Tarquin’s Half-assed Mission Statement

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone grappling with the process of learning and creation, initially focusing on the foundational elements of language and sound. There's a stated intent to "build them up and break them down," suggesting a methodical approach to understanding how things work. This methodical intent, however, feels at odds with a later admission that "this whole thing inconsistent" and a "constant lack of repetition." The narrator seems to be wrestling with the very structure they aim to master. The core tension emerges from a desire for improvement versus a perceived inability or unwillingness to commit fully. Phrases like "If I wanted to try harder" and "If I wanted more from everything" hint at unfulfilled potential or a lack of genuine effort. This is juxtaposed with a resigned acceptance of imperfection, embodied by "Tarquin knows, he makes them every day." The narrator appears to be caught between an ideal of diligent learning and the reality of making "stupid mistakes." The most striking aspect is the narrator's apparent nostalgia for difficulty: "I miss the day things were harder." This sentiment, directed at