The World's Address

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Copernicus was wrong. Somebody let him know. Photo by Dulcey Lima on Unsplash

I’m not musically educated enough to identify whether or not this song is a Salsa or a Samba. Hell, for all I know it could be neither but it’s definitely giving Salsa-Samba. Maybe Waltz? Look, this song is like nothing we’ve heard so far is the point I’m getting at. A kickin’ piano part and an ending that begs me to shout “Cha cha cha!” Oh, the Cha-cha! This is a Cha-Cha number. If you’ve ever felt the urge to yell “Cha cha cha” during a song, you might be listening to Cha-Cha ballroom music. You might also be listening to a little TMBG ditty called, “The World’s Address.”

a Meaning as elusive as Grand Unified Theory

There are two things that I feel I’ve spent my whole life doing. 1. Digging up my music shallow grave and 2. listening to The World’s Address and its Joshua Fried remix edition (Joshua Fried refried edition?). For decades, I’ve enjoyed belting this out in front of mirrors, whilst driving, or walking down streets. The lyrics of this song were so intriguing and cryptic; begging the me to guess - what is the world’s address?

I’ve ruminated over the lyrics so many times that at this point in my life, I almost cannot hear this song with fresh ears. It’s part of my DNA now.

Call the men of science

And let them hear this song

Tell them Albert Einstein and Copernicus were wrong

The world's address

A place that's worn

A sad pun that reflects a sadder mess

I'll repeat it for those who may not have already guessed

The world's address

What are Einstein and Copernicus wrong about? Something in their theories or just an overall poetic symbolism referring to the challenging of the status quo and humans’ general understanding of the nature of existence? Just what does this indicate as to the address of our world? I’ve always assumed that the answer key is hidden among the references. What bit of philosophy have John Flansburgh and John Linnell tucked away in this Latin-flair number?

A real “eureka!” moment for me.

Finally, last week, my questions were answered. My thirst; quenched.

In 2023, TMBG released the Lincoln album on vinyl for the first time in a LOOOOONG time through a partnership with BandCamp. With that release came a supersized liner notes in the form of a zine called “Everything Sticks Like a Broken Record.” It’s purpose was to provide a track by track breakdown from the Johns. I know fans were onto this concept long before I was. Maybe even at first listen. It wasn’t until just last week that I learned the truth from John Linnell’s own words.

A forgivable pun, I hope. Because it's trying to be two things at once. It's the address of the planet Earth, which is a sort of peculiar concept — things have addresses on Earth, but what is the address of the world? Then the idea of the world as a dress... a place that's worn, but also a world that's worn out. That was the kind of wordplay that I was attracted to when I was that age. - Linnell

My jaw hit the floor. How had I missed this?? “The World’s Address” is also “The World’s A Dress.” Suddenly, cryptic lyrics became less so, clouds parted and the sun beamed down on me. Had I not stumbled on this zine, I may have lived my entire life wondering what this could be referring to. Never knowing what I had missed.

Now that I’m writing this all down, it doesn’t seem like as big of a deal as I first thought. I missed the pun. That’s all. But still - what a long journey to discovery! Hearing the song feels complete and has only become a more enjoyable experience for me. I usually dread finding out the intended meaning of a song for fear that it will ruin what it meant for me. Not the case here.

Closing thoughts and an invitation to share yours.

I think this song is so fun to listen to. The opening piano chords accented along with a clean and crunchy electric guitar is some really juicy rock and roll music - and then - CHA CHA begins. Give this one a listen and let me know what you think. I seldom skip this track unless I’ve listened to it several times in a short period and want to refresh it a bit with my ears.

Have you ever learned something about a song from the creator that either vastly improved or maybe even tainted it for you from that point on? What about your feelings toward puns? Are they the best or worst thing that a human being is capable of bringing into the world? Tell me about it in the comments (or in an email, DM, courier pigeon. . .)

Next week we’re jumping into “I’ve Got a Match,” a song that I always felt guilty for feeling so connected to for a about, oh I’ll say, 16 and a half years of my life.