Meaning of "Fly Trapped In A Jar" by Modest Mouse

"Fly Trapped In A Jar" explores the feeling of being stuck and unable to find a way out. The repeated line "One wing wasn't even enough" serves as a metaphor for the narrator's limitations and the obstacles they face. It suggests that despite their efforts, they are unable to achieve their desired freedom or escape their current situation. The lyrics also touch on the idea of not being wanted, as the people around the narrator "really didn't want us around." This contributes to the overall sense of isolation and the feeling of being unwelcome.

The song also introduces a character named Gary who is on trial and drunk, further highlighting a sense of chaos and dysfunction. The line "Our bodies were laid out evenly for fifteen yards" suggests a collective defeat and surrender to the circumstances. The fly trapped in a jar symbolizes the trapped and helpless state of the narrator and perhaps represents their own feelings of entrapment.

Overall, "Fly Trapped In A Jar" captures a feeling of being trapped, whether it be in a physical sense or within the limitations of one's own life. It explores themes of struggle, isolation, and the desire to break free from a situation that feels oppressive and confining.