METAFOR
Lyrics
My paper's on the table, pen is ready to write
And I'm just searching for a name to step right into the light
But see when nothing draws near, I begin to fear
My inspiration's running dry and only silence appears
I'll be confronted with the proof, when I step in the booth
Put the truth on the table, or just table the truth
See, I got nothing to say, no one to rap about
I've run amok in dismay, cuz I'm the Prince of Self-Doubt
So just give me a name, or I'll be flooded with shame
And lose my every chance of getting in the rap hall of fame
How 'bout a penny for your thoughts? The name of a dame?
Or a dime to buy the claim over your fame?
A memory, melody, remedy, to give apparent clarity in this parody lacking vulgarity
Is it for me or for you? Could it just be for two?
Why bother even ask? It's not like anybody knew
Chorus:
Check your inspiration at the door
Who is this song for? Who is this song for?
Is it wrong for me to search for something more?
Who is this song for? Who is this song for?
Post Chorus:
Is it wrong for me to see you as the key to this beat?
Cuz if you were to be, you would make it complete
I think I need a fresh start, lather, rinse, repeat
Will a face just appear as I put words to the page?
My vision's getting blurry and I don't think it's with age
Why can't the way I feel reveal what's real and let me know the deal?
I feel like I've been sleeping and I just woke up behind the wheel
Trapped in a daze, can't seem to solve this maze
I'm running out of places so just let me count the ways
I might have done this before
I don't have any more
I think I'll start from the beginning, just build up from the floor
Every door might be locked, but if I just take stock
I can tear through all the panels, pan for gold, and find that rock
I didn't mean crack, just go back to the line before that
Where I clear out all the cobwebs just sit down and write a rap
So here we are at the beginning, does this mean I'm winning?
Can't say so, I just feel like my hair is thinning
Back to the drawing board, back to wanting more
Did I hear that right? My verse is over with that chord
Chorus
Post Chorus:
Is it wrong for me to see you as the key to this beat?
Cuz if you were to be, you would make it complete
I'm looking deep into my heart I'm gonna follow my feet
Bridge:
Is it wrong for me to see you as the key to this beat?
Cuz if you were to be, you would make it complete
Chorus
Post Chorus:
Is it wrong for me to see you as the key to this beat?
Cuz if you were to be, you would make it complete
I think I need a fresh start, lather, rinse, repeat
And I'm just searching for a name to step right into the light
But see when nothing draws near, I begin to fear
My inspiration's running dry and only silence appears
I'll be confronted with the proof, when I step in the booth
Put the truth on the table, or just table the truth
See, I got nothing to say, no one to rap about
I've run amok in dismay, cuz I'm the Prince of Self-Doubt
So just give me a name, or I'll be flooded with shame
And lose my every chance of getting in the rap hall of fame
How 'bout a penny for your thoughts? The name of a dame?
Or a dime to buy the claim over your fame?
A memory, melody, remedy, to give apparent clarity in this parody lacking vulgarity
Is it for me or for you? Could it just be for two?
Why bother even ask? It's not like anybody knew
Chorus:
Check your inspiration at the door
Who is this song for? Who is this song for?
Is it wrong for me to search for something more?
Who is this song for? Who is this song for?
Post Chorus:
Is it wrong for me to see you as the key to this beat?
Cuz if you were to be, you would make it complete
I think I need a fresh start, lather, rinse, repeat
Will a face just appear as I put words to the page?
My vision's getting blurry and I don't think it's with age
Why can't the way I feel reveal what's real and let me know the deal?
I feel like I've been sleeping and I just woke up behind the wheel
Trapped in a daze, can't seem to solve this maze
I'm running out of places so just let me count the ways
I might have done this before
I don't have any more
I think I'll start from the beginning, just build up from the floor
Every door might be locked, but if I just take stock
I can tear through all the panels, pan for gold, and find that rock
I didn't mean crack, just go back to the line before that
Where I clear out all the cobwebs just sit down and write a rap
So here we are at the beginning, does this mean I'm winning?
Can't say so, I just feel like my hair is thinning
Back to the drawing board, back to wanting more
Did I hear that right? My verse is over with that chord
Chorus
Post Chorus:
Is it wrong for me to see you as the key to this beat?
Cuz if you were to be, you would make it complete
I'm looking deep into my heart I'm gonna follow my feet
Bridge:
Is it wrong for me to see you as the key to this beat?
Cuz if you were to be, you would make it complete
Chorus
Post Chorus:
Is it wrong for me to see you as the key to this beat?
Cuz if you were to be, you would make it complete
I think I need a fresh start, lather, rinse, repeat
Story
<Chris>
MetaFor was originally written under "The J.I.M.", a side project Will, Jake and I started in May 2014. Will and I decided that we wanted to write a rap song that fused influences from two artists we had been crushing at that time, B.o.B and Twenty One Pilots. We actually went into the song-writing process with the intention of being "mainstream." Will wrote a "hook" centered around a common chord progression you could easily find on the radio and we both agreed upon a fairly non-progressive overall structure.
I laid down one night thinking hard about what I would cover in my rap. For the longest time...nothing. There was no single topic, person, or experience surfacing that I felt strongly enough about to address. In all honesty, that was frustrating. I wanted something to come naturally - for some reflection to force its way to the forefront of my mind and demand attention. It has occurred to me that I may not be an inspiration-driven songwriter/lyricist. I don't normally hear melodies or riffs in my head...in most cases, I have to wrestle with an instrument for a while before finding an idea that I'm interested in pursuing. But, instead of working through the writer's block that night, I decided to channel the frustration and articulate exactly what I was feeling...a lack of inspiration and a fear that that weakened my legitimacy as a musician.
For a long time, MetaFor was just a fun song we wrote to appeal to the masses. It wasn't until we formally created Compass & Cavern that we started to take it more seriously. I have been able to personally stay connected to MetaFor because I can still empathize with the "me" who just wanted something to talk about.
So...
Who is this song for? For me or for you?
<Jake>
At the risk of sounding like the biggest nerd in the world, rap is fun! I had never written lyrics before this song, so this was a great chance to get more insight into the songwriting process. Chris' initial idea was a really interesting one, so I wanted to focus on the confusion and frustration the narrator feels. Writing lyrics for the first time, I definitely experienced those emotions as well. Wanting to get into the meta spirit, I tried to throw in some lyrics that referred back on themselves. The concept was truly inventive and allowed us to explore the nature of inspiration and frustration with a lack thereof.
MetaFor was originally written under "The J.I.M.", a side project Will, Jake and I started in May 2014. Will and I decided that we wanted to write a rap song that fused influences from two artists we had been crushing at that time, B.o.B and Twenty One Pilots. We actually went into the song-writing process with the intention of being "mainstream." Will wrote a "hook" centered around a common chord progression you could easily find on the radio and we both agreed upon a fairly non-progressive overall structure.
I laid down one night thinking hard about what I would cover in my rap. For the longest time...nothing. There was no single topic, person, or experience surfacing that I felt strongly enough about to address. In all honesty, that was frustrating. I wanted something to come naturally - for some reflection to force its way to the forefront of my mind and demand attention. It has occurred to me that I may not be an inspiration-driven songwriter/lyricist. I don't normally hear melodies or riffs in my head...in most cases, I have to wrestle with an instrument for a while before finding an idea that I'm interested in pursuing. But, instead of working through the writer's block that night, I decided to channel the frustration and articulate exactly what I was feeling...a lack of inspiration and a fear that that weakened my legitimacy as a musician.
For a long time, MetaFor was just a fun song we wrote to appeal to the masses. It wasn't until we formally created Compass & Cavern that we started to take it more seriously. I have been able to personally stay connected to MetaFor because I can still empathize with the "me" who just wanted something to talk about.
So...
Who is this song for? For me or for you?
<Jake>
At the risk of sounding like the biggest nerd in the world, rap is fun! I had never written lyrics before this song, so this was a great chance to get more insight into the songwriting process. Chris' initial idea was a really interesting one, so I wanted to focus on the confusion and frustration the narrator feels. Writing lyrics for the first time, I definitely experienced those emotions as well. Wanting to get into the meta spirit, I tried to throw in some lyrics that referred back on themselves. The concept was truly inventive and allowed us to explore the nature of inspiration and frustration with a lack thereof.