On January 4, 2008, after a few months hinting at "change," Dienel announced in her blog that "for the present and foreseeable future, there won’t be any more Casey Dienel." Her blog post coincided with Dead Oceans' announcement of the forthcoming release of White Hinterland's album Phylactery Factory.
Tundra
Casey Dienel Lyrics
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Somebody pulled the plug on me
So I’ll gather up my skirts to the sink
Made a bubble bath until ?
You held me like a tundra
Shifting blocks of ice, pulling asunder
Come a little closer, you’re in for a long haul
I used to watch the weather channel twice a week
? calculations of the water levels rising
But since my bay’s been emptied I can’t bear to look at it
Disaster is as disaster does, and it doesn’t like forecasting
Oh you held me like a tundra
Shifting blocks of ice, pulling asunder
Come a little closer, you’re in for a long haul
Because the water gets deeper the further we drift out
You didn’t have to tell me or even say her name
The evidence was plainly written by the expression on your face
It ain’t intuition, it ain’t ESP
I could even tell while you were making love to me
Oh you held me like a tundra
Drifting blocks of ice, pulling asunder
Come a little closer, you’re in for a long haul
Because the water gets deeper the further we drift out
The water gets deeper the further we drift out
And it’s too bad, it’s too bad
It’s too bad, ‘cause I knew it all along
Baby, you held me like a tundra
Pulling us sideways, dragging me under
Come a little closer, you’re in for a long haul
Because the water gets deeper the further we drift out
The water gets deeper the further we drift out
The water gets deeper, and soon enough we’ll drown
The lyrics of Casey Dienel's song Tundra portray a person who called in sick to work and ended up taking a bubble bath instead. Unfortunately, someone pulled the plug on her, and so she decided to shift her attention to the sink instead. The verse depicts her being held by a significant other like a tundra with blocks of ice that shift and pull apart. They are in for the long haul, and the deeper they drift out, the deeper the water gets. The woman used to watch the weather channel twice a week, calculating the water levels, but that was before her "bay" had been emptied. Now, she cannot stand to look at it because she knows disaster doesn't like forecasting and can happen anytime.
In the chorus, she sings that the person holding her is like a tundra but also drifting blocks of ice that are tearing them apart. She asks the person to come a little closer but reminds them that they are in for the long haul because the deeper they drift out, the deeper the water gets, and it won't be long before they drown. In the next verse, she conveys that someone else is on her significant other's mind, and she can tell by the expression on his face. She doesn't need any intuition or ESP to figure it out, and she can even tell when they are making love. In the final chorus, she repeats that she knew it all along and that the person is slowly dragging her under.
Line by Line Meaning
I called in sick to the bathtub today
I skipped all my daily activities and stayed in the bathtub the entire day
Somebody pulled the plug on me
My energy was drained and I felt empty
So I’ll gather up my skirts to the sink
I'll try to control my situation and move on
Made a bubble bath until ?
I kept myself occupied to avoid thinking about my problems
You held me like a tundra
You held me coldly and detachedly
Shifting blocks of ice, pulling asunder
You caused me pain and emotional distress
Come a little closer, you’re in for a long haul
Get ready to face the consequences of your actions
Because the water gets deeper the further we drift out
The situation is getting more complicated and intense
I used to watch the weather channel twice a week
I used to be cautious and aware of the risks
? calculations of the water levels rising
I monitored the weather forecasts and predictions
But since my bay’s been emptied I can’t bear to look at it
My life was ruined and I don't want to face the reality of it
Disaster is as disaster does, and it doesn’t like forecasting
Bad things can happen unexpectedly and no one can predict them
You didn’t have to tell me or even say her name
I already knew about your infidelity without you having to confess
The evidence was plainly written by the expression on your face
Your face gave away your guilt and betrayal
It ain’t intuition, it ain’t ESP
It wasn't a sixth sense, it was simply obvious
I could even tell while you were making love to me
Even in intimate moments, I could sense your dishonesty and detachment
Drifting blocks of ice, pulling asunder
You caused me even more pain, pushing me away
It’s too bad, it’s too bad
It's unfortunate and regretful
‘Cause I knew it all along
I was aware of the truth from the beginning
Pulling us sideways, dragging me under
You took us down together, hurting us both
The water gets deeper, and soon enough we’ll drown
The situation is getting worse and we'll eventually face the consequences
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Casey Susan Dienel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind