When the robin makes his nest
But I ain't never coming back Weezer – Butterfly
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This is perhaps the most direct reference to Madama Butterfly in the song. Before Pinkerton leaves, he tells Butterfly that he will return when robins make their nest. She has hoped for that day for years but the time has come and gone. She even asks Sharpless (an American consul) if robins make their nest at a different time in America because she refuses to give up hope.
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I did what my body told me to
I didn't mean to do you harm Weezer – Butterfly
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The “I’m sorry for what I did” line refers to when Pinkerton does finally return but with his new American wife. He sees how devoted Butterfly has been and realizes his cruelty. His ultimate remorse comes when Butterfly commits suicide when she realizes that he no longer loves her and is taking away her child with him.
With a sword in her lap, Cho-Cho-San (Butterfly) prepares to commit suicide.
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This song has very blatant references to Madama Butterfly, an opera by Giacomo Puccini. A detailed analysis between the album and the play is available here.
“Caught a lovely butterfly” refers to the character from the play, Pinkerton, choosing to marry Butterfly, a 15 year old geisha. He fell in love, or lust with her when he first saw her and paid so she could be his wife.
Geraldine Farrar as Madama Butterfly, 1907
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Yes, hate will eat us alive
If we let it, no, we won't let it Deap Vally – End of the World
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Of a rock 'n' roll band
Who'll throw it all away Oasis – Don't Look Back in Anger
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What is this?
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What is this?
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Neutral Milk Hotel’s lo-fi yet sonically eclectic and emotionally wrought classic In the Aeroplane Over the Sea was released fifteen years ago. Their biggest fan, Parks and Recreation’s April Ludgate nearly destroyed her relationship with Andy in season three when she declared Neutral Milk Hotel her favorite band (instead of Mouse Rat) and its singer/songwriter/genius Jeff Mangum her favorite rock star (instead of Andy). She graciously passed on this characteristically grumpy and yet earnest appreciation of the album through Parks’ showrunner Mike Schur. Let this introduce a new type of music writing into the Pitchfork era: crankicism.
(Article originally published on Vulture)
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