- More-or-Less-0.mp3
- More-or-Less-0.mp4
- More-or-Less-I.mp3
- More-or-Less-I.mp4
- More-or-Less-space-intro.mp3
[Intro]
If you were to take a guess…
More or less
[Verse 1]
When you say it’s more or less that way
And, you think things might be O.K.
I don’t rest assured
Having heard your word
[Chorus]
Perhaps it’s time
To name the crime
If it’s not too late
To proclamate
[Bridge]
(On the primate
In his climate)
A bad habit
(Habitat)
Imagine that
[Verse 2]
When you say it’s more or less the gist of it
Maybe it would be easier not to quit
I don’t rest assured
Having heard your word
[Chorus]
Perhaps it’s time
To name the crime
If it’s not too late
To proclamate
[Bridge]
(On the primate
In his climate)
A bad habit
(Habitat)
Imagine that
[Chorus]
Perhaps it’s time
To name the crime
If it’s not too late
To proclamate
[Bridge]
[Instrumental, Organ Solo]
(On the primate
In his climate)
A bad habit
(Habitat)
Imagine that
[Outro]
As a matter of fact
That exact
A SCIENCE NOTE
The song “More or Less” provides an introspective commentary on human-induced climate change through a mix of skepticism, frustration, and acknowledgment of our role in the planet’s deterioration. Here’s an interpretation of the lyrics in that context:
Intro
“If you were to take a guess… More or less”
This line suggests ambiguity and uncertainty about the state of the climate crisis. People are often unsure or complacent, downplaying the severity (“more or less”) rather than confronting it directly.
Verse 1
“When you say it’s more or less that way, And, you think things might be O.K. I don’t rest assured Having heard your word”
The speaker questions the complacency or half-hearted assurances that things might be “okay.” There’s a sense of distrust in these reassurances, especially when it comes to the environmental situation. They aren’t convinced by vague promises or incomplete solutions.
Chorus
“Perhaps it’s time To name the crime If it’s not too late To proclamate”
Here, the song challenges the idea that it’s still possible to act and bring attention to the issue (“name the crime”). The term “crime” implies that human behavior—perhaps the unchecked consumption of resources, pollution, and destruction of habitats—is culpable for the environmental degradation. It suggests urgency: it’s time to acknowledge our role in causing the crisis before it’s too late.
Bridge
“(On the primate In his climate) A bad habit (Habitat) Imagine that”
The reference to “the primate” (humans) reflects how we have shaped (or damaged) our climate through “bad habits”—perhaps referring to unsustainable lifestyles, overconsumption, and disregard for ecological balance. The play on “habitat” connects these bad habits directly to the degradation of our living environment.
Verse 2
“When you say it’s more or less the gist of it, Maybe it would be easier not to quit I don’t rest assured Having heard your word”
Again, there’s skepticism towards any effort that minimizes the severity of climate change or suggests that minimal action is sufficient. The line “Maybe it would be easier not to quit” could reflect the temptation to continue destructive behaviors for convenience, but the speaker remains unconvinced that this is the right approach.
Instrumental, Organ Solo, and Outro
The instrumental section provides a reflective pause, allowing the listener to contemplate the gravity of what has been said. The repetition of “On the primate In his climate, A bad habit (Habitat), Imagine that” emphasizes the connection between human actions and environmental impact.
“As a matter of fact That exact”
The closing line reaffirms the earlier message: humans are directly responsible for the current environmental state. There’s no escaping this reality.
Overall Interpretation
The song points to the uncertainty, half-hearted promises, and bad habits humans have developed in the face of climate change. It suggests a need for greater honesty, accountability, and action. The references to the “primate” in its “climate” serve as a reminder that humans, like other species, rely on the environment for survival but are causing its decline. The chorus, with its call to “name the crime,” underscores the urgent need for society to confront the truth of human-induced climate damage and take definitive action before it’s too late.