Like A Tourist
Of Montreal · False Priest [2010]
I thought you were pretty good
I'm so happy that you're doing what you want to
You go to your favorite dark place, think of the auto-da-fé
Unicorns eating baby meat
There's a dragon rape if you want one (one's the loneliest number)
Smokehood merlion, female erection,
You fetishize the archetype
Ha! you fetishize the archetype
Don't treat me like a tourist, let's stay high on a negative wave
And paint it black just like the good times
Don't treat me like a tourist, let's stay high
They break our hearts like it's our birthdays, soak us in animal blood
I want somebody to frisk me
I want this night to distort me
But I didn't come here just to see you dancing
No, or to admire your art
Or try and cure your Androphobic heart
Anyways I'm crippled inside
Don't treat me like a tourist, let's stay high on a negative wave
And paint it black just like the good times
Don't treat me like a tourist, let's stay 'woke' like Pharaoh E.Badu
And paint it feral in our heads again
Like when we were passengers
Don't treat me like a tourist, let's stay high
They break our hearts like it's our birthdays, soak us in animal blood
Like A Tourist
Like A Tourist stands as a vibrant song in Of Montreal's eclectic discography, appearing on the 2010 album False Priest. The track captures the band's signature blend of psychedelic pop and baroque indie rock, characterized by swirling instrumentation and whimsical lyrical themes. Kevin Barnes, the group's primary songwriter, often explores surreal narratives and emotional volatility, elements that define this recording. The song reflects the band's evolution during a period of significant stylistic experimentation, moving away from earlier lo-fi textures toward a more polished, orchestral sound. As part of a prolific catalogue known for its theatricality and genre-bending approach, the work showcases the group's ability to merge complex arrangements with accessible melodies. It remains a notable example of their mid-career output, highlighting the creative energy that has sustained their long-standing presence in the indie music scene.