Meaning of "Sideshow By The Seashore" by Luna

The lyrics of "Sideshow By The Seashore" by Luna delve into themes of longing, secrecy, and the limitations of communication. The opening lines, "Then I painted your face / On a twenty dollar bill / But it isn't legal tender / And I think about you still," suggest a longing for someone who is no longer present. The act of painting their face on a counterfeit bill symbolizes the speaker's attempt to preserve their memory, but it lacks the legitimacy and permanence that true connection offers.

The following lines, "And all the comfort in words / Provide no comfort / We can all go mad together / That's what friends are for," highlight a sense of disillusionment with the limitations of verbal communication. Despite the presence of comforting words from friends, the speaker finds no solace in them. The idea of going mad together implies that true friends share in the struggles and chaos of life, providing support and understanding beyond the realm of words alone.

The scene changes in the next verse with the mention of a "sideshow by the seashore" and the girls dressed as mermaids. This imagery evokes a surreal or fantastical setting, possibly serving as a metaphor for the complexities and illusions of relationships. The mention of an electrical storm trapping them suggests a sense of being caught or entangled in a situation beyond their control.

The lines, "Maybe if I yell at you / You'll trust in what I'm sayin' / But I'm keepin' all the secrets / And I have nothing else to say," further emphasize the limitations of communication. The speaker longs for trust and attempts to convey their thoughts and feelings through yelling, indicating a desperate need for understanding and connection. However, they also confess to keeping secrets, implying a lack of transparency or an unwillingness to fully communicate. The final line suggests a state of resignation or emotional exhaustion, where there seems to be nothing else that can be said or done.

Ultimately, "Sideshow By The Seashore" explores the complexities of human connection, the longing for meaningful communication, and the limitations of words in conveying true understanding. It depicts a sense of yearning for a lost or distant connection, along with the frustration and disillusionment that can arise from failed attempts at communication and the withholding of secrets.