Now, what I interpret from this song is that Frank Black has done with all of the angst that musicians experience at various points in their lives. If it was anyone else in the music industry I would say that he has returned to baseline - but I don't think that anyone who has ever sung about wanting to live on an abstract plane could be described as baseline ever again.

The song seems to epitomise that feeling you get, when you are walking down a sunny path in the middle of the day, perhaps on your way to the supermarket, and a complete stranger greets you cheerfully. There is no reason for them to even glance your way; it is out of complete courtesy that they do.

What Black seems to be saying is that we have so many marvels and comforts surrounding us in our lovely western culture, and that we should enjoy them and enjoy ourselves. I can imagine that some Marxists would have a lot to say about that; but even Marxists need to take time off from the everlasting quest for social revolution sometimes.

The tempo of the song is upbeat and the melody is in a major key, indicating a cheerful mood.

Lyrics:

well I found a road and off I sped
I met a man with no little toe and a real big head
though I did not speak somehow I said
where are you from?
he said the modern age
and where are you from?
I said the modern age
on the shore by the sea that was still lathering
I met a man in the business of hunting and gathering
somehow we understood each other's blathering
and he said where are you from?
I said the modern age
and where are you from?
he said the modern age
stopped at a light in my car
I ask the next car how they are
they say that we are fine and how are you?
I say that I am fine and thank you
I'm feeling fine in the modern age
driving around in the modern age
driving around in the modern age

Sources:

• Devil's Workshop liner notes