Lyrics (transcription and interpretation)

[Metaphizzle]

A thread for debating about the meanings of Sf59 song lyrics, and for transcribing lyrics that were not included in the liner notes. To kick things off:

What the heck is "I Like Your Photographs" about? Andy Mueller was kind enough to include the lyrics in the liner notes:

I live with the old swing and trumpets.
They fly through my country and play it,
and those who have calling, they run it.

And everyone needs a light,
a place in the sun.
I like your photographs,
I need one.

You act like a stranger and I bet
you gave them my number and the rest
to those who have calling and run it.

[repeat chorus]

So leave here a stranger,
leave here a stranger. [repeat]

[loop chorus backwards over outro]

Further evidence: The video for this song (which I saw once on T&N's website and haven't been able to find since, [EDIT: ] so I'm summarizing from memory here for those who haven't seen it). The opening shot is a glass filling with wine; this clip is repeated (and reversed) multiple times throughout the video. The rest of the video is a man (holding the wineglass) walking into his garage. He climbs into his car and stares at the guitars and drums in the corner. He then starts the engine, and drops the glass when the fumes overwhelm him. The glass falls to the floor, then the video stops, and the entire video plays backwards.

The lyrics to the verses suggest the song is narrated by a paranoid, down-on-his luck musician, rather than being from Jason's perspective. But I have no clue where "I like your photographs / I need one" fits with that interpretation.

[Jono]

[The_Ordinary]

I'll pitch in my two cents:

This song is about all the attention being paid to crappy ska music and other types of crappy music around the time LHAS was released. Jason was lamenting how his music is of high quality, yet music of a lower class gets more airtime.

There are also references to record label execs (Brandon Ebel, perhaps included?) who continually want to sign "crap" and ignore genuinely good music.

The chorus is a sarcastic jab. "...Moves On" is a short instrumental to clear one's head of the depression of the state of the music business.

[stshores24]

There are also references to record label execs (Brandon Ebel, perhaps included?) who continually want to sign "crap" and ignore genuinely good music.

Why stick with T&N if that label isn't promoting them? I've never heard SF59 on any radio stations or seen any promotional material. The only reason I know they exist is because of word-of-mouth. That's not good.

[Jono]

[Zelönka 22]

Look at T&N's other bands like Underoath, talk about promotions!

My guess would be that SF59 just doesn't get good enough sales and T&N just doesn't care enough to promote them furthermore.

[stshores24]

(shrug) Oh well, at least WE appreciate them.

[The_Ordinary]

Ebel goes way back with the Martin bros, and I think he has a lot of respect for them. He also puts out almost everything they make (Ronnie's "Shepherd" album comes to mind as something he turned down.)

[stshores24]

I guess I can't really say anything bad about Ebel et al., because I really don't know what's gone on. I'll just enjoy the music and leave the promotion to God and the fans.

[idaaron]

But I have no clue where "I like your photographs / I need one" fits with that interpretation.

To me, this line speaks also of his depression, just like other people pointed out that he's singing about a down an out musician. I think this plays in to it somehow... just imagine with me...

a man down on his luck staring at the photographs of a successful band/man, wanting, longing to be in that position. I also think the Music video, which I never seen but would be awesome if we can digg it up, kinda supports this. I imagine him starring at the photographs right before he kills himself. In his final thoughts I imagine he believes it should be a photograph of him and his band! Not some other lame band out there taking the glory. He fells he should have the chance to star in some photographs like those as well, described here "Everyone needs a place in the sun."

This is just my take on it, just another interpretation!

[stshores24]

[Zelönka 22]

^ Love the concept of those lyrics.

But I have no clue where "I like your photographs / I need one" fits with that interpretation.

To me, this line speaks also of his depression, just like other people pointed out that he's singing about a down an out musician. I think this plays in to it somehow... just imagine with me...

a man down on his luck staring at the photographs of a successful band/man, wanting, longing to be in that position. I also think the Music video, which I never seen but would be awesome if we can digg it up, kinda supports this. I imagine him starring at the photographs right before he kills himself. In his final thoughts I imagine he believes it should be a photograph of him and his band! Not some other lame band out there taking the glory. He fells he should have the chance to star in some photographs like those as well, described here "Everyone needs a place in the sun."

This is just my take on it, just another interpretation!

For me that line speaks out literally.  I mean.. there is only 2 photos of Jason Martin as far as I remember.  2 from Starflyer 59, 1 from Martin Brothers.
Funny, but true as far as I can see.  I'm kinda getting in that same stage of mind lately.

[Metaphizzle]

I've been listening to TVvSV today and I think it's my new favorite. Anyway, 'Good Sons' is a great song, just not sure what it's about:

Off the top of my head here, I'd guess it's about frustration with one's employment. The narrator of the song has been working his tail off for a few years now, maybe he even has a college degree, and he's still waiting tables and getting pestered about finding a proper job.

[stshores24]

That would stink. Anyway, it's a great song, it gets stuck in my head frequently.

[Jono]