Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Manhattan On Mute” by Cheap Girls
Cheap Girls’ “Manhattan on Mute” is an ode to a city that’s always in motion and never seems to slow down. The narrator of the song yearns for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, but knows that this isn’t possible and longs for a chance to press the mute button to start again.
The opening lyrics of the song introduce us to the narrator’s ennui. He expresses his desire to get away from the city, to “empty the banks and leave town,” and find some kind of escape. He knows, however, that this isn’t a possibility. The chorus drives this point home: “Manhattan on mute / Everybody, everybody’s got something to do,” he sings. In this case, the city of Manhattan is a metaphor for life itself, and no matter how hard you try to press mute, life will keep on going.
The lyrics of the second verse emphasize the narrator’s longing for a break from the relentless cycle of trying to make it in the big city. He’s symptomatic of “living through the motions that don’t mean anything,” and despite the fact that he has a certain level of success, he’s still unable to fully enjoy it. He wants to break free and go back to simpler times, to the days of “playing instrumentals on Sunday,” but he knows this is impossible.
The bridge of the song serves as a resolution to this narrative of escape. The narrator has come to the realization that his dreams of escape are only a fantasy, and has accepted his place in the city. He sings, “nothing less than I expect / nothing more than I need.” He no longer yearns for a way out of the city, but rather he is content with his life and the world around him.
The lyrics of “Manhattan on Mute” evoke a feeling of existential longing and a deep appreciation for life in the hustle and bustle of the big city. Despite the frustrations that the narrator feels, the song ends on a note of acceptance and contentment. The narrator has come to grips with the realities of city life and has accepted his place within it.