Hit the Plane Down
| Title | Hit the Plane Down |
|---|---|
| Artist | Pavement |
| Album | Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain |
| Release Date | 1994-02-14 |
| Description | The title, “Hit the Plane Down”, invokes a vivid image. The image in the listener’s mind connotes anger and death. The phrase could be a command, with the singer ordering someone to destroy the plane. It is unknown whether the plane is literal or figurative-it may just be a metaphor for destructive behavior. The majority of Pavement’s material was written by front-man Stephen Malkmus. Guitarist and background vocalist Scott Kannberg penned “Hit the Plane Down”, also performing lead vocals. This led to the altered instrumentation and tone of the song. As mentioned previously, this song is instrumentally different from the other songs on the album. The heavy use of bass guitar gives the song a darker, moodier feel than those also on the album. Kannberg’s voice is distorted somewhat adding to that darker theme of the song. The song “Hit the Plane Down” alludes to drugs and the powers they possess. However, based on the band’s stance on drugs, it could be implied that the drugs are an extended metaphor for 90s rock culture. In this song, drugs are personified in order to show the devastation a they can wreak on a society – taking control of the scene. This could be directly related to the power major labels had over bands during the 90s. Major record labels had control of image, tour schedules, and even the sound of bands – they made every decision for the band. Similarly, a person under the influence of drugs is unable to make decisions – the drugs make all the decisions. The use of the metaphor implies Pavement’s stand on both 90s rock culture, as well as drugs themselves. Both are painted in a negative light – as resolute powers that are a force to be reckoned with. |
| Lyrics | [Verse 1] I'm up on a hill top where I Keep you in sight, my little toys I buried you because the sun Will melt them Got you up my sleeve Got you up my sleeve Got you up my sleeve Got you up my sleeve Got you up my sleeve [Chorus] Hit the plane down Hit the plane down Hit the plane down Taking over [Verse 2] Taking over your life I'm taking over your scene Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I hope you see my face I hope you see my face [Chorus] Hit the plane down Hit the plane down Hit the plane down (Taking over) There's no survivors There's no survivors You might also like[Bridge] Don't even snow (We're not that disturbed) Don't even snow [Chorus] Hit the plane down Hit the plane down I hit the plane down No survivors No survivors! Nobody arrived [Verse 3] I'm taking over your life I'm taking over the scene I'm taking everything All I wanted it all My little trick I wouldn't mind just a milligram up my sleeve I've got you up my sleeve I've got you up my sleeve I've got you up my sleeve [Chorus] Hit the plane down Hit the plane down Hit the plane down There's no survivors [Verse 4] Taking over your life Taking over your life I'm taking over the scene I'm taking everything I'm taking everything I'm taking over [Outro] I've got to melt it I've got to melt it I've got to melt it Hit the plane down Hit the plane down There's no survivors There's no survivors |