Released: 2008
Fleet Foxes’ ‘Mykonos’ is a lyrical journey, with the narrative centered around the theme of self-discovery and the pursuit of freedom. The song tells a story of a person who is looking for a fresh start, with the island of Mykonos symbolizing a place of escape and transformation.
The opening lines depict a dramatic exit, the slamming door and rising dust suggesting a sudden departure. The ‘footsteps follow, down through the hollow sound torn up’ is a poetic way of saying the person is leaving behind a tumultuous situation.
The chorus, ‘And you will go to Mykonos, with a vision of a gentle coast, and a sun to maybe dissipate, shadows of the mess you made’ paints a picture of hope. Mykonos, a Greek island known for its beauty, represents a peaceful place where the person hopes to erase the ‘shadows’ or mistakes of their past.
‘Pallid animals in the snow tipped pines, I find, hatching from the seed of your thin mind, all night’ is a metaphorical way of saying that the person’s fears and insecurities (pallid animals) are born from their own mind (seed of your thin mind).
The lines ‘Brother you don’t need to turn me away, I was waiting down at the ancient gate’ suggest a plea for acceptance and understanding. The ‘ancient gate’ could symbolize a point of transition or a threshold to a new beginning.
The repeated phrase ‘You go wherever you go today’ is a powerful mantra of self-determination. It underscores the idea that the person has the freedom to choose their own path, regardless of past mistakes or judgments from others.
The song ends on a note of camaraderie, ‘When a walking brother don’t you forget, it ain’t often that you’ll ever find a friend.’ This line serves as a reminder of the rarity and value of true friendship, even in times of self-discovery and change.
