Here

Pavement's song "Here" delves into the disillusionment and irony surrounding the pursuit of success. The opening lines, "I was dressed for success / But success it never comes," set the tone for the entire song, highlighting the futility and frustration of striving for an elusive goal. The narrator's laughter at bad jokes, which are a metaphor for life's disappointments, underscores a sense of resignation and acceptance of mediocrity. This theme is further emphasized by the repeated line, "But they're not as bad as this," suggesting that the reality of their situation is even worse than the trivial failures they mock.

The chorus, "Come join us in a prayer / We'll be waiting, waiting where / Everything's ending here," evokes a sense of communal despair and a search for solace in shared experiences. The imagery of an empty dock and rain on the forehead paints a bleak picture of abandonment and melancholy. The line, "Let's spend our last quarter stance randomly," suggests a sense of aimlessness and the futility of trying to control one's fate. This randomness is a recurring motif in the song, symbolizing the unpredictability and chaos of life.

The second verse introduces more vivid and surreal imagery, such as "Painted portraits of minions and slaves / Crotch-mavens and one-night plays," which critiques the superficial and transient nature of societal roles and relationships. The mention of "Spanish candles unsold" and a "run-on piece of mount" adds to the sense of decay and impermanence. The song concludes with a reflection on past experiences, "Last time, last time / Was the best time / We spent randomly," suggesting that even the best moments are fleeting and ultimately insignificant. Pavement's "Here" is a poignant exploration of the ironies and disappointments of life, wrapped in a melancholic yet ironically detached tone.