It is related to post-rock, a result of a shared scene of origin. There are differences to be noted between early post-rock and math-rock as well, though: whereas post-rock has distinct jazz influences, math rock is more dense and complex, filled with difficult time signatures and intertwining phrases. The style is a little more 'rockist' than post-rock, since it's usually played by small, guitar-led bands.
While post-rock can be described as pushing the boundaries of rock by using rock instrumentation for non-rock purposes, math rock does not necessarily do this; instead, it tries to push the boundaries of rock by raising the complexity of rock music itself. It generally makes use of complex rhythms, dissonant guitar chords, and unconventional playing techniques.
Math Rock can be divided into two periods: a first wave in the early 90's, after genre progenitors Slint, where Polvo, Chavez, and Blume Smells were the most iconic examples. This period had a more noise-rock-influenced, heavy sound. Emerging from the same music scenes (Chicago for example) that spawned early post-rock, there is quite a bit of overlap with that genre. Math rock then faded away, the tag disavowed by bands characterized as such.
The second wave came in the late 2000's, when new bands arose with a cleaner, less noisy sound, though with the same complexity and rhythmic playfulness that makes math rock what it is. Examples of this include Maps & Atlases, Giraffes? Giraffes!, Hella, Don Caballero and Tera Melos. These bands are often more stylistically distanced from post-rock.
Lately a few bands have sprung up that try to make math rock more fun and accessible; the most prominent examples may include Damiera and Battles.
Never Meant
American Football Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything said
Everything we did
Best friends and better halves
Goodbyes
And the autumn night when we realized
We were falling out of love
(There were some things that were said that weren't meant)
(There were some things that were said that weren't meant)
(There were some things that were said that weren't meant)
(There were some things that were said that weren't meant)
(There were some things that were said that weren't meant)
(There were some things that were said that weren't meant)
(There were some things that were said that weren't meant)
(There were some things that were said that weren't meant)
But we never did
Not to be
Overly dramatic
I just think it's best
'Cause you can't miss what you forget
So let's just pretend
Everything and
Anything between you and me
Was never meant
The opening lines of "Never Meant" by American Football set the tone for the rest of the song. The song is about the end of a relationship between two close friends or lovers. The singer suggests that they forget everything that was said and done between them, including the good times they shared as "best friends and better halves." The lines "Goodbyes and the autumn night when we realized we were falling out of love" suggest that the relationship has already ended and that the singer is trying to make peace with it.
The repeated lines "There were some things that were said that weren't meant" emphasize the idea that sometimes words can hurt and do damage to a relationship, even if they were not intended to. The singer seems to be acknowledging that both parties may have made mistakes and said things they regret. The line "Not to be overly dramatic, I just think it's best" shows that the singer is trying to move on from the situation while also acknowledging its weight.
In the end, the singer decides to "pretend everything and anything between you and me was never meant." This final line suggests that the relationship was not meant to be, and that both parties should move on and find new paths in life.
Overall, "Never Meant" is a melancholy reflection on the end of a relationship and the pain that comes with it. The song's reflective tone and poignant lyrics have made it a favorite among fans of emo and indie rock.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's just forget
Let's put this behind us and move on.
Everything said
All of the things that were said during our time together.
Everything we did
All of the experiences we shared.
Best friends and better halves
The close relationship we had with each other.
Goodbyes
The act of saying goodbye to one another.
And the autumn night when we realized
The moment when we understood that our love was fading.
We were falling out of love
Our love for each other was dwindling.
(There were some things that were said that weren't meant)
Some of the things that were said during our relationship were not actually what we felt or meant.
Not to be
I don't want to be overly emotional.
Overly dramatic
To be excessively emotional and dramatic about the situation.
I just think it's best
I believe it will be better for both of us if we let go.
'Cause you can't miss what you forget
If we forget about the past, then we can't miss each other.
So let's just pretend
Let's create a facade and pretend like nothing happened.
Everything and
All of the experiences we shared.
Anything between you and me
All of our relationship and history between us.
Was never meant
Our entire relationship was not supposed to happen or exist.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Michael Thomas Kinsella, Stephen Michael Holmes, Steven Joseph Lamos
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AtrocityEquine01
I think what's sad about this song is that the relationship ended in the most natural way: The love just stopped.
Not because of cliches like an affair or something like that.
It ended because it just wasn't meant to be.
"Never Meant".
That makes it more heartbreaking and sad.
@andreakennedy1791
Let's just forget
Everything said
And everything we did
Best friends and better halves
Goodbyes
And the autumn night
When we realized
We were falling out of love
There were some things
That were said
That weren't meant
There were some things
That were said
That weren't meant
There were some things
That were said
That weren't meant
There were some things
That were said
That weren't meant
There were some things
That were said
That weren't meant
There were some things
That were said
That weren't meant
There were some things
That were said
That weren't meant
There were some things
That were said
But we never did
Not to be
Overly
Dramatic
I just think it's best
'Cause you can't miss what you forget
So let's just pretend
Everything and
Anything between you and me
Was never meant
@marmotaunab
lyrics:
Let's just forget
Everything said
And everything we did
Best friends and better halves
Goodbyes
And the autumn night
When we realized
We were falling out of love
There were some things
That were said
That weren't meant
But were said
Like we never did
Not to be
Overly
Dramatic
I just think it's best
'Cause you can't miss what you forget
So let's just pretend
Everything and anything
Between you and me
Was never meant
@wcs9727
Let's just forget
Everything said
and everything we did
best friends, better halves, goodbyes
And the autumn night
when we realized
we were falling out of love
There were some things
that were said
that weren't meant
like we never did
Not to be
overly dramatic
I just think it's best
cause you can't miss what you forget
So let's just pretend
everything and anything
between you and me
Was never meant
@chrismatassa8999
Dude, my mom didn't sign my permission slip to go on this feels trip
@r.a.p5121
dude that's such a clever pun
@Kite-Break
+
@neetmagnet3591
chris matassa gay
@King-ty7mz
NEET Magnet chill dude
@isaiahmoseley5503
chris matassa probably the best quote ever
@giannat418
Wow, they really named a sport after this band, such legends
@c.norvell4844
This made me laugh out loud in the best of ways. Really need that today. Thank you OP.
@GeekLevelAsian
Underrated comment
@matthaus9408
Lol, im laughing as fuck