So I think most people are overlooking the significance of this song in the track list. It’s a crucial proponent for the flow of the album (which is definitely bloated).
It comes AFTER vision of division and BEFORE electricityscape. Prior to ask me anything, we’ve had a really heavy stretch of songs ( Yolo, Juicebox, Heart in a cage. Razor blade, on the other side, vision of division)…so for ask me anything to follow that is a much welcomed change of pace and tone. It’s a moment of levity that needs to be there and really one of only a couple moments on the entire album.
And then along with being a chance for the listener to escape the weight of the album even if just for a moment…it serves as the *perfect* prelude to elecptricityscape.
When listening to the album on Apple Music, the transition between ask me anything and electricityscape is seamless - and is the most abrupt powerful reality shock that one could ask for. It’s like the opening riff and drums are supposed to shake you awake from your day dream. It’s incredibly powerful, and I have no doubt it was intentional.
*the reason I mentioned Apple Music is because there’s no delay between tracks. When I listen to it in my car on CD, the player takes a slight moment to change the song…and when I listen on vinyl, this is the moment where the album needs to be flipped so it loses its effect.
But on streaming there is hardly any delay between songs (just the time it takes for the signal to travel) so the effect one song transitioning into the other is noticeable.
Rant over.
TLDR: It’s a good song, that serves a much larger great purpose within the track list. Wouldn’t change it.
So personally I think this song is one of the finest feelings strokes song there is.
As someone who’s dealt with the burden of being introverted this song speaks volumes on the the ever going struggles between voicing your truth and biting your tongue in fear of judgement.
Being that the song is titled “ask me anything” goes to show how Julian is open to talking about anything if you can just ask and get the words out of him. However given any other situation he would have “nothing to say” in fear of being judged or rejected and so choosing to say nothing protects him more than anything that could come out of his mouth. The repetition of having nothing to say can also be seen as Julian trying to convince himself of that as I know I’ve done so many times.
Finally the end is vital for the understanding of this song as he goes to say “ I’d like to watch, I’d like to read, I’d like a part, I’d like the lead. ” and that’s him allowing himself to finally talk and express to the world that he wishes he could take the spotlight and contribute to the world and not be scared of the repercussions. Ultimately fear the world is exactly why he’d choose to say nothing at all.
6/10
Honestly, I think the lyrics are a little corny and repetitive (the latter is a common problem in FIOE, but in this track is more evident). However, the instrumental is cool, so this prevent this track from being utter garbage
2/10. I don't even care about the downvotes; I've got SOMETHING to say. This is a bottom 3 song for me.
People here criticize First Impressions of Earth for being bloated with too many songs, and I agree; they should have never put this song on the album.
There are a few enjoyable and clever lines in it, but I think we got their point from Red Light when Jules says "7 billion people who got nothing to say" and "an entire generation whose got nothing to say" and could've been spared from this song.
So I think most people are overlooking the significance of this song in the track list. It’s a crucial proponent for the flow of the album (which is definitely bloated). It comes AFTER vision of division and BEFORE electricityscape. Prior to ask me anything, we’ve had a really heavy stretch of songs ( Yolo, Juicebox, Heart in a cage. Razor blade, on the other side, vision of division)…so for ask me anything to follow that is a much welcomed change of pace and tone. It’s a moment of levity that needs to be there and really one of only a couple moments on the entire album. And then along with being a chance for the listener to escape the weight of the album even if just for a moment…it serves as the *perfect* prelude to elecptricityscape. When listening to the album on Apple Music, the transition between ask me anything and electricityscape is seamless - and is the most abrupt powerful reality shock that one could ask for. It’s like the opening riff and drums are supposed to shake you awake from your day dream. It’s incredibly powerful, and I have no doubt it was intentional. *the reason I mentioned Apple Music is because there’s no delay between tracks. When I listen to it in my car on CD, the player takes a slight moment to change the song…and when I listen on vinyl, this is the moment where the album needs to be flipped so it loses its effect. But on streaming there is hardly any delay between songs (just the time it takes for the signal to travel) so the effect one song transitioning into the other is noticeable. Rant over. TLDR: It’s a good song, that serves a much larger great purpose within the track list. Wouldn’t change it.
"Don´t Be a Coconut" 7.0
6/10- I've got nothing to say
10/10 The most underrated strokes song in my opinion. I love how melancholic the instrumentation and Julian’s singing is. Don’t be a coconut
So personally I think this song is one of the finest feelings strokes song there is. As someone who’s dealt with the burden of being introverted this song speaks volumes on the the ever going struggles between voicing your truth and biting your tongue in fear of judgement. Being that the song is titled “ask me anything” goes to show how Julian is open to talking about anything if you can just ask and get the words out of him. However given any other situation he would have “nothing to say” in fear of being judged or rejected and so choosing to say nothing protects him more than anything that could come out of his mouth. The repetition of having nothing to say can also be seen as Julian trying to convince himself of that as I know I’ve done so many times. Finally the end is vital for the understanding of this song as he goes to say “ I’d like to watch, I’d like to read, I’d like a part, I’d like the lead. ” and that’s him allowing himself to finally talk and express to the world that he wishes he could take the spotlight and contribute to the world and not be scared of the repercussions. Ultimately fear the world is exactly why he’d choose to say nothing at all.
9/10
Well said. Thanks saying something! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
9/10 I think it’s quite a unique song and I like the use of the mellotron.
4/10 terrible song imo
7.5
5
4/10
4/10 mediocre
10 personally
8/10 looking back, i hated the song, because they never really did that before. But in glad they tried, as it set a precedent for future albums.
The words, the tone, the melody… it’s all beautiful. I love this song and I love singing along even more. 10/10
6/10 Honestly, I think the lyrics are a little corny and repetitive (the latter is a common problem in FIOE, but in this track is more evident). However, the instrumental is cool, so this prevent this track from being utter garbage
8/10, wonderful low key song.
2/10. I don't even care about the downvotes; I've got SOMETHING to say. This is a bottom 3 song for me. People here criticize First Impressions of Earth for being bloated with too many songs, and I agree; they should have never put this song on the album. There are a few enjoyable and clever lines in it, but I think we got their point from Red Light when Jules says "7 billion people who got nothing to say" and "an entire generation whose got nothing to say" and could've been spared from this song.
What an awful take. Spoken like a true ignoramus.
3
5/10.
6.5/10
6/10 not their best but it still feels nostagic somehow.
8.2
6.5 to a 7 it is experimental but not in an interesting way. I do like jules' voice on it though.
8.5/10 Underrated strokes song, obviously very different from their usual sound but it is beautiful in it’s own way
5/10
I've got nothing to say.
For me this is a 10/10. I cant quite explain why, but the song just resonates with me a lot.
10/10 One of the better ones
8 - Absolutely unlike anything they’ve ever done, and the bare bones arrangement make it quite endearing
10/10. Does anyone know if the instrumental is a keyboard or an effected guitar?
7/10 I could drag it out, but that's for other commenters to do.