Originally called Ryan'z Bihg Hed, 12 Rods are an indie rock band from Oxfo… Read Full Bio ↴Originally called Ryan'z Bihg Hed, 12 Rods are an indie rock band from Oxford, Ohio, USA that formed in 1992 while the members were in high school, moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1995, and amicably ended in 2004. In 2021, Ryan Olcott announced that he had begun working on a new album, which was released in 2023.

They self-released an album called Bliss in 1993 and the gay? EP in 1996, one year after moving to Minneapolis.
12 Rods signed with V2 in 1996 and re-released gay? while they recorded a new album. Split Personalities, which many consider their best album, was released in 1998.

After two strong releases, despite the departure of drummer Christopher McGuire, 12 Rods looked set to make some sort of an impact on the charts with their next album, the Todd Rundgren-produced Separation Anxieties, but it was not to be. The album failed miserably, both critically and commercially, and 12 Rods were dropped by V2.

They struggled on for one more album, 2002's self-released Lost Time, but ceased to be as of 2004.

Currently, Ev plays keyboards for Halloween, Alaska. Ryan performs as FoodTeam using circuit-bent keyboards as a part of the band Mystery Palace on ZOD Records.

Mexico
12 Rods Lyrics

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The cutest thing I've found
Lies beneath my arms
Lies beneath my toes
It lies
But now it's good to know
She speaks in Mexico
Maybe behind her voice
She'll follow

I know she loves to see
Her being filled with me
In every way
But I'm not there

But now that I am told
That deep in Mexico
There's a voice
That's all her own

Stolen goods to find
From deep inside my mind invited
Breeding ground of shame

Never go to Mexico

I laugh because I cry

Now she's good to go
To lie in Mexico
It's her need
That made me sick

She's never coming back to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in 12 Rods's song Mexico seem to be exploring the emotions of a person dealing with a breakup. The beginning lines appear to be about the singer finding comfort in having someone special near them, but then they realize that the person they desire is now far away. The song then delves deeper into the emotional turmoil the singer experiences. They talk about how the person they loved is now in Mexico and how they speak with a unique accent, signifying that the singer is still thinking about them even though they are not around.

The lyrics then talk about the mixed emotions the singer has about the situation. Even though they are hurt, they still have feelings for the other person and think about how they used to cherish moments with them. The lyrics also talk about how the singer realizes that the other person will not be coming back to them. There is a sense of sadness and regret in the song as they realize that they have lost someone they deeply cared for.

Overall, the lyrics of Mexico seem to be about the complex emotions that come with a breakup. It explores feelings of love, loss, regret, and longing. It is a poignant and introspective look at heartbreak and the different emotions that come with it.

Line by Line Meaning

The cutest thing I've found
I've discovered something wonderful

Lies beneath my arms
It's close to me, within my grasp

Lies beneath my toes
It's underfoot, I'm standing on it

It lies
It's hidden or unknown

But now it's good to know
But I'm glad I've discovered it

She speaks in Mexico
She communicates with someone in Mexico

Maybe behind her voice
Perhaps there's more to what she's saying

She'll follow
She'll go along with whatever is happening

I know she loves to see
I'm aware that she enjoys

Her being filled with me
Being physically intimate with me

In every way
In various forms or aspects