Heart Cooks Brain

Modest Mouse's song 'Heart Cooks Brain' delves into the complex interplay between emotion and rationality, using vivid metaphors and a stream-of-consciousness lyrical style. The song's title itself suggests a conflict where the heart, representing emotions, influences or 'cooks' the brain, symbolizing logic and thought. This theme is evident throughout the lyrics, where the singer describes a journey filled with confusion and introspection.

The lyrics 'My brain's the burger and my heart's the coal' and 'My brain's the weak heart, and my heart's the long stairs' illustrate the struggle between the mind and the heart. The brain is depicted as something that can be consumed or weakened, while the heart is portrayed as a source of energy or a challenging path. This duality reflects the internal conflict many people experience when trying to balance their feelings with their thoughts.

The imagery of ravens and seagulls pushing each other 'inward and outward' adds to the sense of turmoil and constant motion. These birds, often seen as symbols of different aspects of life and death, suggest a cyclical nature of internal conflict. The line 'The match of the century: Absence versus thin air' further emphasizes the existential struggle, hinting at the futility and emptiness that can accompany such battles.

In essence, 'Heart Cooks Brain' captures the essence of human experience, where the heart and mind are in a perpetual dance, influencing each other in ways that are both profound and perplexing. The song's introspective nature and rich metaphors invite listeners to reflect on their own internal conflicts and the passage of time, as highlighted by the closing line, 'The years go fast and the days go so slow.'