Genius by Regina Spektor

Lyrics:

Someone said the local lake had been enchanted
Others said it must have been the weather
The neighbours were trying to keep it quiet
But I swear, I could hear the laughter
So they jokingly nicknamed it "The Porridge"
It was overnight that lake turned as thick as butter
But the local kids would still go swimming, drinking
Saying that to them it doesn't matter

If you just hold in your breath till you come back up in full
Hold in your breath till you've thought it through, you fool

The genius next door was bussing tables
Wiping clean the kechup bottle labels
Getting high and mumbling German fables
Didn't care as long as he was able
To strip his clothes off by the dumpsters
At night while everyone was sleeping
And wade midway into that "Porridge"
Just him and the secret he was keeping

Hold in your breath till you come back up in full
Hold in your breath till you've thought it through, you foolish child

Hold
Hold

In the morning, the film crews start arriving
With coffee, donuts and reporters
The kids were waking up hungover
The neighbours were starting up there cars
The garbagemen were emptying the dumpsters
Atheists were praying full of sarcasm
And the genius next door was sleeping
Dreaming that the antidote was orgasm

Hold in your breath till you come back up in full
Hold in your breath till you've thought it through, you foolish child

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Regina
• Spektor
• Genius

[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.

[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

[QueenMagslieofSweden]

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

[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." :)

[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

[schizophrenicPrime]

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

[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.

[ReFaRy]

@monsterseatpeople that could be true actually :D

[ReFaRy]

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

[eecummingsistheman]

Regina is my genius.

[cacacacarolr]

What is this song about ?