Mother Nature

In 'Mother Nature', MGMT muses on the personal and existential quandaries that define the human experience. They set the scene by juxtaposing mundane activities like putting down groceries with profound thoughts about existence and recognition. There is a sense of seeking beyond the ordinary, a yearning to comprehend the intricacies of life and one's purpose within it. The artists navigate through their own consciousness, torching fields metaphorically, which might represent destruction for rebirth or self-realization.

The chorus of the song introduces the idea of transformation and the courage to change perspectives — 'unwrap that tourniquet 'round the sun' — suggesting a release of restraints on one's worldview to let vibrant, raw experience flood in. This notion reflects the underlying tension between the comfort of the known and the thrill or necessity of embracing change. MGMT seems to understand the reluctance that comes with stepping into the unfamiliar, even when it promises a brighter, more colorful existence.

In the second verse, MGMT walks us down 'billionaire's row', likely a commentary on the extremes of wealth and the struggle for moral balance in a materialistic world. The reassurance they provide — 'We'll write the fairytale for the rest of our lives' — touches on the human ambition to architect one's destiny despite the precariousness of life. The language remains poetic, their images intense and vivid, adding to the emotional depth of the journey they are illustrating.

The post-chorus and bridge sections offer a moment of solidarity. MGMT extends a metaphorical hand to the listener, recognizing the solitude that often comes with self-exploration — 'But you need a friend to take you home.' They urge us to 'begin again,' implying both the potential for renewal and the questionable consequences of our actions around societal and environmental concerns. The tension crescendoes with a sense of urgency before settling into a resigned understanding in the final chorus.