The band broke up in the fall of 1996 after Smith's solo work began gaining popularity. Gust went on to play in the band No. 2. Coomes carried on as half of Quasi, as well as playing as a guest musician for Built to Spill and Sleater-Kinney. Lash currently keeps himself busy as a producer. He helped with the production of Death Cab for Cutie's first two studio albums (Something About Airplanes and We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes).
Plainclothes Man
Heatmiser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always trying to get me alone
An easy way to lose it all
Always there when all else fails
Over by the west side rails
But I don't really need that now
I never really did anyhow
I only really needed alcohol
Something that'd treat me okay
And wouldn't say the things you'd say
Please turn out the light
I get a sick confusion headache
Trying to figure out who's right
Dreaming on the silver strand
Waking up to plainclothes man
You little bastard, little boy in blue
Someone's gonna get to you
And fuck up everything you do
Some european son
He's serious with everyone
And he thinks he'll win you with his angry kiss
Acting like he has no needs
Wanting you to watch him bleed
Made for each other bet you pay me any mind
Just goes to show my continual decline
They say that I'll recover my love of her once in a while
But I don't know
I don't think so
There's something that I'll tell you now
Now that no one else is around
The sort of lesson that I learned from you
Not quite the way you planned
But I know you'll understand
Someone takes a photograph
A picture while their sweetheart laughs
A perfect moment in a flash of light
Counting back from three till one
That's exactly what you've done
And I'm so
Unsurprised
I remember, I remember why I dream in black and white
Goes to show my continual decline
They say that I'll recover
My love of her
Once in a while
But I don't know
I don't think so
I don't think so
"Plainclothes Man" by Heatmiser is a song about the rejection of someone who is always trying to be there for the singer. The title itself refers to police officers who dress in plain clothes in order to blend in with the crowd, which is fitting for the theme of the song. The opening lines set the tone as the singer explains that the person in question is like "everybody's second home" and is always "trying to get me alone," which suggests that this person is always trying to be with the singer but without any apparent motive.
As the song continues, the singer becomes more assertive, saying that they "don't really need that now" and that they only ever "needed alcohol" as a way to cope. The chorus is a plea to be left alone, with the request to "please turn out the light," as it causes the singer to have a "sick confusion headache." The singer then juxtaposes this with memories of a perfect moment captured in a photograph with a loved one, suggesting that this is what they truly need, not the presence of someone who is always trying to be around them.
The final verse of the song is the singer's attempt to give a lesson learned from the situation to the person they are rejecting. The singer recognizes that the person tried to be there for them, but it was not what they needed, saying "not quite the way you planned, but I know you'll understand." Overall, this song is a commentary on the importance of personal space and the rejection of people who do not provide the right kind of support or love.
Line by Line Meaning
You're everybody's second home
You're always available and provide comfort to everyone.
Always trying to get me alone
You always try to isolate me from others and have me to yourself.
An easy way to lose it all
You're a risky person to be around and could lead to negative consequences.
Always there when all else fails
You're a last resort when everyone else has turned their back on me.
Over by the west side rails
You inhabit dark corners or abandoned places.
But I don't really need that now
I realize that I can do without your presence.
I never really did anyhow
I now see that you didn't bring anything positive to my life.
I only really needed alcohol
I was only using you as a crutch to numb my pain and turn to alcohol for comfort.
Something that'd treat me okay
I wanted something that would keep me at an even keel and not bring negativity in my life.
And wouldn't say the things you'd say
I didn't want something that would bring me down like you did.
Please turn out the light
I can't handle the confusion and headache you give me anymore.
I get a sick confusion headache
You make me feel sick and disoriented.
Trying to figure out who's right
I'm tired of playing the blame game with you and others.
Dreaming on the silver strand
I dream of a better life and a peaceful place.
Waking up to plainclothes man
I realize that you're not what you appear to be and you're not worthy of my trust.
You little bastard, little boy in blue
I see you for who you are; a trouble-maker and an antagonist.
Someone's gonna get to you
One day, you'll get what's coming to you and face the consequences of your actions.
And fuck up everything you do
You ruin things for others and make their lives difficult.
Some European son
There's someone new in town who seems charming and comes from a different background.
He's serious with everyone
He takes his relationships seriously and doesn't play games.
And he thinks he'll win you with his angry kiss
He's passionate but not in a healthy way and thinks that he can win me over with force.
Acting like he has no needs
He's putting on a show of being aloof and independent when he actually depends on others.
Wanting you to watch him bleed
He wants to show off his emotional vulnerability and have others take care of him.
Made for each other bet you pay me any mind
You and I were once inseparable and people thought we were meant to be together forever.
Just goes to show my continual decline
But the fact that we drifted apart shows that I'm not doing so well.
They say that I'll recover my love of her once in a while
Some people believe that I still have feelings for you and will go back to you from time to time.
But I don't know
I'm not sure if that's true.
I don't think so
I don't see that happening.
There's something that I'll tell you now
I have something to confess to you.
Now that no one else is around
I'm revealing this to you in private and when there's no one else to hear.
The sort of lesson that I learned from you
I've learned something important from our time together.
Not quite the way you planned
It's not what you expected me to say or do.
But I know you'll understand
But I trust that you will comprehend what I mean.
Someone takes a photograph
A moment is captured in time.
A picture while their sweetheart laughs
Someone captures a happy moment with their loved one.
A perfect moment in a flash of light
A beautiful moment happens quickly and unexpectedly.
Counting back from three till one
The moment is captured in a countdown.
That's exactly what you've done
You have captured the perfect moment with your camera.
And I'm so Unsurprised
I'm not surprised that this moment was captured in a photograph.
I remember, I remember why I dream in black and white
I recall why I have given up on finding happiness in life.
Goes to show my continual decline
My lack of hope in life shows how I have been deteriorating.
They say that I'll recover My love of her Once in a while
People have hope that I'll find happiness with someone else from time to time.
But I don't know
I'm not sure if that's true.
I don't think so
I don't see that happening.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind