Motion Sickness Ghosts

Song Meaning

Robert Pollard's "Motion Sickness Ghosts" is a brief but potent dose of surreal unease, a sonic snapshot of disorientation and regret. The song's meaning, while characteristically oblique, seems to center around a fraught relationship, or perhaps an internal struggle, marked by a sense of being overwhelmed and manipulated. The recurring phrase "It's all wrinkled up" suggests something precious has been damaged, possibly a sense of self or a connection to another person. This damage isn't sudden; it's a gradual crumpling, a wearing down. The "motion sickness ghosts" themselves are a particularly evocative image. They represent the lingering, nauseating effects of past experiences, attempts to escape that prove futile. The lyrics hint at a power dynamic, with the narrator lamenting, "I chose you to stay here / Don't settle for what they made you." This suggests an effort to protect someone from external forces, yet that protection ultimately backfires. The lines "Why'd I let you out? / Why'd I let you go?" are a clear expression of remorse, indicating the narrator feels responsible for unleashing something harmful, something that has left them feeling "all wrinkled up." The imagery of driving, running, and the question "do they have horns?" evokes a sense of pursuit and potential danger. The "crazy eyeless" figures rushing to meet the narrator add to the unsettling atmosphere. This could be interpreted as the relentless approach of consequences or the distorted perception of those who seek to exploit vulnerability. The line "Trade occupation when old" is a cryptic suggestion of roles shifting over time, perhaps hinting at a cycle of manipulation and regret that repeats itself. Ultimately, "Motion Sickness Ghosts" taps into the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of bad decisions, haunted by the repercussions of choices made with good intentions but devastating results.