Mitski - The Deal (Behind The Song)

Mitski explains her new song "The Deal" off of her album The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, out now.

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[Feministdakarana]

Finally, I was waiting for this explanation in particular since it’s probably my favorite song from the album! It’s so beautiful and intriguing, and it wasn’t my original favorite until I actually started listening to it, ironically, on a midnight walk alone, and it gave it some sort of haunting dimension, if that makes sense. It’s like it makes me hyper-aware of my own solitude at that instant, and it really puts me in a very contemplative mood, about the uncertainty of the future, and even of my present, which may sound sad, and maybe it is a bit, but mostly it is beautiful.

Plus, the “then, of course, nothing replied, nothing speaks to you in the night” is probably one of the most incredible couplets I’ve ever heard, both lyrically and musically. For me it’s like the climax of the song, and listening to it feels like my brain is being scratched. I also love what it represents, that realization that, when you’re talking to yourself, or when you’re troubled and looking for an answer, you slowly realize you’re all alone and feel kind of silly, and maybe even slightly disappointed.

[fei_]

Imagine misreading a line from a poem and your thought process proceeds to create such comforting and profound song. Thanks a lot, ma'am.

[Carpet]

I thank Mitski everyday for inventing music ❤

[figthegiant]

The Deal is objectively one of the best songs from the new album, it’s got such a dark and poetic atmosphere and the outro is fantastic❤️

[lenaangrist]

This song is an underrated gem. So unique in how it sounds and the message is beautiful. Thank you

[anni]

i listened to this song for 8 days straight, no other music, just this on repeat. the story it tells is so hauntingly beautiful and impactful

[kate.]

This is my favourite song on the album and I had assumed this was about a 'crossroads deal with the devil', which made it so haunting because in those stories people wish to trade their soul for some other-worldly skill but in this song they don't want anything in return - they just didn't want the weight of existence. Even with this explanation it's such a beautiful song and I love it so much

[teng]

this is my fav song from the album. my interpretation of it is the need to unburden ourselves with our emotions to ease the hurt and pain, but that in turn also giving up our capacity to feel happiness. the line "you're a cage without me" captures that hollowness.

[lipz]

“sometimes its just so hard to carry the full weight of our existence and actually be fully accountable for it..” Wow, that explanation was just perfect. This song means a whole lot more to me now.

[arjunsahota]

is it just me who thought it was about suicidal thoughts? the deal being giving up the beauty of life in exchange for peace from the horrors idk

[Rain-pere]

This is actually one of the best songs you made for this album, I sincerely love it and knowing more of the story of how it was made is really interesting❣️

[christopherabril]

“thank you” no, thank you I love this song it sparks me in something when that beat drops

[graaceie]

I love this song, it haunts me through the interpretation of releasing control, which I struggle with, and making a deal with myself to give up a little of that control to the universe is so scary yet relieving.

[cherrynorthful]

This song always makes me think of Tori Amos’s line: “you’re just an empty cage, girl, if you kill the bird”

[grimaceshaker]

this is my favorite song off tliiasaw!

[gjhartist]

I definitely saw it as giving up a part of oneself in the hopes of being able to fit into some bigger picture.

[prairiemaiden]

This is my favorite song in the album and the first time I really listened to the lyrics, it made me think of a dark fairytale story, maybe because the bird metaphor really stands out to me; and sometimes when I read Russian fairytales, birds are often present. Like this one favorite book of mine where Koschei the Deathless assumed the form of a bird every night as he watches over Marya on the top of a tree and slowly lured her. And when I listen to the song it makes me think of Marya as she accepts marriage to Koschei, unaware of the coming circumstances.

The Deal is such a great song, the melody and lyrics are so image-like and very atmospheric. Thank you Mitski! 💖

[smartsmartie]

I was wandering alone since forever and also had an imaginary friend, the wind, and the wind took my childhood self away in order to avoid my pain. Since then I am just a cage, just a little piece of what I was once. This song made me cry so much, I never will get that part fully back, I can't get it back it was split off, I don't even remember my childhood. I am not that child matured but just a replacement.

[workingtheknife]

For me it's one of the best if not the best songs of yours. Thank you mitski

[بسمهالميال]

Thank you for your songs because they add colors to my life