Pieces Of What

MGMT's 'Pieces Of What' delves into the disintegration of a once-coherent reality, exploring themes of loss, disillusionment, and the search for meaning amidst chaos. The song opens with a sense of paralysis and wrongness, suggesting a world that has turned cold and unfeeling. The 'cold blooded claws' symbolize a harsh, indifferent force that offers no solace or support. This imagery sets the stage for a narrative of emotional and existential fragmentation, where love has been shattered and the protagonist is left to pick up the pieces, though the nature of these pieces remains ambiguous.

The recurring question, 'pieces of what,' underscores the uncertainty and confusion that pervades the song. It reflects a struggle to understand what has been lost and what remains worth salvaging. The moonlight shining through the roof and the city being surrounded evoke a sense of entrapment and exposure, as if the protagonist is under constant scrutiny or threat. Despite this, there is a moment of liberation as fear is forgotten and feelings resurface, only to be buried again by the falling pieces. This cyclical pattern of rising hope and subsequent despair highlights the difficulty of finding stability in a fractured world.

The final verse introduces more cryptic imagery with 'dragon's teeth' and 'shallow water steel,' possibly alluding to mythological or historical references that signify conflict and waiting. The mention of 'Belgian gates' could be a nod to World War I, symbolizing a waiting period filled with anticipation and dread. Ultimately, 'Pieces Of What' captures the essence of trying to make sense of a broken world, where the fragments of what once was are scattered and their significance is lost in the process of trying to rebuild or understand them.