Evolution is a tricky word when discussing current trends in music, especia… Read Full Bio ↴Evolution is a tricky word when discussing current trends in music, especially when it comes to sophomore albums. The critically lauded “BLOUSE,” the 2011 debut from the Portland band of the same name was a lush, melodic and dreamy affair spiked with whoozy synths and delicate vocals. For “Imperium,” their 2nd LP for Captured Tracks, Blouse have shed the synths, done away with drum machines and wrote and recorded with “instruments that don’t plug into the wall,” as enforced by bandmember/producer Jacob Portrait.

Sonically speaking, that comes through on the LP immediately. Perhaps bolstered by the ongoing construction occurring next to the studio while the record was being made, the sense of force and urgency propelling the record is evident. Patrick Adams’ driving bass and plodding drums in the title track usher in this new guitar-friendlier Blouse; more direct and clearer of vision, but still mysterious and beautiful.

Jacob and Patrick’s Pacific Northwest alt-rock roots (filtered through post-punk and V/U) are a great counterpoint to ex-pat Southern CA transplant Charlie Hilton’s Cohen/Patti/Nico singer/songwriter nature. The dichotomy of those two forces on tracks like “No Shelter” and “1000 Years” are at the core of Imperium. These are delicate songs from the perspective of a valley girl who grew up with gurus and ashrams played by indie lifers on a steady diet of NEU! It makes it all the more understandable to have showers of acoustic guitars and (real, not synthesized) cellos interrupted by fuzz guitar.

But these interruptions aren’t a bad thing, they’re what makes Imperium the great record it is. “In a Feeling Like This” describes it perfectly, it’s a strange place that you’re weirdly familiar with. Warm but also kind of spooky and imposing, you want to stay there for longer than you’re invited. Thankfully, it’s ok to flip it over and listen to it again.

1000 Years
Blouse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll give you something for the pain
But you'll be needing me again
No need to listen when they say
Mistakes by both of us were made

I'll give you something you can take
It's going to help you fall asleep
I move the furniture around

And trick you into lying down

I would never hurt you
Or disappear
I'll love you for a thousand years

I'll give you something for those tears
You'll never know another fear
And something better for your eyes

I will never hurt you
Or disappear
I'll love you for a thousand years

I will never hurt you

Or disappear
I'll love you for a thousand years

Overall Meaning

The song "1000 Years" by Blouse may sound like a romantic love song at first but delving deeper into the lyrics, it has a rather sinister tone. The first verse, "I'll give you something for the pain, but you'll be needing me again, no need to listen when they say, mistakes by both of us were made" seems to imply that the singer is using the pain of the addressee to manipulate them into dependence. Rather than taking responsibility for their past mistakes and trying to mend the relationship, the singer is using a bandaid solution that won't solve anything in the long run.

Moving on to the second verse, "I'll give you something you can take, it's going to help you fall asleep, I move the furniture around and trick you into lying down" paints a picture of a manipulative and controlling partner. The phrase "trick you into lying down" implies that the addressee may not have wanted to lie down, but the singer coerced them into doing so. This kind of behavior is far from loving and suggests that the singer has ulterior motives.

The repetition of the line "I will never hurt you or disappear, I'll love you for a thousand years" seems like an attempt to convince the addressee that the singer is trustworthy and will always love them. However, the repetition also adds to the sense of something being off because if the singer truly meant it, they wouldn't need to keep repeating it.

Overall, "1000 Years" by Blouse presents a complicated picture of a relationship that is far from healthy. While the singer may claim not to want to hurt the addressee, their actions and manipulative behavior suggest otherwise.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll give you something for the pain
I have a solution to alleviate your pain and discomfort

But you'll be needing me again
You'll eventually come back to me for more assistance

No need to listen when they say
Ignore the naysayers and their criticism

Mistakes by both of us were made
We both bear some responsibility for the mistakes that were made

I'll give you something you can take
I have something that you can use

It's going to help you fall asleep
This will help you to relax and drift off into slumber

I move the furniture around
I rearrange the setting to make it more comfortable and soothing

And trick you into lying down
I subtly persuade you to rest and take it easy

I would never hurt you
I am not capable of causing you harm

Or disappear
I'll always be here for you

I'll love you for a thousand years
My love for you is eternal