Today is an important day for me because it's the first time I analyse MK's lyrics. He may be my favourite musician so far so I'm really glad I finally got here. And the song "Silverscreen" itself belongs to my comfort album.
As always, I can only guess what did Miles mean when wrote this song. The interpretation is a child of context but hope I got it right. Anyways, enjoy!
Silverscreen - Miles Kane
This piece of lyrics is connected with Turner's favourite Kubrick. Character named Jack- a man who loses his mind - appears in "The Shining". I think that every single one of us heard famous "Here's Johnny" line?
Why two-faced? Maybe because one face is shown to audience — macho man with beautiful models always somewhere near. And the other one is soft and lovingly — the one we managed to see during EYCTE tour.
hotel lobby. I won't go up without you
To get to your room in hotel, you have to get through the lobby — I think it's obvious. But what room exactly? Of course the one with number 505. The same-named Arctic monkeys song was written in collaboration with Kane. That song is some kind of constant in Miles' and Alex's relationship — even in 2023 it was performed together. So in these lines Kane literally sings: I can't continue without you.
Plated boots, lipstick rouge
I love the way he creates contrast. Heavy plated boots that can be effectively used in a fight and something soft , breakable. Also lipstick rouge can lead us to my beloved "Dracula teeth" (lipstick on my pillow). Remember "Lover boy's last resort"? That TLSP reference cries: the whole "Coup de grace"— as much as the song itself — is Kane's last chance.
Jack on the edge of champagne fruits
So, exactly that line made me think about analysis. When I first heard "champagne fruits" only one thing came to my mind.
Igor Severyanin- Overture
...Pineapples, pineapples — dipped in champagne!
Igor Severyanin is my all time favourite poet, also a classic of the Silver Age of Russian literature. Don't know if he's well-known in England but in my country definitely yes. Even if not every British man knows him, I'm half sure that the person for whom the message is intended (genius lyricist of Arctic monkeys) must know.
But what about the pineapples? They've became the symbol of excess and vulgarity, high society's empty luxury. Through the lyrics author says "look, if you want to continue, you'll become exactly like them". Reminds me of the whole situation with lavender relationships and big money stuck in industry.
Misdemeanor, gossip cleaner
Misdemeanor is considered as crime but is not something that can cause a lot of troubles. According to the lyrics it's everything that could happen between Miles and his partner in crime (stage presence, aha) before the album. But of course after something so loud they both needed to clean the gossips.
Could be about general audience. Like, it doesn't even concern them, yet the reaction is more vehement than ever.
Ego driver, loose-lip liar
Arctic monkeys' "I've got this ego mechanic" could be a hint. Miles is so fcking mad — i mean extra loud — when singing those words. He blames someone for always talking nonsense about their relationship. Or maybe not keeping promises?
I can see the silverscreens
Silverscreen in the lyrics is not about cinema at all. Yes, it's beautiful metaphor and goes well with "two-faced Johnny" but in that case the singer ment something different. I suggest that silverscreen is malicious tongues of industry. The one who don't support any of Kane's (not only his really) actions and are very interested in straight image of Turner. Who of course won't disappoint them —won't leave it alone.
I don't care what you mean
I don't buy your next scene
Miles is mad because he can't understand the partner's decisions. And words mean nothing here when the actions causing pain.
Surface tension, I won't mention
Surface tension is the physical property of a liquid that causes its surface to behave like a stretched elastic film. The person behind those words behave like the things aren't about him at all. He "covered himself in an impenetrable film" — got back to the straight mask. And yes, there were a lot of tension between the two of them.
While Miles just resigned himself to the situation — he won't mention (at least publicly) how much a liar his partner is.
Dancing finger, constant linger
Dancing, according to Monkeys' lyrics, is always about lie. Dancing finger(s) can also be about playing the guitar (the main theory) or being so nervous that hands shake. Constant linger part is also clear — have you heard an interview with Miles when there is no question about Turner? And as you can say Kane isn't comfortable enough to talk about it even now. Imagine the level of uneasiness right after the break up.
I can see the silverscreens
As a result, song is a pure anger caused by partner (guess who) wanting to retreat into one's shell again. When Miles is strong enough to name their connection like it is, for other one it's just not possible
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