Formed … Read Full Bio ↴Mustard Plug is a ska punk band from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Formed in 1991, the band's original members were Dave Kirchgessner, Mike McKendrick, Colin Clive, and Anthony Vilchez. Currently the band consists of Dave (Vocals), Brandon Jenison (trumpet), Jim Hofer (trombone), Nate Cohn (drums), Colin Clive (guitar/vocals), and Rick Johnson (bass). The band has regularly toured throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America. They have toured with the Warped Tour twice, and participated in the Ska Against Racism Tour. As of 2013, the band has released six studio albums and continues to tour actively.
Explaining the band's goal, Jim Hofer said "We may have some messages in our music, but essentially we just do this because we love it and we want people to lighten up and have fun.
In August 2013, Mustard Plug used KickStarter to fund the recording of a new album. Can't Contain It was released by No Idea Records on January 14, 2014.
Mr. Smiley
Mustard Plug Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and all the things you said to me.
You always taught me right from wrong.
(Wrong from right, right from wrong)
'Til you went on the killing spree,
and killed your family.
Why is this the way things have to be?
Oh Mr. Smiley,
how could it be true,
the things they say that they knew?
I can't believe it! What has happened to you?
I took my time while thinking it through.
Digging through facts, believing in you.
Oh Mr. Smiley. Give me a clue,
why they said it was you,
I can't accept it! Tell me it's not true.
Because you were once so good to me,
oh Mr. Smiley tell me how it could be.
You always had a smile on your face,
I never thought you'd become a criminal case.
Until I saw your face on my TV.
Was it just for entertainment?
Because now you face solitary confinement, in jail.
Why is this the way it has to be? Tell me!
Oh Mr. Smiley, what has happened to you? Tell me it's not true!
The Mustard Plug's song "Mr. Smiley" talks about a person who was once a mentor to the singer but then turned out to commit a heinous crime, killing their own family. The song starts off by highlighting the past when this person used to teach the singer right from wrong. However, in a shocking turn of events, this person went on a killing spree and murdered their entire family. The lyrics portray the singer's disbelief, sadness, and confusion about what has happened to their former mentor. They wonder how it could be true, and question why things have to be this way.
As the song progresses, the singer begins to investigate the facts and tries to rationalize what has happened. Though the media portrays the former mentor as the culprit, the singer still finds it hard to believe. They ask the former mentor about the situation and request a clue from them as to how this could have happened. Unfortunately, they never receive an answer or explanation, adding to the singer's confusion, and they end the song pleading with Mr. Smiley that it's not true.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember how it used to be,
I recall the way things were in the past.
and all the things you said to me.
I remember all the advice you gave me.
You always taught me right from wrong.
You provided guidance on differentiating between good and bad.
(Wrong from right, right from wrong)
You taught me how to distinguish between right and wrong.
'Til you went on the killing spree,
Until you went on a murderous rampage.
and killed your family.
And committed the heinous act of murdering your loved ones.
Why is this the way things have to be?
Why did it have to end up like this?
Oh Mr. Smiley,
Addressing the accused murderer.
how could it be true,
How could the accusations against you be credible?
the things they say that they knew?
The things that they claimed to know about your crime?
I can't believe it! What has happened to you?
I am in disbelief! What happened to make you commit this heinous act?
I took my time while thinking it through.
I took my time to consider the situation thoroughly.
Digging through facts, believing in you.
I combed through evidence and trusted in your innocence.
Oh Mr. Smiley. Give me a clue,
Oh Mr. Smiley, please provide me with some insight.
why they said it was you,
Why did they accuse you of committing the crime?
I can't accept it! Tell me it's not true.
I refuse to believe it! Please tell me that the accusations are false.
Because you were once so good to me,
Because you were once kind and cordial with me,
oh Mr. Smiley tell me how it could be.
Please explain how you could have been involved in such a terrible act.
You always had a smile on your face,
You always appeared to be in a joyful state.
I never thought you'd become a criminal case.
I never had anticipated that you would end up as a subject of a criminal investigation.
Until I saw your face on my TV.
Until I saw a picture of you in the news media.
Was it just for entertainment?
Were the news channels using your case merely for their own entertainment?
Because now you face solitary confinement, in jail.
Because you are now confined to solitary imprisonment within the jail.
Why is this the way it has to be? Tell me!
Why did it have to end up like this? Please tell me!
Oh Mr. Smiley, what has happened to you? Tell me it's not true!
Addressing the accused murderer again, and reiterating the disbelief and desire for explanation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES SHEARMAN, JULIA TAYLOR-STANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind