite number of monkeys, one of them will eventually type out shakespeare, just through sheer chance. Similarly, the artist is trying to come up with so many ideas and plans, a full lifetime supply, in the hopes that they just may hit on something good. I think the the bat verse is a reference to having "bats in the belfry", and the eggs they lay are the crazy ideas that they are coming up with. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.246.4.253 (talk • contribs) 23:02, November 22, 2009

Interpretation 8

To me, the song seems more of "Yeah, we live in a crappy place, and our life kind of sucks. But you know what? It doesn't matter to me, because I'm off in my own little world, so leave me alone." Which I can relate to all too well.--ConnoisaurusRex 17:35, 2 February 2011 (UTC)

Person Man

It's a continuation of the story of Person Man, who lives his life in a garbage can. --MisterMe (talk) 08:18, 28 March 2014 (EDT)

Unused Coraline Song

So, for the people who dont know, the Johns we're originally supposed to write the Soundtrack for the movie Coraline. Maybe they releases some without saying so.

This Song could be Coraline complaining about the pink palace, and everyone There being nuts, or drunk, Like mr.bobo. so the Line "dont wake me from my Dreams" is Coraline wanting to stay in the Others world. The retired nuts in the Song are muss spink and forcible, who are retired from theatre.

26.sep 2023