The Meaning of Gorillaz and Song Machine (LYRICAL REVIEW AND ANALYSIS)

[@skidward2960]

we need a deep analysis of the movie "Bandz On The Run"

[@JMB.831]

Paul McCartney reference of the silly bandz movie

[@alexdallas7702]

instablaster

[@-Lola.]

I believe Murdoc canonically wrote Désolé, almost as a way to apologize without having to face everyone. He wants to change but doesn’t know how

[@PhoenixNiteheart]

I totally agree. And it seems pretty evident from Murdoc's perspective: walking about in a distraught, disassociated state, crying on the couch in a fetal position, etc. But because he can't say it outright, the others are oblivious and carry on with enjoying their day, leaving Murdoc not only feeling alone, but BEING alone.

[@durgolava3996]

That's exactly what I thought

[@crazycadet133]

But now he's got them all brainwashed in a cult? Or at least that's what I got from their newest song. Ik the connent is outdated but it puts a new perspective on the song

[@BLOODMOONX_X]

I agree, although I think that Désolé is an apologetic song that Murdoc wrote for 2D. Not everyone.

[@littlethera448]

With Desole I think it isn't from 2D's perspective, but Murdoc's. Murdoc is sorry for he did to the bandmembers (especially 2D) and feels sad watching the bandmembers having fun and spending time without him. That's my take on it. Desole is my favourite song on the album, tied as my favourite song with Feel Good Inc.

[@emily65017]

See I think that aswell with the pink phantom. With the it's me! Then some of the lyrics "you've forgotten me this summer" the videos have left Murdoc out (desole) and you can visually see hes upset. Idk if this is what has been said, writing this I'm only on the strange timez part. Anyways thank you

[@inky6445]

I COMPLETELY AGREE!!

[@Rattlehead8]

Makes sense

[@George_Harris_SR25]

@@emily65017 that’s true plus at the end of the pink phantom Murdoc appears since he is now the one who is never the band member in each song of the album.

[@emily65017]

@@George_Harris_SR25 yeah, exactly!?

[@TheLazysketcher]

I keep listening to "The lost chord", and i just feel like the lyrics are written like from the viewpoint of a plant! Being kept in a pot and gets taken out every summer to the yard. "Take me into the garden", "At this time of year, im always in the yard" and "Move me somewhere i can see the sunlight". That might just be my botanist mind though.

[@jaxonswove7466]

That’s probably symbolic at the least, seems intentional!

[@AnthonyMunguia]

The fact that Cyborg Noodle appearance in this video somehow correlate to what they said the ending of her was “i use her head as a pot for plants” or something like when she was asked what happened to Cyborg Noodle.

[@Vincentzw]

I like this idea! Wonder if it’s a metaphor for something else. I don’t think the mine is “in the yard” though.

[@TheLazysketcher]

@@Vincentzw I know, my ears are straight up busted!

[@krisbies]

I hear it as someone trying to deal with addiction, while also being unable to forget the problems that made them start it

[@G.reviewz]

Damon did also say he wants to make songs when he really wants to. Not to make them to just make them. So good on him.

[@viktorcordyceps1978]

He keeps talking about generic "lovers" but in my interpretation this theme seems to obviously be about 2D and Murdoc's relationship

[@fizzpeak123]

Fun fact: apprently Noodle destroyed the billboard due to hating advertising.

[@Nieladuermes]

Didn't she do a whole watch ad-

[@fizzpeak123]

@@Nieladuermes ironic

[@calumbishop7082]

That or its a reference to the song 'Magic City' from the previous album and the line 'Look there's a billboard on the moon'

[@Alex_Off-Beat]

@@Nieladuermes that doesn't necessarily mean she liked it...

[@andrewa8161]

it's more she hates consumerism

[@juanaarreola4880]

What I love about Song Machine is that none of the music is similar, and neither are the videos. They each have different vibes and genres and styles. It’s so different than other albums and music videos. It has deeper meanings, and sometimes no meaning at all. It’s a masterpiece.

[@HoodoHoodlumsRevenge]

Dude, loved this video and especially the fantastic editing on display! It was great hearing your thoughts and interpretations of each track, so all around, great work and well worth the wait!

[@PaperADRiAN]

Exactly, the editing is so well done, I really enjoyed watching!

[@PhobeStarz]

Wait,I know you

[@Chensoman]

I have waited 4- No, 5,000 years for this !

[@allseeingaids9734]

Is that- Is that a-

[@Chensoman]

@@allseeingaids9734 YES! YES! YES! YES!

[@southmelbournedimmy5237]

Oh Golly gosh

[@GR1MM_REAPER]

Hehe. Jo

[@timothygagecomedian68]

Daaaaaang, you must be a wizard to live 5,000 years for this moment.

[@callista5856]

gorillaz lore makes me want to cry sometimes

[@daisyithink]

for the song ‘momentary bliss’ i believe it is about how social media makes us believe we should look and act a certain way. the line ‘it makes me sick to think you ain’t happy in your skin’ give the idea that we should be happy with the body we have and not try to change it for anyone or anything. this theme would also fit in nicely to the rest of the album’s theme of being well known or popular in a certain industry (this could be music or modeling etc). this is just my personal take on the song :)

[@tomatozest6074]

to me, it seems like the person 2D is singing about is Murdoc; likewise, we see Murdoc throughout the music videos having similar thoughts to 2D. For instance, in the pink phantom, we see Murdoc chasing the phantom in the backround, like he’s trying to hold onto the same memories 2D is singing about, but its far too late for anything they might have had. or in Desole, while 2D is trying to apologize to himself and move on from the years of abuse Murdoc put him through, we see Murdoc by himself in the boat, looking for, presumably, 2D, only to find that he’s gone. then, he starts crying because *he's* sorry for all the things he put 2D through, but there’s no way to ever undo it; the two are in an impossible situation. 2D has decided to move on, while Murdoc is still holding on to what little is left of their relationship.

[@Faick99999]

Funny how people predicted the link between The Last Chord and Plastic Beach, look at the last music video planned for Strange Timez !

[@evanmccarty4079]

I always felt "Chalk Tablet Towers" was about someone committed and/or in rehab, the chalk tablets possibly being the medication they're given. They committed themself and want to get better but they still want their substances and feels isolated from the outside world, making them want to give up and go home to get high and reconnect. Their biggest worry is that their friends might drop them from their lives because they got clean and disappeared for 5 months. They try to assure themself that wont happen, but nobody has visited yet and that is what they truly want more than anything.

[@Neuroticmancer]

You misunderstood momentary bliss. The song is saying we ‘deserve so much better than’ living in ‘moments of momentary bliss’. It saying you deserve ‘school dinners’ and the mentions of rent are describing how we each have to spend so much of our life to work to pay the bills and live and that social safety nets should exist to support us to facilitate a greater, more substantially joyous life than just suffering with intermittent momentary bliss

[@Ardilla0041]

also to take note that we are mediocre for pushing the toothpaste from the middle, that is related to strage times to be the change

[@faqih9685]

7:30 that's a fanmade 2D account, the only member who had instagram is Noodle. but overall good video!!

[@no-ri3bv]

It’s sweet that Noodle made a 2D fan account

[@baziliskyy]

really? that page has a lot of promos and teasers and even edits of 2D over someone's body (which i presume is damon), it looks pretty real

[@ijustventhere6460]

I think 2D was talking about his addiction to painkillers instead, since his addiction to that is p canon

[@darthbane5676]

This is a good analysis. The only thing I’d add is that at least some of the songs may have canonically been written by Murdoc, not 2-D. Murdoc thinks of himself as the band’s leader, and although he’s just the bass player on stage, he’s the one who put the band together in the first place. He may seem like a psychotic devil worshipper, and maybe he kind of is, but he’s proven himself in the past to be capable of introspection and critical of society. Before Song Machine, he was behind bars for a while, and his band, finally free of his bad behavior, replaced him with a Powerpuff Girls villain and kept going without him. I’d imagine he’d have plenty to say to his band after that, starting with “désolé.”

[@eliasgaydecka535]

for me, the absolute highlight was Desolé. Great video btw, got some insights into this music I hadn´t noticed before!

[@nicomeins2608]

Aries is also a codename for heroin... Imo that fits the interpretation here so well, murdoc and his thinking of the past (pacman) might be his heroin. He might also be a literal heroin addict at the same time, at least Damon has taken it to boost his creativity. So maybe he’s addicted to all this and needs it but it’s destroying him like heroin destroys the addict at the same time

[@dildonius]

"Aries is a codename for heroin." *[CITATION NEEDED]*

[@nicomeins2608]

@@dildonius lmao i’m not writing a paper here look it up yourself

[@liam_betrus1175]

This video is so well made and really beautifully edited. Thanks you for making this amazing review.

[@timblom7364]

I also have a lot of connection to Aries, It's one of those songs where I would not change a thing, but it also just connects to me emotionally, it's my favorite song of the year

[@zer0vini]

Just wanted to add that MAYBE the song is called Pac-Man because it's Pac-Man's 40th anniversary in 2020. I guess it's some reference for that, since any other game in the 80's could be referenced, I guess

[@mistyeyes204]

Sorry i know this was two years ago, but maybe they chose pac man because ghosts are chasing after him, and the ghosts in the video are depicted as the other band members, probably symbolizing that they always tormented him (although noodle is there who did not do that) and it shows him getting addicted to the game, like how he got addicted to pain meds because of murdoc, but idk lol

[@CyberSoulgem]

your videos are always such a treat dude, this album (season?) just really captures the melancholy of 2020, and how despite us all feeling trapped, there's still hope for the future

[@klar7566]

Wow, I'm glad that song was kinda bout belarus. The President chose to ignore the votes and reelect himself again, people went out on a peaceful protest and got beaten and arrested by government forces.

[@klar7566]

Oh, and they shut off the internet so people couldn't tell what really happened, strange timez

[@Jaqenhgar222]

Award for goofiest pronunciation of Belarus, lol.

[@lateralhistory]

Me: where tf is Belariss? OHH, *BELARUS*

[@yaboichris1247]

I thought Momentary Bliss was about self image and self consciousness over appearances. "It makes me sick to think you ent happy in your skin" "you're a turkey twizzler(?) you deserve school dinners." "We can do so much better than this, mausoleum faces and Momentary bliss" I think it is about a hypothetical girl who tries to change how she looks (Her name is Rita obviously) but I can also see where he talks about moving on and that things will get better "it's weird thing to think light bulbs don't blink, it just flickers, so dim and it pops" I might be wrong though.

[@rein9430]

In machine bitez, 2-D states that the name "Rita" was derived from the word brevity

[@carolinabarros1523]

I agree to most of your analysis. This new album, like the others ( plastic beach especially!) is a dead on criticism of society in general, and the harm humans do to themselves, one another, and the planet. Love love love the idea behind each song they put into existence!

[@SillyTeaSeal]

I see rain's coming down At this time of year, I'm always in need of Of silent waves (silent waves) The pulse on your face The lost chord The lost chord

[@zeepsterd]

SPECIAL THANKS (Check them out!): To the editor: twitter.com/milkfiend1 milkfiend1.carrd.co/ Co-writer: twitter.com/ratbastardinc

[@celeri6497]

the french word désolé does mean sorry, but it can also mean stranded, like on a deserted island. so the name of désolé is actually a dual meaning

[@RojoDawg31]

The lost chord could be about 2D working his hardest on this song, and coming into contact with “the Garden” a place that brings ideas. Leee John being the guide, chained too the garden/ 2D’s mind only knowing music. 2D’s going “harder,harder” to write a song that like David could please the Lord. Could be why Leee John says he wants his chains broken, he wants to be able to think about anything not just this “Lost Chord”

[@charlie-kt8li]

in my opinion the lost chord in a lore prospective it's fills in the lost info on plastic beach so the music video and how some of the lyrics describe what happend to 2D in the plastic beach phase but really the lost chord part is what actually happend to plastic because and now we found that chord I guess idk if that makes sense but that's how I see the song and music video. Also rad video man

[@charlie-kt8li]

I mean like how the plastic beach was destroyed and we finally got an end so yh

[@Thephinxst]

Amazing job, Zeep!

[@samsonmcharaly8536]

I agree with you. And I commented

[@pessimisticoptimist3107]

Damn, no discussion on Opium? It's one of the best tracks despite being the 1st of all the deluxe tracks. Not to mention, it continues where Momentary Bliss left off with themes of hoping for a better future and working on self.

[@MidnightTheOne]

Amazing track , the line "hope the radiant light is shining on you" is literally hope

[@tortoile]

this is a great video! i love the editing and your style!

[@aperson1]

About the comment on the red light waiting to turn green in Aries- I got the impression that they were drawing some parallels to stoplights, with the red light literally stopping him from doing what he wants/has to do, and awaiting some kind of external source to allow him to continue forwards. Less analysis than just musings on own personal stuff- I personally have some habitual major procrastination issues from chronic anxiety stuff, and I've caught myself many a time just sitting there, knowing exactly what I want to do, and even still I'm sitting there, waiting for something to happen - I don't know what - for me to start. I know that's not something most people deal with quite so prevalently, but as with all things I expect there's some sort of version of that everyone encounters at some point in their life.

[@cheesewizz_]

wake up babe, zeepsterd just uploaded

[@NeverDie-q4w]

Always a delight seeing your vids man, I adore your analizing and editing style

[@extremehawk0128]

You guys remember when 2d was missing his teeth or when murdoc wasnt green

[@oddfreaks6452]

You’re analysis is amazing! I agree with points on The Lost Chord, I’m not much of an analyzer, I mostly thought this was their “Holy sh- this happened and we never really talked about it” moment. Their coming to terms, or beginning to, realize Plastic Beach was nuts. Noodle was in hell getting out, can’t remember what Russel was going through, Murdoc and 2d were being chased by bounty hunters (BRUCE WILLIS) and killers, and then it all came to a head in Rhinestone eyes )animatics). Death, destruction, their lives were really at risk. The fact that Cyborg Noodle was STILL on Plastic Beach like 10 years later is...sad. Murdoc sheds TEARS at her, and she’s not even DEAD!!! They probably are gonna have a long discussion back home about...all of that maybe. Idk, but that’s how I saw it. You’re video is still really good :)

[@RobotPilots]

Song Machine: Stockholm Syndrome

[@squeallymaniac]

Really good analysis of an underrated album. Well done 👏🏻

[@johnnytuxen6281]

we need an analysis of "all i want for christmas is you"

[@zeepsterd]

I hope crazy frog will suffice

[@hgbguy]

yeah but why at the end of humility does russel trip up 2D explain that one.

[@zeepsterd]

Because Russell is a meanie

[@mudkiporsomething9755]

2D was becoming too big for his britches, so russel had to knock him down a peg

[@stevenscottdubrowski7473]

Yeah, 2d is doing better cause murdock is gone but misses him. Happens when your abuser leaves.

[@Chickywave]

I love Simplicity, from what i've listened on the song, it says to find happines or peace on simple things, like they say in the rain inside this song, that's why i like this albums so much It tells you about being dependant, on drugs, alcohol or a person, then tells you to find happiness in yourself or the simple things in life

[@TtheRbt]

I kind of thought that maybe 2d and murdoc took turns making the songs in the album. Like desole is maybe by murdoc, lost chord is probably by 2d. But it’s just speculation and I don’t have that big of a brain percentage to think straight

[@phospadparadschaa]

this is a beautiful and thoughtful analysis. thank you for this compelling and wonderful video essay. one thing about dead butterflies after you spoke about it, and spoke its meaning of transformation, i thought of all the hopes and transformations i and so many of my dear friends hoped for in this year. 2020 was the year that was supposed to make us into beautiful, new, sociable people, thriving in our own pursuits and careers and classes and lives. but then the pandemic hit and we all lost our hope of blossoming into that butterfly. while it may not be the meaning of the song, i can relate to it in that way of regret and grieving what could have been.

[@_shenanigans_8337]

Can’t believe I wasn’t subbed when basically everything in this channel is good

[@frozenburrito2.087]

Wow Gorillaz songs are so much deeper than I originally thought. I used to think, "Funny animated band make catchy song" But now I know: 2-D is addicted to drugs, struggling with the past, and literally got both his eyes knocked out by an abusive friend. Murdoc is a wanted criminal, grew up with an abusive father, and almost drowned in sewage trying to escape jail. Noodle is an orphan who got brainwashed. Russel survived a drive by shooting and got possessed by his dead friend. I don't know anything about Ace, but I believe he knew the Powerpuff Girls. Gorillaz has more lore than my whole life.

[@sanguchito5170]

Man, loved your video! Worth the wait! 💞

[@Kirbyisdagoat]

I really enjoyed the editing, great video!

[@soph812]

Damn, I have never heard a bad Gorillaz song. I have songs I don’t like much, but they’re all amazing! Damon is a genius!

[@reedthegr8andpowerfullm797]

5: Valley of the Pagans 4: Pink Phantom 3: Desole 2: PAC man 1: Aries My personal top five

[@PortSDG]

banger video mister zeepsterd :)

[@gtanow741]

A good video to watch 25 minutes before the new episode of Song Machine!

[@felwintersd2679]

And how did that turn out for us? 😂

[@limnakama]

I've been looking forward to this!

[@catloaff]

Great video! I love your interpretation of Aries and The Pink Phantom :D

[@Thelondona81]

In summary: 2-D is suffering as f*ck. Gorillaz is beyond this time, they are the best 🔥

[@GenAqua]

I HATE Paula and what she did to 2D...not that Murdoc isn't just as guilty, but she's the main cause of it. I hope he can find peace and move on with his life. Also Rachel, for abandoning 2-D.

[@the_real_dalton_oats]

Incredible video, It deserves way more views!

[@zeepsterd]

Thank you!

[@jedo-defunct8]

great analysis. and yeah, aries is just too bootiful to look past

[@rubbergamer5092]

7:18 2-D's got the new Iphone xv7.

[@uhggchild1425]

“Life moves too fast if you don’t stop and look around once in a while- you’ll miss it”

[@miaumisumiau]

i love how he's talking about something serious but I cant take it seriously because 2d is literally dancing like a dying spider in the back

[@holgerlarsson7531]

1:18 Editing here was sliiiick

[@shereelouiseneil2293]

Top video! Thank u 😊

[@thedipermontshow]

Ngl, Aries *is* The best song from the song machine and it was a great song for surviving 2020 to be totally honest. Loved the video man.

[@zeepsterd]

Thank you!

[@jmes3242]

you're gorillaz analysis video's are really good!!!

[@theresefort5824]

Excuse me I’m just gonna go cry real fast...

[@dangereternally]

I think Desole is also about murdoc and basically him being sorry

[@sorenolsen9281]

Yes but what about MLS? What does "Super Gorilla" mean, zeepsterd? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

[@impulse1955]

Make a part 2 including the deluxe tracks and the last music vids that aren't out yet

[@fizzpeak123]

The Lost Chord is gonna be the last video

[@angellol682]

Nice video men

[@user-od3mq7yd2x]

LETS GO

[@erikbeuk900]

If you look closely you can see a video between the ad's

[@arigold844]

Great video 😁

[@boyamitired9392]

you consistently upload great vids, how do you do it

[@robiu013]

i really need to get into this album. listened to it twice until now and it's promising, but i feel more like listening to hipster black metal at work and afterwards i play games. on a side note: i'm not an english speaker, but i don't think belarus gets pronounced that way. it should be more like bella roose, the break between bela and rus is important, i think, cause belarus should mean white russia (bela = white, rus = russia).

[@Vi-Vi-Kitty]

This needs more attaention. You need more attention!!

[@zeepsterd]

Thank you!!

[@pixelat3dofficial]

You should make a video for the Machine Bites!

[@Luna-qe9do]

Love the video! Just thought i’d tell you that the 2D instagram is actually fan made :o

[@zaqn357]

Jesus, this whole album is so sad💀 your vid explains why i stuck to like?? The first 3 songs in the series

[@eastplnes5158]

I loved the video but... ITS BELL-A-ROOS

[@rileyscherer129]

I was looking for this comment

[@zeepsterd]

WHOOPS

[@I.n.g.l.o.r.i.o.u.s]

Now because of this I think Momentary bliss is a good closer

[@shereelouiseneil2293]

I love your voice ever since blur days when a kid and love your voice even more now... Damon

[@Popilishis]

I agree with all except for lost chord, nice vid tho

[@nilnada5773]

Momentary Bliss fehkin slaps ok thats all i had to say bye

[@BingeNews]

dope!

[@dillonlee1164]

Nice man

[@jayandsilentbob2789]

Hey zeepsterd 😳 do you like blur or oasis?

[@zeepsterd]

A little more of an Oasis fan, but both are good!

[@jayandsilentbob2789]

@@zeepsterd POG

[@kitkat1774]

The “alrighty” joke was a funny references lmao😂

[@Surepeacooler]

Can't wait for cracker island

[@aribeo_o9884]

You should review plastic beach. Its I just wonder what your point of view would be on the album

[@mechagodzillasson5367]

i interpreted desolé as murdoc being genuinely sorry and wanting to be better even though at first noodle and russel are skeptical like in aries he eventually gains their trust and that’s why in lost chord 2d reaches his hand out to him

[@JoeMama-rf1fs]

Lore ways yes

[@kayleemoon._6045]

Fun fact: pagan is also a witchcraft based religion, I’m still deciding on wether or not I’m pagan or Wiccan tbh, wicca is also a witchcraft based religion

[@kayleemoon._6045]

@Crow no look up witchcraft religions, the main two are paganism and Wicca

[@NLewis-iz1jb]

I don’t think Aries was released first I do believe it was momentary bliss

[@spooked3846]

he’s saying it’s the first episode to come out after covid took over the world