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Hysteria Lyrics

Tick-tock, sweat, switch up the fingers,
Those silly integers; always on vacation.
I didn't think it was a bad idea,
I just couldn't figure out how to make the phone work.

That said, it was no different from the others,
Except that this is now and that was then and everything
Seems to repeat in a cyclical pattern,
I hum myself to misery and wish these words against my pillow.

"I will try not to lose control."

Hysteria, hysteria, it's happening again.
I fall apart, I fall apart, I'm back where I began.
If it were anybody else but you, I would not be afraid.
A total calamity--the choices I have made.

Rip, scrape, slash, burn up the courage,
That tawny, yellow cat--always on vacation.
I wish I hadn't been so damn obscure,
I just tried too hard for the perfect word score.

Can't stand it, end up cursing out the covers,
A little J&B for restless leg in effigy.
Damn you, camera and your lack of emotion,
I sling my blades at everyone,
Collect their heads and run for cover.

Hysteria, hysteria, it's happening again.
I fall apart, I fall apart, I'm back where I began.
If it were anybody else but you, I would not be afraid.
A total calamity--the choices I have made.

Come help me figure it out,
Come help me get it right this time around.
If you can figure it out,
Then you could help me loosen up and get me off the ground.

Hysteria, hysteria, it's happening again.
I fall apart, I fall apart, I'm back where I began.
If it were anybody else but you, I would not be afraid.
A total calamity--the choices I have made.
A total calamity--the choices I have made.
A total calamity--the choices I have made.
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Cover art for Hysteria lyrics by Motion City Soundtrack

The synth almost sounds like Hysteria-Muse bassline too haha.

Really great song, the lyrics are difficult to decipher at first glance, but the instrumentals are definitely catchy.

Cover art for Hysteria lyrics by Motion City Soundtrack

Toastandbananas, is that even English?

Anyhow, this song is about anxiety, a familiar theme in their lyrics. In particular, this one is about the anxiety associated with trying to call a girl.

He cannot bring his fingers to dial the phone number. Integers on vacation refers to the numbers, and despite him knowing there is no logical reason for him to not go through with it, the anxiety is paralyzing. You can tell it's a girl "if it were anybody else but you, I would not be afraid" that is the one causing this hysteria.

The tawny yellow cat refers to a lion, so he is alluding to to courage always being on vacation. Trying too hard for the perfect word score is trying to come up with what to say on the phone. When you get nervous, you try to plan out the conversation ahead of time, and it has to be perfect, but you just overthink it and never get anywhere.

The panic drives him to drink "a little J&B". In the end, he wishes that she could initiate something, loosen him up, get him off the ground. Many times the way anxiety afflicts someone is not in a way that they cannot hold a conversation, but it's initiating a conversation. It's the most terrifying thing, but once you get into it, everything is fine and you can just relax.

Cover art for Hysteria lyrics by Motion City Soundtrack

just to let you guys know, <b>these <i>are</i> the official lyrics from the lyric book</b>. okay? enjoy

Cover art for Hysteria lyrics by Motion City Soundtrack

Does know else really wanna know what the hell "That tawny-yellow cat- always on vacation" is referring too? Because i do. someone help.

Oh also, is the perfect word score a scrabble thing or what?

I NEED TO KNOW.