Though not officially broken up, the band has not performed together in public since the early 1990s. In 2005, they were invited by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse to perform at All Tomorrow's Parties but respectfully declined the invitation.
The band met while attending The Evergreen State College and began recording in 1983. The band's basic lineup was drums, guitar and vocals, though when they formed their only instruments were a pair of maracas and a Sears Silvertone guitar purchased at a thrift shop. Heather once joked in an interview that the history of the band could be told through a list of the various people they'd borrowed drums from. Heather and Calvin had been members of a previous band and approached Bret, who had no musical experience at the time, saying they ought to start a band and go to Japan. Indeed, it was on a trip to Tokyo that the band members recorded Three Tea Breakfast, an EP that established the band's reputation.
Calvin Johnson was one of the founders of seminal indie rock label K Records. The label achieved modest success and continues to hold its independent integrity, claiming to have been "exploding the teenage underground into passionate revolt against the corporate ogre since 1982."
Beat Happening (1985), their full length debut, was critically acclaimed, as was Jamboree (1988). By the release of Dreamy in 1991, Beat Happening was one of the most popular bands in the indie rock community, leading to their pivotal role in the International Pop Underground Festival, which brought anti-corporate rock its earliest mainstream acceptance. Their last full-length album was 1992's You Turn Me On, which represented the band breaking many of their established conventions from earlier albums, most notably on Godsend, which runs 9 minutes in length and features blatant use of multitrack recording. The album was described by allmusic.com as "A masterpiece." Though never announcing a break-up and claiming at one point to still practice once a month, the members of Beat Happening have moved on to various other projects. In 2000 they released the Angel Gone single, their first new release in eight years.
A Beat Happening box set, Crashing Through, which collects all of the band's officially released music except for two of their tracks from a live cassette split with The Vaselines, was released in 2002. The box set included a booklet containing a lengthy essay on the history and impact of the band by Lois Maffeo, as well as rare photos of members Calvin, Heather and Bret.
http://www.krecs.com
Cast a Shadow
Beat Happening Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A sleepy dream memory of our first kiss
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow in my direction
A snapshot dreamy keepsake of your embrace
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow over here
We'll make shadow plays we'll dig shadow graves in my shady shadow cave
The shadow grows longer in my twilight sleep
I wallow and remember your lock me teeth
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow in my direction
Cast a shadow in my direction
Bring back shadows of your affection
Cast a shadow in my direction
Bring back shadows of your protection
Cast a shadow in my direction
The song "Cast a Shadow" by Beat Happening seems to be about the desire to hold onto memories of a past relationship. The lyrics describe a dreamlike state, where the singer asks the "sandman" to bring them memories of their first kiss and their partner's embrace. They long for shadows of their partner's affection and protection to be cast in their direction.
The lines "We'll make shadow plays we'll dig shadow graves in my shady shadow cave" suggest that the singer is holding onto these memories in a dark, secretive place. It's possible that their relationship ended badly, and they are now struggling to cope with the loss. The use of the word "shadow" could symbolize the fleeting nature of their memories and the impermanence of the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "Cast a Shadow" seem to express a sense of longing and nostalgia. The singer is trying to hold onto something that they know is slipping away, and the dreamy, surreal tone of the song suggests that they are struggling to come to terms with their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
The sandman is bringing me a special gift
The dream is carrying a valuable memory
A sleepy dream memory of our first kiss
A recollection of our initial intimate moment when asleep
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
The sandman comes tonight I have a request
When the dream arrives, I will ask for something
A snapshot dreamy keepsake of your embrace
I ask for a happy and unforgettable memory of your hug
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
Cast a shadow over here
Make an indistinct image right beside me
We'll make shadow plays we'll dig shadow graves in my shady shadow cave
We will create and explore imaginative scenarios and emotions
The shadow grows longer in my twilight sleep
The hazy and indefinite figures in my dream expand
I wallow and remember your lock me teeth
I immerse myself in a recollection of your endearing smile
Bring back shadows of your affection
Revive memories of your fondness
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
Bring back shadows of your protection
Recall memories of you safeguarding me
Cast a shadow in my direction
Form an indistinct image where I stand
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: CALVIN JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@huntercarlini2879
One of the greatest songs of my life. Performed for many strangers throughout my travels
@huntercarlini2879
Thanks you BH
@ihrstinkt100
same same
@ciofpx
Phenomenal band. There's something wrong with the music industry when bans like this get ignored.
@zippagraphics
listening to beat happening brings great memories.
@trfesok
Covered by Yo La Tengo, so I put both versions in my YLT playlist. Thanks for uploading!
@1337owers
Love this lo-fi sound
@czg123
god bless beat happening!
@joep6742
Great work on this.
@kreisveldd
<3 beat happening for ever