“Lazy Eye” by Silversun Pickups is a standout track from their 2006 debut album, Carnavas. The song is characterized by its dynamic shifts, from introspective verses to explosive choruses, and features a blend of alternative rock and shoegaze influences.
Lyrically, “Lazy Eye” delves into themes of anticipation, disillusionment, and the struggle for authenticity in a world that often prioritizes superficial appearances.
The title itself, “Lazy Eye,” serves as both a literal reference to lead singer Brian Aubert’s childhood condition and a metaphor for a flawed or imperfect perspective.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Lazy Eye” Lyrics Meaning
Verse 1
I’ve been waiting
I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life
But it’s not quite right
And this “real”
It’s impossible, if possible, at whose blind word?
So clear, but so unheard
The first verse sets the tone of anticipation and disillusionment. The speaker has been waiting for a significant moment all their life, but when it arrives, it feels off.
The phrase “And this ‘real'” suggests a questioning of reality and authenticity. The line “It’s impossible, if possible, at whose blind word?” indicates skepticism about what is considered real or true, possibly influenced by others’ perceptions. The final line, “So clear, but so unheard,” underscores the frustration of having an understanding that others do not recognize or acknowledge.
Verse 2
I’ve been waiting
I’ve been waiting for this silence all night long
It’s just a matter of time
To appear sad
With the same ol’ decent lazy eye fixed to rest on you
Aim free, but so untrue
In the second verse, the waiting continues, this time for silence, which could symbolize peace or clarity. The phrase “To appear sad” suggests a facade or a forced emotional state.
The “decent lazy eye” metaphorically represents a skewed or unfocused perspective, indicating a sense of complacency or acceptance of imperfection. “Aim free, but so untrue” implies a lack of genuine direction or purpose, highlighting a sense of disconnection or falseness.
Pre-Chorus
Everyone’s so intimately rearranged
Everyone’s so focused clearly with such shine
Everyone’s so intimately prearranged
Everyone’s so focused clearly with such shine!
The pre-chorus reflects on societal pressures and the facade of perfection. The repetition of “Everyone’s so intimately rearranged” and “focused clearly with such shine” suggests that people are superficially put together and polished, possibly to meet societal expectations.
This contrasts with the speaker’s own feelings of imperfection and disarray, emphasizing the theme of authenticity versus appearance.
Chorus
Lost and loaded!
Still the same ol’ decent lazy eye fixed through your gaze!
That’s why I said I relate!
I said we relate, it’s so fun to relate!
The chorus expresses a mix of frustration and connection. “Lost and loaded” conveys a sense of being overwhelmed yet ready to confront challenges. The “same ol’ decent lazy eye” continues to symbolize a flawed perspective, but it is now directed through someone else’s gaze, suggesting a shared experience of imperfection.
The repeated line “I said we relate, it’s so fun to relate!” highlights the joy and comfort found in connecting with others who share similar flaws and struggles.
Bridge
It’s the room, the sun, and the sky
The room, the sun, and the sky
The bridge simplifies the imagery, focusing on fundamental elements: the room, the sun, and the sky. This could represent a grounding moment, a return to basic, universal experiences that everyone shares, stripping away complexities and facades.
Outro
I’ve been waiting
I’ve been waiting for this moment
The outro circles back to the theme of waiting, reinforcing the ongoing anticipation and the unresolved nature of the speaker’s journey. This repetition underscores the continuous search for meaning and connection, leaving the listener in a state of suspension, much like the speaker’s own experience.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Lazy Eye”
Brian Aubert, the lead singer of Silversun Pickups, has mentioned that he himself had a lazy eye condition (amblyopia) when he was younger. This personal experience directly influenced the title of the song.
The condition of having a lazy eye can symbolize a skewed or unfocused perspective, which ties into the themes of the song about seeing things differently and dealing with imperfections.
The term “lazy eye” is used metaphorically in the song to represent a flawed or imperfect view of life and relationships. The lyrics suggest a sense of waiting and anticipation for significant moments that, when they arrive, feel imperfect or incomplete. This is captured in lines like “I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life, but it’s not quite right” and “with the same ol’ decent lazy eye fixed to rest on you, aim free, but so untrue”.
The “lazy eye” can also symbolize a certain complacency or acceptance of one’s flaws and imperfections. It reflects the idea of being stuck in a particular way of seeing things, unable to escape one’s own perspective, which is a recurring theme in the song. This is evident in the chorus where the speaker relates to others through shared imperfections: “That’s why I said I relate! I said we relate, it’s so fun to relate!”.
The song also touches on societal pressures to appear perfect and put-together, contrasting with the speaker’s own admitted imperfections. The repetition of “Everyone’s so intimately rearranged” and “focused clearly with such shine” suggests that people are superficially put together to meet societal expectations, while the speaker embraces their imperfections.
Overall, “Lazy Eye” captures the universal human experience of striving for authenticity and connection in a world that often prioritizes superficial appearances.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.