"Mainland" by Harvey Danger is a song about feeling lost and disconnected, and the search for one's identity and place in the world. The lyrics reflect the singer's struggle to hold onto relationships despite feeling like they may be slipping away. The opening line, "The less you care, the more I hold tight, the more I'm involved, the less I do right," speaks to the paradoxical nature of relationships - that the more you try, the easier it is to mess things up. The singer reflects on moments in their past where they spoke up without thinking, causing trouble for themselves and others. However, the chorus suggests a shift in perspective as the singer tries to let go of this train of thought, which has led them astray. The lyrics ask, "did you ever find your mainland?" suggesting that the singer and the person they are addressing are both searching for something, perhaps a sense of belonging or purpose. The repeated question, "Why did you stay?" suggests that despite feeling lost, the singer is determined to keep searching, while questioning why others might choose to stay stagnant. There are references to the music industry and academia as places where people might get stuck and "drown in their element." The final lines, "Here come the intellectual creeps, here come the asshole college professors," suggest frustration with the idea that success in life often comes from being part of a certain group or having certain connections. Overall, "Mainland" is a story about the struggle to find oneself and the challenges of maintaining relationships while on that journey. The lyrics suggest that despite feeling lost at times, it is important to keep searching and to move forward, rather than staying stagnant.
