Genius by Regina Spektor

[swiminthissilense]

its about a misfit who killed himself trying to fit in with the other kids by swimming in the ocean at night cumming well thats what i believe lol

[G03Helix]

Dear Regina, You bring so much happiness everyday to so many. Thanks for everything you do.  P.S. give moms and pops a hug.

[QueenMagslieofSweden]

I think this song is actually called The Genius Next Door.

[SilverIlly]

@QueenMagslieofSweden Regina performed at this show looong before "Far" came out. Considering that she calls it a "super-new one" in this recording, this is probably her first performance of this song. Since she doesn't necessarily say the titles of the songs after performing them, most of us called this one "Genius" until the studio version was released and we all started calling it "Genius Next Door." :)

[QueenMagslieofSweden]

@SilverIlly Oh, thank you. I was confused. :)

[eecummingsistheman]

Regina is my genius.

[cacacacarolr]

What is this song about ?

[schizophrenicPrime]

@cacacacarolr a kid who drowned... I'm pretty sure

[Evangeline30575]

Genius right here!

[latetilla]

Genius Next Door**

[pajamapaul]

imo the genius initially thinks he is too good to hang out with the other kids but his life doesn't turn out the way he thought it would. He ends up alone, bussing tables for a living and he tries to escape from reality using drugs. He imagines the antidote to his unhappiness is orgasm so he goes to the lake while everyone is asleep but drowns as there is no one to look out for him and pull him up before it's too late.

[mandacantu]

I'm so glad you posted this version up! I used to have this one on a mix cd I made and I haven't heard this version in such a long time. I love this recording! Thanks for uploading.

[muahahaha101]

She is so talented! Good lyrics, great voice, amazing pianest!

[Serialangel]

I just need to mention that this version is slightly slightly short - it misses out on the last flourish of her on piano, which is really gorgeous - otherwise, thank you so much. Genius is one of my favourite songs and this live version is my favourite incarnation of it.

[nicolie01]

the song's not only called genius. it's called the genius next door

[Alice4ever21]

<3 this song!!! It's so pretty :3

[rebinsparkles]

oh crap this version is so much more Regina than the album version

[Darkpoem999]

Make me feel good lol

[FamiliaCara]

ReFaRy. . . I am choosing to ignore your interpretation, though it is very well-thought and a likely possibility, because if I choose that interpretation, I will never be able to listen to this song again.

[ReFaRy]

@FamiliaCara haha :P fair enough. haha. I still love the song though <3

[BlackThoughtTB]

Such a powerful song.

[TheSkyInOurHearts]

Somehow this reminds of 'Mastermind' by the Divine Comedy. I think that they both have an exasperation with humankind.

[kendracelise]

i just want to let you know that this song is called "The Genius Next Door" though you've probably already been told this several times!

[luluprincess]

so sad! just really opens my eyes to show people how much i really care about them.

[thejerseystoner]

actually...i think the genius at the start is seperate from the second "genius". the cycle of suicide continues as an antidote to a miserable life. Life continues around the town as usual..nobody cares and some even laugh. They never care about the reason for the suicides and the cycle continues....very sad song

[thejerseystoner]

This song reminds me of my friend who successfully commited suicide...we always thought she was a bit extreme with her opinions...at 13 years old in america not many people question corruption. She wasnt an idiot..she was very smart and wanted to run aay with her friends with the hope she had...unfortunately none of her friends were capable of understanding...she had nobody to flee with.now that I've grown to understand~death is the antidote of hopelessness. It isn't hard for a genius to suicide

[ReFaRy]

b4 u drown its sed that u orgasm or something. I think da "genius" (sarcastic term) figured dis nd goes wiv his "secret" every night to indulge in dis act. the neighbours dont want to talk about it, becoz the kids are oblivious and swim in it- disgusting

in last verse it seems while trying to achieve an orgasm in da lake he dont hold his breath, nd drowns. nt sure bout the "dreaming the antidote was orgasm"

orgasm prolly refers to da orgasm he achieves drowning, nd antidote refers to a solution

[ReFaRy]

sorry about all the shorthand, its because I didnt have enough character space to write the full length of what I wanted to say :P hahaha

[acmgirl21]

I agree with ReFaRy's interpretation...orgasm via asphyxiation is a dangerous "game" that a lot of young men and some adults play with..some boys will wrap a cord around their necks and hang themselves while they masturbate trying to achieve this. unfortunately some do not survive their attempt at the "ultimate orgasm" :/ looks like this "genius" wanted his orgasm more than he wanted air

[monsterseatpeople]

@ReFaRy I think that line is saying that he's doing it as an escape from reality. To get away from it all he goes and does this.

[ReFaRy]

@monsterseatpeople that could be true actually :D

[jukeboxxjamz]

fuckin Genius Next Door Respekt NOOB

[yellowduckie1234]

LMFAO

[luv4friends192]

this song is soooo much better without all the background crap that she put in on her new album

[lucyisflabby]

what does she say in the begnning?

[nagzul]

The song sounds like it's talking about a natural phenomenon with the lake, and the kids decide to go swimming in it. The genius tries as well, to go skinny dipping in it.

The next day the news crew showed up to marvel at it, the kids wake up with hang overs, and the genius is sleeping next door.

The last lines makes me think he fell asleep masturbating while worried if the lake would make him sick.

lol all you other guys must be depressing to find such an interpretation about it like that.

[xxpoisenandkissesxx]

nagzul,Im all about thinking about different interpretations but my one left below from a week ago or so seems pretty rational and known to alot of people [try and find lyric meaning sites and more discussion there explains this song well , you can gather what you want from them] your interpretation sounds way too simple for a song but think what you want.

not depressing , its life, people do go swimming in lakes and drowning themselves, or holding there breathe to get orgasms and end up dying.

[nagzul]

lol simple means more true to the lyrics all together. Silly things like that are what Regina likes to sing about.

But then again she does sing about weird things like that as well.

[zunimano]

there's so many interpretations!! i like how regina is enigmatic...i wonder what she's thinking when she writes songs...

[714jenni]

i think the lake is like porridge because it sucks you under. meaning many have drowned theirselves there (the enchantment). think it through you foolish child. come back up in full (don't drown yourself).. the last part is tough.. i think the film crew and all is because the man has killed his self. i don't see the song being about taking advantage of a child.... the last line has got me

[xxpoisenandkissesxx]

""dreaming that the antidote is orgasm" -many believe that when a person drowns they experience euphoric sensations at the moment of death, like an intense orgasm"

meaning teenagers went to the lake &hold their breath underneath the water trying to orgasm&try to come up to the surface before they drown.

the little joke with neighbors -that lake is full of human fluids, thick like butter 'the porridge' ,the genius tries this, thinking he's much smarter than drunk kids that do this, but he dies.

[714jenni]

i think that explains the end pretty well

[nagzul]

I didn't see anything that seemed like death in the lyrics

[xxpoisenandkissesxx]

the news crews start arriving after the hold in your breathe, she sings it in a very sinking way, in my interpretation it fits in well at least.

[nagzul]

News crew comes in the morning, everyone is fine. Children cant wake up with hang overs if their dead.

The genius can't be sleeping next door if he died in the lake.

[xxpoisenandkissesxx]

1. how is news crews arriving to a lake anything but fine,

the kids are waking up with hang overs, YES of course,

but the kids [not all of the kids in the whole entire please of course common] of course teens would of died in the lake drunk/drinking. and the drunk kids who didnt care about the stories about other kids dying wake up hung over.

2. he's reffered to as the genius next door before he goes into the lake.

the 'genius next door' is 'sleeping' / dead.

use your noggin, nagzul.

[nagzul]

I did and I concluded since it doesn't say "some of the kids" then the news crew must have been showing up at the lake because it was one of a kind, with it's own nick name, and seemed enchanted.

[xxpoisenandkissesxx]

my reply is just a little too short to say in this comment box

[pm'd you]

x

[xxpoisenandkissesxx]

*long lol

[nagzul]

It was overnight that lake turned as thick as butter is why it's name porridge

[sorg54]

Regina Spektor is a Genius!

[SweetLoLipop14]

she's a genious. i adore her.

[neildonahue718]

On the meaning of the song...I'm probably off but I had a moment the other night walking home from the subway listening that the genius next door and the naughty children are connected in a really bad way. He's got the secret. Hold in your breath. Foolish child. Breath holding and sexual abuse often seemed to be linked no? But I have to say the auto asphyxiation theme is a good one too. But who knows for sure. All the more reason our girl can write a song.

[RestInPiecesXXX]

the best version of this song... it is amazing!

[zevx12]

It is about suicide. His secret is wanting to kill himself. She mentions him sleeping the next day because maybe that is his dream in death? I could go more in depth, but you can interpret the rest as you will.

[Em1234567879]

its called genius next door

[HermioneCullen1]

what does this song mean? it has a type of gothic air to it, just like a cover i heard of Dave Matthews band's cover of "Long Black veil" (lol cover of a cover =) )

[Serileigh]

Someone mentioned to me once that it might be about autoerotic asphyxiation. The kids get drunk and go swimming in the lake...hang out underwater while they do their business. It explains the "lake as thick as butter" part, and also makes some sense in regard to the chorus. "Hold in your breath, til you come back up in full." I really don't know, though, I think there's a lot more to it than that. Just a thought, dirty-minded as it is.

[fiskisgod]

I have to say that makes ALOT of sense.. wonder if it has anything to do with michael hutchinson et al... good insight though, it def. seems its about autoerotic asphyxiation

[footballinx36x]

THIS is the version I fell in love with but I must say, they did a great job with the album version

I <3 it too :)

[moneyquickeasy]

I just like when she says, "orgasm." ;)

[AnthonyMinsky]

I just like it when I have one :)

[moneyquickeasy]

Agreed. ;]

[theflangeful]

lol wut?

[beye22]

So they was getting orgasms?

But why did somebody meant that the lake was enchanted and what made them believe that?

[odpics]

this song makes me cry

[EllynTouchette]

I think the general idea is based on the rumor that before a person drowns, they experience an orgasm-like sensation. So the local kids would drink and try this, and they called it porridge because of the ejaculations. And this genius wanted to try, but ended up drowning.

[rickzters]

I think it coencides with the body ridding it's fluids prior to death. Kind of how a person expells body wastes (feces) upon death.

[Mayumi96]

hmm... that makes sense. :) thanks

[emilyandhermusik]

they would try drowning?

wait.. suicide? or that they would come up before they auctually drowned?

[Pinkpinkllmn0]

wowee. what interesting lyrics :)

[HazzyMorphine]

Does ANYONE know wat the meaning of this song is???

[skylarfalloutboy]

this is beautiful!

i just wish i knew what she meant

[punkette666anime]

Actually,this song is called "The Genius Next Door". The song is brilliant though,Thanks for posting it! <3

[EllynTouchette]

I love the story of this song. It's so cool.

[harrypotterrules217]

She is soooooooooooo incredibly gorgeous! I love her so much!

[rabbitsuit18]

this is by far the best recording of this song. i hate it on the new album, it's really over produced. i wish that this recording was on "far"

[sanne8585]

yes I agree that the new album is a bit over produced. However, I think because all songs were newly recorded, the album really feels more like a 'whole' album, instead of just a few songs bundled together..

[avanceses]

I love your voice and your talent Regina.

Saludos desde México.

i love you Regina¡¡¡

[gleeridden]

ELECTRIFYING

she's such a prodigy

makes me infinitely jealous

[Roodlepops]

Can't wait for her album!! Anyone know what songs are going to be on it?

x

[pinkfedora91]

go on itunes and type in far it will show you all the tracks

[2011Blackroses]

all i know of is laughing with adn eet.

both are great songs.

adn apparently this one is too...

[theveronicas45987]

I love regina sooo much!!

haha I'm 13 and I brought her songs to alot of my friend and they all love them!!

Regina is AMAzinggg!!!

[reginaholic]

It makes me happy you love her so much. Are you gonna get her new album on June 23rd :) YOU SHOULD. It's gonna be so good

[12cjcollins12]

im adude too but thnk this song is awsome. big ups to regina

[mihollyb]

this is beautiful! what album is it from?

[brokemebodily]

its a song that shes been playing live for awhile, and its going to be on her new album "far" that is out in 10 days!

[averageskill]

I've been clicking on Regina's songs for at least an hour now...adding most to my favorites...Now...understand this, I'm a dude..and I'm glad...but if I had to a woman...Regina is who I'd want to be...I'm pretty sure she could gather enough fans to "crowd surf" all the way around the world....hope she passes over me.....

[oatsandmilk]

dude shes amazing regardless of sex all must indulge in her splendor

[amazerfulness]

@averageskill Ditto, minus the dude part. :D

[PoeticallyIlliterate]

@averageskill I'm a young man, very straight not that it matters but - I would be embarrassed to blast this in my car, as well as portishead and the dresdon dolls, but damn it for this, I shall make exceptions.

[PoeticallyIlliterate]

@PoeticallyIlliterate darn it***

[samhara26]

Among other things of note, Spektor is probably our generation's foremost poet. She tugs at the very fabric of thought, stretching you in new ways, until you finally feel like what you'd always known is a good fit.

[Roodlepops]

Awesome comment.

=)

[God4Dunoon]

um cant agree

[pagekeeper4]

she's so pretty.

[LauraMitzu]

Reginaaa esta es la cancion mas bella de todas!

[fillXinXblankXstares]

i love her music. it's so unique and something different, and she's incredibly talented, too!

[indigoba]

You all should check out "the enchanted lake" by liadov (another russian pianist) this song always makes me think of it, don't know if regina spektor is deliberately referencing it, but it's really a beautiful piece

watch?v=zbXKLO1Zf-4&feature=re­lated

[nellucdarwdeevoli]

what is this song about?

:P

[Roodlepops]

I'm not 100% sure. But it's an awesome song =) Not all songs have to make perfect sense- that's the beauty of regina.

[MeWmEwDoMiNaTeS]

DAMN it's so hard to find anything not live or someone else trying to copy her work!

[MonkeyBrainz50]

tru dat

[KaybeeRetro]

she is amazing.

that picture of her is hawt :)

[CarleyGee]

I always forget so many of her songs are recorded live. Her voice is beautiful!

[Roodlepops]

She sounds so much better live =)

I Agree completely.

[firepixie2222]

hahaha I accidentaly hit back and wrote a comment on the wrong song.

I meant to write for this one!

" This is breathtaking! why is it cut short!"

[Piano3play]

Dude!! who cut the song short! I'm so traumatized!

[spawnshank]

If you actually pay attention to the lyrics -- the "enchanted lake" became as thick as butter because of what they began to call it.

And Laura, that's probably why Ksmga123's message was marked as spam.

[DeadToThyWorld]

Hey,guys does anyone know where can i find the sheets for this song?

[lostprodigy31041]

"Atheists were praying full of sarcasm"

[lauraxoloo]

why did someone spam ksmga123.

thats probably what it really is about actually.

[athruzjohana]

ha shes so great. and beautiful<3

[ksmga123]

its about the genius who wanked into the lake (hence the porridge; the lake turned as thick as butter)

haha! wonderful song! brilliant lyrics

[animalloverb15]

Yeah thats what I heard and then I think he died underwater.

[shoelace07]

it ends before the song is over. =(

[xSmootHope]

I have this on MP3. xD

Even with the applause.

Anywho, this is a lovely song. <3

[TheSthecretKeeper]

the song "Open".

[wilwarin25]

It's a good song, but I'm not quite sure what it means....

[sasiita]

I'm not quite sure either... but I get a feeling someone died in the lake. Maybe the Genius. "In the morning, the film crews start arriving" "Atheists were praying full of sarcasm". I know I didn't help u a lot xD but that's what I have in mind. =)

[jeffrey1000000]

i would marry this woman in a heartbeat

[depolarized]

my heart wouldn't be able to beat fast enough.

[pancakedinosRAWR]

aw, that was cute (:

[adrianmole89]

i've collected a list of her songs so if you need your dose of regina spektor u can visit my playlist.=)

[TabanaDoll]

i only recently became a fan and now im juz hooked on her ;)

but where did you all find all the songs cauz im having a little trouble finding?? and i NEED her music!! <3' XD

[RJLupin6]

To get live stuff, go to: Respekt . com

[monkeythito]

shame it's songs like "the call" and "fidelity" that get all the attention when there are amazing pieces like this out there.

[Crowfeather123]

I didn't like fidelity that much. But I geuss it's the same with any artist, the best songs are the ones that you hear least.

[Fringy14]

Although you've got to admit, even her not so awe inspiring songs are still fairly more awe inspiring than most of the crap we're stuck listening to these days.

I'll always be a bit fond of Fidelity, becuase thats what made me look for Regina, therefor giving me a taste of what real music is.

[Crowfeather123]

That's true. Samson has always been my faovurite, but that could be for the same reason that fidelity is your's, it was the first I heard.

[anarmisticeoftruth]

Fidelity was the first song I ever heard by her so I have a bit of a soft spot in my heart for that song. But I do agree that most of her best songs are the lesser known ones.

[IamBlair]

Oh wow, and Somedays has always held a special spot for me, because it was the first one I heard. I guess we all idealize our first time? :P

[WhySoGr33n]

lol that was my first too.

[ABobrik87]

The Call is a beautiful song, and more interestingly, people from all walks of the internet (from UltimateGuitar to Youtube) have sung its praises. It's definitely one of my favorites by her; just because it's more popular than her other works doesn't mean it's bad :-)

[ftlob]

Exactly. While they are still beautiful, if you only hear her more popular stuff, it almost gives you the wrong impression. Regina is much more raw and powerful then those songs show.

[megbrookes]

where do all these songs come from!? I would love to have them all on cd or something. This is lovely, her lyrics are so good and captivating. thanks for putting this up xx

[schiewe64]

I believe these songs are unreleased demos. Rare stuff.

[freemind89]

google for album 11:11

[JavaLavaIce]

Very Very Pretty. She's an amazing song writer.

[jlhnaylor]

THE MUSIC Just BEGINS with a raphsodic rapturing of the soul...and then you're HOOKED... again...!!!!

[anniethesponge]

i LOVE regina spektor soooooo much!!!!

can you buy this song on itunes???????

[marcan9]

Every time I think I've heard all of her songs, I find another amazing one! What a pleasant suprise!

[Samrtguy]

Same.

[expired1]

WOW I THOUGHT I KNEW ALL HER SONGS thanks for posting buddy

[DarkNinjaAreyu]

One of my favoritest songs of regina spektor. I think its extremly exquisete