Upon release, The Hot Rock reached number 181 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and number 12 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, becoming the first Sleater-Kinney album to enter the charts. Two songs from the album, Get Up and A Quarter to Three, were released as singles. The album received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the songwriting and the vocal and guitar interplay between band members Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein.
Start Together
Sleater-Kinney Lyrics
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If you want, everything's changing
If you want, the sky would open up
If you want, your eyes could open up
I'm a mess
I'm the worst
But the best
That you've heard
Come so far, come close together
Don't tear apart what we worked for
Right or wrong, here we are
I wanna know what you are, what you are
Baby, don't you leave me, baby, don't you go
'Cause I'll head out the fences, head out the door
Baby, don't you leave me, baby, don't you go
'Cause I'll roll with the punches, roll out the door
I don't know
What you want
But I got
What you
Baby, don't you leave me, baby, don't you go
'Cause I'll head out the fences, head out the door
Baby, don't you leave me, baby, don't you go
'Cause I'll roll with the punches, roll out the door
The lyrics of Sleater-Kinney's song Start Together explore the complexities and uncertainties of a relationship. The song is written from the perspective of someone who is pleading with their partner not to leave them, acknowledging their own flaws and shortcomings in the process. The chorus is a series of conditional statements that express the willingness to change and adapt to the needs of the relationship, while also acknowledging that change can be scary and unpredictable.
The lines "If you want me, it's changing / If you want, everything's changing" capture the idea that being in a relationship requires a willingness to evolve and grow with your partner. The image of the sky opening up and eyes opening up suggests a sense of new possibilities and potential that can come from committing to one another.
The song also touches on the fear of loss and the risk of vulnerability, as seen in the lines "Come so far, come close together / Don't tear apart what we worked for." Ultimately, the singer is searching for understanding and connection in their relationship, expressing a desire to know what their partner truly wants and needs.
Overall, Start Together is a powerful exploration of the messy, complicated nature of love and commitment, highlighting the importance of communication, trust, and mutual growth.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want me, it's changing
My love for you is evolving and growing.
If you want, everything's changing
You have the power to change everything, including us.
If you want, the sky would open up
Your desire is so strong, it could move mountains and open up the heavens.
If you want, your eyes could open up
You would start seeing the world in a different way if you just let yourself feel what you want.
I'm a mess
I am imperfect and flawed.
I'm the worst
I have made mistakes and done wrong in the past.
But the best
But I also have qualities and characteristics that are worth loving and admiring.
Come so far, come close together
We have made progress and grown closer over time.
Don't tear apart what we worked for
Don't let our struggles and differences destroy what we have built together.
Right or wrong, here we are
We may not be perfect or always agree, but we are still together in this moment.
I wanna know what you are, what you are
I want to understand and connect with who you truly are.
Baby, don't you leave me, baby, don't you go
Please don't abandon me or give up on us.
'Cause I'll head out the fences, head out the door
If you leave, I will be forced to leave too and start anew.
I don't know
I am uncertain and confused.
What you want
I don't understand what it is you truly desire.
But I got
But I have something to offer and give to you.
What you
What you need and want from me and our relationship.
'Cause I'll roll with the punches, roll out the door
If you leave, I will be able to adapt and adjust, but it won't be easy and may lead to me leaving as well.
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.