Two Headed Boy Pt 2 - Neutral Milk Hotel

[Carsonapolis]

I think this song is about a dead dad..."Blister please with those wings in your spine" is like the fact that the one side of the boy wants his dad to feel the pain in Heaven for leaving him and that the other side of the boy is feeling still trapped in this tragedy.Spines are the central part of every person, connecting the body to the brain, and that's why NMH uses that in a lot of their songs, very beautiful metaphor. This song is gorgeous.

[boopbeepboopboopxx]

hearing the relation to the track "little birds" in this song only makes me tear up more.

[Cojiro6o]

Don't understand why people say this is an underrated album. It's one of the most acclaimed albums of the 90's haha. Perhaps it doesn't have the same popularity as other great albums of the 90's, but it's certainly not underrated. Underrated would be NMH's first album.

[osiris0413]

"God is a place you will wait for the rest of your life"

The first time I heard this album, I was awestruck in a way that's happened with music only a handful of times in my life. While I love the title track, Holland 1945 and the others, I think that this track and Two Headed Boy are the most emotionally deep and touch me like few other pieces of music do. The longing, the sadness, the sparseness of a voice and a guitar. Simply beautiful.

[firemblemrules9]

This song makes me cry every time at the end. So beautiful.

[AllenAndersonTaylor]

im learning this on guitar and his range is so hard to sing!

[wutangebooks]

absolute genius

[Shattered0Platinum]

I listened to the album last night at like 4 in the morning dying of fatigue and sober. It was one of the best music experiences of my life. After this song, I just broke down in tears for about an hour.

[MrWellsgameroom]

...this album is so underrated :(. im a guy and im totally willing to admit that the first time i listened to this album the whole way threw i cried. this album got me threw some really hard times.

[JakeBasketball443]

It's sad how underrated this album is... These lyrics, are some of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have ever heard, PERIOD. This album, every single song has its own story every song has it's own beautiful melody and melon-collie sound to it. This..is...just.... perfect.

[desudesu1212]

Beautiful. I've listened to this song like 20 times in a row now.

[CactusSuperior]

I get chills every time I hear the end of this song. Sometimes I feel this warm nostalgic feeling, sometimes I feel like collapsing into tears, but every time it's emotional.

[KawhackitaRag]

I love the way this brilliant man sings... I absolutely agree with Mepsipax12 that he sounds kind of like a very sad little boy, but he also sings with such full, almost bone-rattling quavering tones as to make me weep. I was highly critical of singers like this until I myself tried singing and realized how damn hard it is. Jeff Mangum is not a polished classical singer but is really singing what HE FEELS and that raw emotion comes straight out listening to this record. Beautiful!!!

[EctInc]

@KawhackitaRag I don't think he could be called a "talented" or stylish singer. But I love him because he sounds so earnest and pure.

[GnomesAmok]

@EctInc

Dude, "stylish", no, but talented, abso fucking lutely, his voice is like a flying machine soaring over the peaks and valleys

[genetrujillo]

@KawhackitaRag Yes, Jeff is very passionate about what he sings. For raw emotion, check out "Sailing Through", he melts down at the end.

[KawhackitaRag]

Years ago, I heard some Neutral Milk Hotel song, and I thought that they were O.K. (that is, pretty good). Then, a year or two ago at a halloween party (2009? 2010? Dillan and Taylor were playing with DVA DAMAS at a house party in Anaheim) I heard one entire side of the album, and highly critical, panned it based upon the music (I couldn't make out the lyrics). Now, with this girl I adore quoting the lyrics to this song all over the place... I listen again and find it's brilliant. THANK YOU!!!

[ShuuussshKabobs]

This just pulls everything out of me.

[kidsfallout]

i don't know why, but this song kills me every single time. every single time.

[MrLeo160]

I love how there are references to pretty much all the other songs in this one. "Soft and sweet," the reference to moving your mouth, the spine, it's just...God DAMN this is a good album



[sasori700XD]

This song just brought me to tears.

[unl337]

I was lucky enough to see Jeff a few weeks ago, and he played this during the sound check/during the show. While I was watching him there, with someone who I felt was special, I just had an outpouring of emotion. I actually cried. this song means so much to me. If it wasn't for Jeff, I wouldn't be doing what I do right now, which is being a musician. Thank you, Jeff.

[cursiver]

spiiinneeeeee

[fakeplasticsheep11]

This song kills me every time.. I don't think I've ever heard anything so achingly beautiful (although that term gets tossed around a lot, this song truly deserves it)

Also 9 people have no soul.... maybe they should listen to this album some more :)

[GRIEF1712]

I miss you Lottie. I miss you ever single day...And after thinking about that this song reminds me that somewhere in her heart, she holds me close. I was told that the other day by a very good friend of ours, and although it doesn’t fill me with any particular hope, it fills me with peace, to know that sometimes she’ll look at a photo of me and say “Night night"

Night Night Bunni...I Love you...

[DanieLatzanich]

when he says "In my dreams, you're alive and you're crying"

the melody and words perfectly mesh together and I get this wonderful tingle down my spine. It's beautiful

[BlackFoIiage]

My favorite song on the album, this hit me like a shot when I first heard it. It's the perfect culmination of the most beautiful album I've ever heard. The holiness of life, love, and humanity is vibrating in every note.

[Concretshky]

Every song on the record is a masterpiece by its own making. But listening to the entire album as one piece, with the very last guitar strumming and the lyrics "don't hate her when she gets up to leave" from this incredible song, makes this the best album of a decade. If more people only knew NMH...

[Tsuta]

one of the saddest songs i've heard. It's definitely the saddest of the album, perhaps except for Oh Comely final verse.

Jeff Mangum, you miserable genious! Making me sad and shit!

[gamenrok]

In my dreams you're alive and you're crying.

[BradWest96]

Jeff's Mangum opus.

[Starvoid7]

''And when we break we'll wait for our miracle.

God is a place you will wait for the rest of your life.''

- this speaks to me a lot.

[Starvoid7]

This album is maybe one of the top 3 albums released in the 1990's.

extremely underrated.

the first i listened to it i cried. tears just came to my eyes from all alone. there were months when i didn't listen to any music exept this album.

[JTAP100]

"And you left with your head filled with flames," at this point i break down everytime i hear this song

[AwesomeSauceMr]

The part at the very end is a fucking eargasm.

[Turtlesauron]

"...but don't hate her when she gets up to leave" is my favorite lyric

[Tabaeris]

The impact this song leaves after the loss of a father figure is amazing.

[Lalevine1]

And in my dreams you're alive and you're crying,

As your mouth moves in mine, soft and sweet.

Rings of flowers round your eyes and I loveee you.

My favorite part. I can't even describe how this song makes me feel. I love On Avery Island, however, this album is definitely the most beautiful collection of songs I have ever listened to.

[avalonxoxo]

love this <3

[myxmotosis]

I always have a hard time wrapping my head around the lyrics, but I do know whatever they mean, they are fucking profound.

[LordMurgen]

@myxmotosis

Love song and Lament about Anne Frank and how she died in a concentration camp.

[Primus9]

@myxmotosis It's about a boy with two sides to himself - one, a passionate/angry lover, and the other a refined/religious healer. The lover wants to be with a dream girl, and the healer wants to understand why his "brother" is so angry and distant from him. He just wants to see his brother be happy for once.

[jacobthelioneater]

@Primus9 Best explanation i've heard yet. Daddy and brother are both the same person -but different sides.

[Primus9]

@jacobthelioneater huh, I never thought of it like that. The "daddy" section has always been cryptic to me, and I kind of guesstulated and pretended it was talking about God or Jeff, but that works too. Oh, and thanks c:

[fat8622]

Thus ends the journey of Anne Frank, spines, two heads, and semen known as In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. And how better to end then this masterpiece

[Robem69]

I feel my heart sink whenever I hear this song. Mangum has such a grip of what it's like to feel lonely and wanting to find comfort in someone or something. Of course, he had such a powerful influence that it's easy to understand why he can be so direct with his message. When you hear this song, with all its beauty, thank Anne Frank for her influence and her beautiful spirit that made this song and all of In The Aeroplane Over The Sea possible.

[Mynamesbob8]

By far the greatest song Jeff Mangum has ever given to the world.

[mussman717word]

@Mynamesbob8

One of, if not the greatest anyone has given to the world.

[Mynamesbob8]

@mussman717word Agreed. I keep hoping and praying that Jeff will commit to another couple of records with NMH. I would love to hear how much more he's grown as a musician and a lyricist.

[josh603xD]

This song makes me really happy :)

[DanDaMan2794]

this is such a great ending to an amazing album

[watsTHEtime52]

GODDAMNIT. THIS IS THE MOST GORGEOUS THING JEFF MANGUM HAS EVER SANG OUT OF HIS TALENTED MOUTH.

Number one song gauranteed to make you sob.

[DrPinkReality]

God, how did I miss this song? This might be the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.

[tanman32123]

this is such a wicked fucking song... even tho there sint really a churus.. its deep.. who the fuck wouldnt like this !? lol

[candysays69]

The 3 people who disliked this song have no heart.

"Years later... and it's still as beautiful as the first day I heard it..."

YES. I haven't heard this song in so long, yet it's still as emotionally-affecting now as it was then...I'm kind of choking up typing this...

[KingJanodus]

Years later... and it's still as beautiful as the first day I heard it...

Thank You, Jeff. If this be your last contribution to the world... then it is well accepted.

[moneyman113]

The fucking vocal melody is so beautiful and unique, I've never heard anything like this.

[pyroboy1]

@moneyman113 I have, its called the beatles

[jbravin64]

There will never be a more emotional song that truly dwells deep into the human heart to bring out a healing crying aura. I just want her to know that I love her even though she feels differently, i want her to be happy who ever she's with :)

[Schmoet]

I just had to scream a loud "Fuck!" after I listened to this song.

Now there are running tears all over my face.

Jeff, you're awesome. Thank you.

[irascib1e]

what makes this song so remarkable is that it is incredibly gut wrenching and honest. jeff has something inside of him that he can't express, and he struggles to to do so in a beautiful way through this song. no matter how shitty i might feel one day, i can always turn to this song to help me embrace that sadness and appreciate it. i just did a covered this at an open mic, i'd appreciate it if some NMH fans checked it out. (it's on my channel)

[theiconoclasm]

sometimes i just want to lock a random stranger in a dark room with nothing but a copy of this album, a player, and a bag of weed. maybe some water and crackers. leave them there for a week. change their freakin life man.

[PunksWithGuns]

I'm sad that NMH disbanded but i completely understand; how the hell do you top this?

[kaisamsa]

@PunksWithGuns Radiohead did it (topped Ok Computer) when they released Kid A. Im pretty sure that a band as amazing as NMH was could've topped this album.

[mussman717word]

There has never been, and never will be, a more beautiful song than this. I love you Jeff Mangum, just as a person, as an inspiration, and as a poet. God bless you, man. I hope you read this, because I speak on behalf of all of us.

[Metllerr]

Rarely a day goes by that I don't listen to at least some of this album.

[TehFunksta]

The silence that follows the song as I sit on my chair and reflect is almost as powerful

[ZoeyJo2020]

God don't ya hate it when you have a favorite song but when you listen to it it makes you all sad n shit?

fffffff addiction to angst is a powerful thing

[EmiWK]

I'm grateful I read Will Grayson Will Grayson.

Otherwise I would have never found out about Neutral Milk Hotel. (:

[philliesphan555]

perfect ending to one of greatest pieces of music ever written. Let's listen and cherish this milestone album and not fight over what Jeff was trying to say. All that matters is that Mangum gave us one of the best albums of the 90's and maybe the best alt-folk album of all time. Without this album there'd be no Arcade Fire (just to name one of many). Maybe sometime in the distant future, Mangum will notice how incredible it truly was and maybe reassemble this Neutral Milk Hotel... doubt it tho:/

[andersoncouncilpf]

Great album!

[stupotgers]

i dont really buy into the whole anne frank think, the song is beautiful to my ears. that speaks volumes.

[janedoe162]

im pretty sure 40,000 of those views are mine

[holdtillred718]

in an aeroplane over the sea is a perfect album. I was talking about this band with a friend who had never heard of them the other day and when she asked what they sounded like...I said perfect. This song makes me want to cry every time. It's so beautiful.

[danthedude1996]

Perfect ending to the perfect album.

[alkalinecuban]

I wouldve rather have these guys be the definng band of the 90's, Nirvana is so fucking overrated.

[XDGerman]

@alkalinecuban i prefer nirvana but this album it's one of the best albums i have ever heard in my life.

[rockchickwannabe]

It is one of my life goals to hear this song played live. Even if it means i have to kidnap jeff mangum...

[lespaulmaniac601]

This has become of my favorite songs to play on guitar, and sing :)

[dethklok766]

This song is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Mangum was able to say so much so beautifully

Really hits you hard and thats what counts

[WePandas]

By far the most beautiful NMH-song.

[mussman717word]

Mangum should be up there with the names of Ginsberg, and Dylan, and Rimbaud. Unbelievable talent this guy has... a true beatnik.

[bsoundinkorea]

"gay liberal faggots" spoken like a true scholar. im far from liberal and i have 3 kids. its a genuinly great song. top 10 in my book

[genetrujillo]

The perfect end to one of my favorite albums of all time.

[ganstamannirvana93]

This album helped me find God and realize that there is beauty in the world, you just have to open your eyes.

[Catconvention]

@neocon70 You are so right. I am a gay Liberal Faggot.

thanks

[jrockpunk1]

@neocon70

You mean there are actually people that aren't liberal? I'm sorry, but I didn't realise there were still stupid people in this day and age.

[kittycatcatcatt]

@neocon70 People with talent, wisdom, and intelligence. Obviously, these are areas in which you're lacking.

[Canonpedua12]

I don't understand this song.. It was nice, but I didn't get the same emotional reaction you guys are showing.. I really want to feel this but I don't understand.. :x

[ganstamannirvana93]

@Canonpedua12 Listen to the whole album, it changed my whole perspective on life.

[martyrdomcausespanic]

The change in chords (??? maybe???) as he starts to sing "and in my dreams you're alive and you're crying" always always ALWAYS gives me chills. That moment right there is my breaking point. Beautiful.

[chriscobonham]

@martyrdomcausespanic That starts working on me, and then the outro, and especially the last couple of lines....They get me. Every. Single. Time.

[gkiss1001]

Way to stab me right in the cry bone, Jeff Mangum :(

[TehFunksta]

no other song has made me cry.

[h8tred666]

Ceschi Ramos does a great cover of the song.

[Mepsipax12]

I love this song so much it lets out emotions I didn't even know I had stored up in my body. I hate when I try to explain to share this song to people and they look at me like I'm just a bitch who likes sad acoustic music by some guy who they don't know.

[kaisamsa]

@Mepsipax12 I love you

[rallokkcaz]

@Mepsipax12 It's okay, I know whatchu mean Royyyannnn.

[Mepsipax12]

@rallokkcaz Dude its true I feel like Jeff Mangum is like the saddest little boy in the world! Also jesus I hate when my comments make the top comments fuuuhhhhh

[uzzyoops]

@Mepsipax12

I feel the same about Tiger Army

[MunoDred]

simply beautiful, i get sweats and chills every time i listen and sing along to this album. Such a masterpiece..

[TheGoldenTeacher]

this ong is absolutely chilling. i get goosebumps EVERY time i listen to it

[PreciousRobot]

The best song ever...

[protonmonkey]

You know those songs you love, but then grow afraid to listen to repeatedly because you don't ever, ever want to get bored of it? Yeah, this is one of them.

[doghairedinfant]

rust never sleeps.

[SmexiLexi127]

im sorta kinda completely in love with them and this song. their sound is refreshing and laid back but yet their lyrics are very opposite,with meaning you dont hear now-a-days

[BradWest96]

I wish I wrote this album.

:7(

[peaceric]

@BradWest96 every musician does.

[Mithyus]

Each verse is a hearbeat, each strophe is a prayer... this is the most beautiful song ever written.

[kodochakhfan]

This is the song I listen to when I want to be happy. It makes me cry, but afterwards it makes me realize how beautiful the world is.

With such fucked up lyrics, Jeff Mangum introduces the world into all of his pain, and the fact he couldn't save himself from it with such beauty in these words is heart breaking.

But the fact he could take everyone's mind, and put it into place, through his own life stories and mind, is so overwhelmingly beautiful I can barely write it here without crying.

[2robert00]

every time i hear this song i blow a load in my pants!

[serge2k9]

I love how at the end of the song, the end of the album, he just puts down the guitar and walks away, as if saying "that's it, that's all I've got to give".

[nocrazyyou]

I think, this song is for children

[InjuredStatus]

This song is just somethin' else.

[OGjays1]

2:56

[UntitledArePonies]

"and in my dreams you're alive and you're crying as your mouth moves in mine, soft and sweet"

those are the absolute saddest lyrics i will ever hear.

[J2MEZROCK]

"God is a place where some holy spectacle lies.

And when we break we'll wait for our miracle.

God is a place you will wait for the rest of your life."

Humanity wept.

[kittenkraze13]

Sometimes I sing or hum the lyrics at 1:30-2:00 to myself. They're just so beautiful to me. They make me think about love.

[refusedchad]

should be "when you breath deep"

not "when you're ready"

[EGomezPatrol]

I had Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, and Aphex Twin. Thank god my dad has a good taste in music.

[piinkislovexo]

Neutral Milk Hotel is a godsend. One of the very few bands with lyrics so powerful you're left speechless and in utter amazement after one of their songs.

[polidic]

Put the bong down ...

[isamexijew]

me too!

[JonnysVitamins]

oh, how I envy thee

[catfishwalrus]

it takes a song this good to end an album this good...

[mlsku]

Oh get a life,

Like there aren't enough organizations of clishee TRUTH so call-it in the world

[UtBDan]

sometimes the only way I don't feel alone in the universe is to listen to Neutral Milk Hotel.

[narwales]

this song just always give me chills.

probably my fave off of In the Aeroplane...

[brokeass89]

i love when his voice cracks it just makes it all that much better

[TheIoannouShow]

i can't believe i've only discovered this now...

[hogofbullets]

@TheIoannouShow That's how everyone feels when they discover NMH. Don't worry about it...the important thing is that you've discovered it at all.

Have fun enjoying one of the best albums of the last 2 decades.

[steve0619]

i wish i'd only just discovered it!

It's kind of sad knowing you've discovered as good as it's going to get!

Enjoy (:

[FlaminFingaz]

The first song i heard this song, i cried.

[BloodyInsane]

amazing tune

[Haku548]

At certain times, when I'm in a particular mood, these lines cause me to silently cry to myself:

And when we break we'll wait for our miracle.

God is a place where some holy spectacle lies.

And when we break we'll wait for our miracle.

God is a place you will wait for the rest of your life.

Two-headed boy, she is all you could need.

She will feed you tomatoes and radio wires,

And retire to sheets safe and clean,

But don't hate her when she gets up to leave.

[greentuner]

I can relate, one of the few songs that makes me weep like a baby

[onegnometorule]

@Haku548 I'm about as atheist as an atheist may come but these lines have always given me shivers. JM had/has an incredible instinct for poetic lyrics: just the right amount of distortion, emotion, actual meaning and above all sadness.

[x3davidbowiex3]

@Haku548 iwas actually going to post about that right now.

those exact lines are making me cry,

but from "don't you take this away, i'm still wanting my face on your cheek."

[silvur]

To me, this is easily the best song ever written. The words just take me to another world.

[scottfallon1]

It's a fine song that stands on its own. But taken as the closer to "In The Aeroplane..." it punches you in the gut with the most solemn of feelings. There will always be innocents who suffer through atrocity. There will always be an Anne Frank for us to mourn. And it will never make any sense. But just maybe we can find peace by making sure it doesn't happen on our watch.

[margieisepic]

whoever gave this comment a thumbs down obviously doesn't understand what scottfallon1 was trying to say. But I thumbs-ed it up, so problem solved.

[onegnometorule]

@scottfallon1We are free to feel whatever music evokes in us, but to put Mangum into the political (only because there are some references to Frank, but really only in 1945 & Oh Comely) to me is a complete and utter misunderstanding of what he stood for: the poet and preacher of personal pain, of embracing life and love through it, of seeing the beauty when and because you bleed. It's personal, not general, for once you put things into the political you already stopped daring face your own pain.

[jaslmil]

Beautiful

[macthydude]

great song

[slashoasis156]

this song makes me feel good, I think that's what music is all about, and I've never heard of them before, it's amazing!

[mistercath]

whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­ooooooo!