Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a surreal, almost dreamlike scene where retired superhumans dance with "giddy ghosts" and the "breath of the house." This sets a tone of whimsical, yet slightly unsettling, transformation, suggesting a shedding of old identities. The narrator finds themselves in a state of flux, where "what I've been calling me has been calling back - Don't call me that," indicating a rejection of a former self or a name that no longer fits. This internal conflict is externalized through bizarre, vivid imagery, like eyes becoming mouths and the self manifesting as "onomatopoepic animal faces." The core tension seems to revolve around reclaiming or redefining identity, particularly in relation to familial expectations, symbolized by the desire "to give my dad his name back." The narrator feels unheard, comparing themselves to a hero who "never hear me," highlighting a disconnect between their internal experience and external perception. This is further complicated by the idea that "a her needn't heed any warnings," suggesting a disregard for conventional advice or societal pressures in this quest for self-definition. The repeated refrain, "what I've been calling me has been calling back - Don't call me that," underscores the persistent struggle against an imposed or outdated identity. The most striking aspect of the writing is its inventive, almost playful use of language to convey deep psychological states. Phrases like "bubbling like liips and running like a muppet falk eyed and dragon eared" create a sense of chaotic, multi-faceted self-expression. The juxtaposition of "boast and morn" and the visceral image of being "tickled by the first grips of a chokehold" illustrate the complex negotiation between pride and regret, or perhaps between external pressures and internal desires. The lyrics suggest that this process of becoming is messy, marked by both absurdity and a profound, almost physical, struggle to quiet the "flag's clap"—the noise of societal expectation or past failures.