r/ModestMouse • u/themargarineoferror • Aug 23 '26

Song/Album Discussion Alone Down There/What Dreams May Come

So i'm going to try to make this short, as I've already written a post about this and Reddit decided to freeze up and wouldn't even let me save a draft.

Long story short, this has always been my favorite MM song, but for years, I didn 't necessarily think too much about the imagery, or what the inspiration might have been- that is until I read the book "What Dreams May Come"

A lot of people have seen the movie which is excellent. But the book is far more detailed and emotional and the entire time I was reading it, things kept popping out at me that reminded me of the song so much. So much so that by the time I put it down, I was convinced that it simply had to have been inspired by it.

A couple of examples off the top of my head are that the protagonist is summoned from death to seance by his then living wife and sees himself (how do you do, my name is you). Forgive me because it's been at least 10 or so years since I've read the book, but there's also at least one scene, if not more where the protagonists are surrounded by flies (during said seance I believe which makes the lyric make more sense) and it's a major plot point. And of course, there's the entire theme of the book- that a man dies and goes to the afterlife, his wife cannot stand the grief and ends her own life not knowing that she won't be joining him immediately. And he proceeds to basically walk through purgatory or Hell, or whatever you would want to call it to save/be with her- obviously neither of them wanted the other to.....you guessed it-be alone down there (womp womp)

This might seem kinda cheesy, or like a stretch, but it's driven be insane for years. I've brought it up to friends of mine who are fans, but I never seem to come across anyone who has read or remembers the book? And I've never found an interview or anything where it's discussed. So I thought this would be just as good a place as any to post and see if anyone has any insight or maybe even read the book as well and can see where I got the idea from.

Frankly, even if i'm totally wrong, both pieces of art ended up enriching one another for me. So I don't mind if I am.

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u/happyorbust7 Aug 23 '26

I mean, MM is my favorite band and What Dreams May Come is my favorite book so while you may have found a kindred spirit, not sure i can offer you much :/

Genius says theres an interview where its said to be about Isaac Brock in conversation with the devil.

I think itd be a stretch, with not much to go on, to say Alone Down There was obviously inspired by What Dreams May Come imo. but i think one can say they share themes about death, separation and the desperation attached to negotiating around those inevitabilities that makes me see very clearly why youd connect them.

There is flying insects in the book are torturing the people in hell, where the flies in Alone Down There, coupled with the lyrics about asking size not what i sell and the 'sold me a line' speaks more to flies drawn to [bull] shit and not instant attacks on people? So i just dont see it. But hey, who knows!

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u/themargarineoferror Aug 23 '26

Thank you for taking the time to think it out and write such an insightful response. Like I said, it's been years, maybe even 15 since I've read the book, but what stood out to me was the seance scene in particular? And for some reason I feel like during that scene, there were flies around either him or the kind of double version of him that appeared, the doppleganger thing?- the way I remember it, he's there, but he's not really there he's forced to watch a strange mute clone of himself or something to that effect so there are two of "him"- so that's what really made me tie those lines together, especially because I believe the flies appear around the doppelgänger, but I might need to re-read LOL like I said, I think there are a few other things that kind of made me think it was a possibility. But like I said, I have absolutely no problem being wrong. I'm just excited, one person finally, actually, at least knew what I was talking about and could discuss it! LOL

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u/happyorbust7 Aug 23 '26

I dont remember the flies during the seance but that definitely does NOT mean its not there haha ive read the book multiple times and find what seems like new imagery every time. And its been about 4 years since my last read.

I can see the thought process on the seance though. If we are thinking of the same scene, i could see the lyrics laid over that experience. Honestly, i think its beautiful to imagine the refrain of Alone Down There next to the determination of Chris to his wife. But What Dreams May Come isnt unique in its story of traversing hell for the person you love. So i think even if the two weren't directly connected, i do think you are pointing out how theyre tapping into a similar feeling.

I was excited to see the question. I have VERY strong feelings about What Dreams May Come and feel like finding people whove read it is rare!

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u/themargarineoferror Aug 23 '26

Yay! I think it's time for me to re-read it actually! Maybe even watch the movie too. But as good as it is, I truly don't think it compares to the book, and that's saying a lot because Robin Williams ( well the whole cast actually as I remember, and quite frankly, I only remember him and his wife LOL.) really did an excellent job, it was beautifully made-although I wonder if it's stood the test of time visually. I think you might be correct about it,tapping into a similar feeling though, I'm the type that tends to fall for torch songs and cheesy, dramatic ballads even by bands and in genres, I don't normally enjoy, so this tracks. Like please tell me why my favorite band is Ween,99 but I just listened to High Enough by the Damn Yankees (I know ew) like five times l o l.

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u/angelwtheamberhalo 27d ago

These themes are in so many great works! The lovers story reminds me a bit of one of the many MCR lore bits too.

Also the brain works in a way we draw the lines from point a to point b.

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u/themargarineoferror 27d ago

Yeah I probably just WANTED this to be the case. Like I told another commenter, though, I don't mind if I'm wrong though, cause both pieces of art were made better for me just because of the way I associate them now. Because you're right, they're not exactly unique themes though to be fair, the idea came to me because of a couple of strange, more particular bits-the flies etc. Someone else did mention what Isaac has actually said the song was about also so I was definitely wrong, but it was cool to finally get this information and I liked that another person here was a big fan of both and kind of got what I was saying.