Fourth Of July

Galaxie 500's 'Fourth Of July' is a poignant exploration of loneliness, introspection, and the search for personal meaning amidst the backdrop of a national holiday. The song opens with a whimsical yet melancholic image of writing a poem on a dog biscuit, only to have it ignored by the dog. This sets the tone for the narrator's feelings of insignificance and rejection. The subsequent act of getting drunk and viewing the Empire State Building, which appears as small as a nickel, further emphasizes the narrator's sense of smallness and disconnection from the world around them.

The lyrics continue to delve into the narrator's internal struggle with their current state of being. The lines 'And if it don't improve / Then I have to move' suggest a desire for change, yet there's an underlying resignation to their situation. The narrator contemplates changing their style, perhaps as a means of fitting in or finding happiness, but ultimately finds solace in the simple act of someone else's smile. This fleeting moment of connection provides a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak narrative.

The song's title, 'Fourth Of July,' traditionally a day of celebration and togetherness, contrasts sharply with the narrator's experience of isolation. Choosing to stay home and pull the shades to avoid seeing the sky symbolizes a retreat from the world and its expectations. The mention of a 'Bed In'—a reference to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous peace protest—adds a layer of irony, as the narrator's attempt at a similar act of defiance or statement is rendered meaningless by their solitude. The song closes with the neighbors' intrusion into the narrator's private world, highlighting the inescapable nature of societal pressures and the longing for genuine connection.