Through Clairecords (Sacramento), Airiel released a series of four-song EPs titled Winks & Kisses. The EPs were also sold as a limited edition boxed set, capturing the evolution of Airiel in its current form. Their CDs are consistently some of the top sellers of the label, and the Frosted EP has already sold out. The group has also been asked to contribute to several compilation CDs, including Never Lose That Feeling by Club AC30 (U.K.).
In addition to their recordings, Airiel has also gained a reputation for being a live band. In addition to playing such local Chicago landmarks as the Double Door, Subterranean, and the Bottom Lounge, they have performed in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Denver, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. They have toured the U.S. East Coast, performing in New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and points in between. Airiel has also opened for some high-profile acts, including The Dears and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Mermaid In a Manhole
Airiel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you wanna have it all
you take and you take and you give back nothing
you wanted a taste and now you love it
you wanna love it all
too much too soon and it's all over
who do you see when you're getting off?
one more step and you've got it
go man go
it's easy how you lose control
you see you see are you getting me
say the right thing and I'm at your feet
upside down throw me around
The lyrics of Airiel's song "Mermaid in a Manhole" seem to address themes of desire, addiction, and loss of self-control. The first verse introduces the idea of someone becoming obsessed with something they initially just wanted to try. The lines "you take and you take and you give back nothing" imply a selfish attitude and a lack of regard for consequences. The singer seems to be warning this person that their reckless behavior will lead to their downfall, as the lines "too much too soon and it's all over" suggest that the intense experience will ultimately prove unsustainable. The question "who do you see when you're getting off?" adds a surreal and slightly disturbing element, hinting at a dissociation from reality.
The second verse continues to explore the destructive nature of addiction, with the lines "it's easy how you lose control" and "upside down throw me around" suggesting a loss of agency and being at the mercy of one's impulses. The chorus reinforces this idea, with the singer urging the listener to go ahead and indulge in their desires, but ultimately predicting that they will fall. The final line, "throw me around," could be interpreted as a plea for help or a resignation to fate.
Overall, the lyrics of "Mermaid in a Manhole" offer a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving in to temptation and becoming consumed by desire.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that you've seen you gotta have it
Now that you've seen the object, you feel the need to possess it
you wanna have it all
You have a strong desire to own the object completely
you take and you take and you give back nothing
You only take, without giving anything in return
you wanted a taste and now you love it
Originally, you just wanted to experience it a bit, but now you are completely enamored by it
you wanna love it all
You have a deep desire to adore and cherish the object entirely
too much too soon and it's all over
Being too intense too quickly can cause it to end abruptly
who do you see when you're getting off?
Whose image do you see when you reach climax?
one more step and you've got it
You are very close to obtaining the object at this point
I wanna see you fall backwards forwards
I want to watch you stumble, first one way and then another
go man go
Come on, give it your all
it's easy how you lose control
It's effortless for you to succumb to your desires
you see you see are you getting me
Do you comprehend what I am saying to you, do you understand?
say the right thing and I'm at your feet
If you say what I want to hear, I will be at your mercy
upside down throw me around
Flip me around in circles until I'm disoriented
Contributed by Thomas I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.