According to Songfacts, Buffalo Tom's name is derived from the band Buffalo Springfield and the first name of the drummer Tom Maginnis. The band epitomized the rise of indie guitar rock in the 1990s, but unfortunately they had only limited commercial success, despite the consistently high quality of their records.
While Buffalo Tom never 'officially' broke up, they took a seven year break, starting around 1999/2000. During that time while singer/guitarist Bill Janovitz and singer/bassist Chris Colbourn worked on solo material and other projects (Bill with his band, The Crown Victoria, Chris with former Fuzzy singer/guitarist Hilken Mancini). Drummer Tom Maginnis took up a day job in publishing.
In 2007 the trio began playing again and released an album of new material, Three Easy Pieces.
As of 2018 they are again active, touring behind their album released 3/2/2018, "Quiet and Peace."
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In the Attic
Buffalo Tom Lyrics
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That started when I was in the attic
Just a few moments now
Before the whole thing collapses
See the cracks in the windows
They've been there for so long
And the beams falling
As I run down the stair
In my deep earth shelter
At the basement of the earth
At the bottom of the freezing sea
Now I can't wait
No, I can't wait
No, I can't wait
I walk through the kick down graveyard
Just thinking about myself
And I cut my finger
Walking through the rusty junkyard
And I get a splinter
Walking through the lumberyard
Trying to find a beam
To rebuild my life
I can't wait to fall down
In my deep earth shelter
At the basement of the earth
At the bottom of the creaking sea
Now I can't wait
No, I can't wait
No, I can't wait
I can't wait to fall down
In my deep earth shelter
At the basement of the earth
At the bottom of the creaking sea
I can't wait
No, I can't wait
No, I can't wait
No, I can't wait
The lyrics of "In the Attic" by Buffalo Tom seem to convey a sense of isolation and introspection. The lines "There is a pause in my life/That started when I was in the attic" indicate a moment of reflection for the singer, where they are forced to confront some aspect of their life that they have ignored or avoided. The mention of cracks in the windows and beams falling suggests a physical decay and destruction of the attic, mirroring the singer's internal struggles. The sudden urgency to reach the "basement of the earth," where the singer can find shelter and safety, indicates a desire to escape from these struggles and find comfort in the darkness.
However, the journey to this deep earth shelter is not easy for the singer. They encounter obstacles like cutting their finger and getting a splinter, which may represent emotional pain or setbacks. The mention of the lumberyard also implies that the singer is actively trying to rebuild their life, perhaps by finding a new foundation or framework to build upon. Despite these challenges, the singer is determined to reach their destination and admit that they "can't wait" to fall down into the safety of the earth.
Overall, "In the Attic" is a song that explores the struggle between staying in a familiar, decaying structure and seeking out the unknown and potentially frightening depths of the earth. The lyrics reflect a need for introspection and self-care, as well as a willingness to confront obstacles in order to find a sense of safety and stability.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a pause in my life
I am experiencing a momentary hiatus in my existence
That started when I was in the attic
This pause began when I was in the attic
Just a few moments now
This pause will last only a short time longer
Before the whole thing collapses
Before everything falls apart around me
See the cracks in the windows
I notice the fissures in the glass panes
They've been there for so long
Those cracks have existed for a considerable length of time
And the beams falling
And the beams are now tumbling down
As I run down the stair
As I hastily make my way down the staircase
I can't wait to fall down
I am eager to drop into
In my deep earth shelter
My subterranean haven
At the basement of the earth
At the lowest point beneath the surface
At the bottom of the freezing sea
At the ocean floor in the frigid waters
Now I can't wait
I feel an intensified desire
No, I can't wait
I truly cannot wait
I walk through the kick down graveyard
I stroll through the cemetery where the gates have been pushed over
Just thinking about myself
Reflecting on my own being
And I cut my finger
And I accidentally slice my digit
Walking through the rusty junkyard
Traversing the yard filled with corroded debris
And I get a splinter
And I unintentionally prick myself with a sliver of wood
Walking through the lumberyard
Wandering the area brimming with wooden planks
Trying to find a beam
Attempting to locate a piece of lumber
To rebuild my life
To begin anew
I can't wait to fall down
I am eager to plummet into
In my deep earth shelter
My underground sanctuary
At the basement of the earth
At the lowest level beneath the surface
At the bottom of the creaking sea
At the seafloor in the waters making eerie sounds
Now I can't wait
My yearning is even stronger now
No, I can't wait
I really cannot wait
No, I can't wait
No, I truly cannot wait
No, I can't wait
No, I am absolutely unable to wait
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BILL JANOVITZ, CHRIS COLBOURN, TOM MAGINNIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind