Owen Ashworth started to make music on a small casio keyboard back in 1997. His first two albums, "Answering Machine Music" and "Pocket Symphonies for Lonely Subway Cars," were made using nothing but small, battery-operated keyboards and Ashworth's own voice (along with occasional accompaniment by guest musicians). These early albums are now available on one CD, appropriately titled "The First Two Albums by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone."
Ashworth has released numerous EPs and full-length albums, with a trademark austere lyrical style that conveys emotions through its simplicity and directness.
CFTPA expanded its sound in 2006 with Ashworth's release 'Etiquette,' now using more instruments and effects (as well as more professional production and vocals from Jenny Herbinson). This album has given Ashworth room for experimentation and thinking space.
In 2009, CFTPA's newest album, titled 'Vs. Children,' was released. Although vocally very similar to his earlier work, the album features a greater variety of acoustic instruments and further demonstrates Ashworth's interest in pursuing more complex arrangements for his songs. His live shows reflect this as on his most recent tour he is joined by a full band.
In 2010 Ashworth announced that he was retiring the "Casiotone for the Painfully Alone" name, as well as the songs he wrote under that name. He now performs as Advance Base and a producer.
Happy Mother's Day
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For my mother to act in
But she couldn't come
She was taken by fits of rage
Unlike anything she had experienced
In her 57 years of life
And she apologized
The performance was cancelled
The lyrics of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone's song "Happy Mother's Day" depicts a melancholic but relatable situation where the singer has written a performance for his mother to act in on Mother's Day but unfortunately, she couldn't make it. The reason being that the mother had an unexpected fit of rage, something that she herself had never experienced in all her years of life. The mother felt defeated and incapable of performing anymore, and ends up apologizing to her son for not being able to make it to his performance. As a result, the performance gets canceled.
The song portrays a deep sense of sorrow and disappointment for the singer, who had seemingly put in so much effort and care into creating a unique experience for his mother on Mother's Day. However, it is also a commentary on mental health and its impact on families. The mother's fit of rage may be attributed to an underlying mental health issue, and the singer's willingness to create a performance for his mother could have been a way to get her to experience the joys of life.
Overall, "Happy Mother's Day" is a poignant, introspective song that offers a glimpse into the complexities of human relationships and the impact of mental health struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
I wrote a performance
I created a show
For my mother to act in
That my mother would perform in
But she couldn't come
She was unable to attend
She was taken by fits of rage
She experienced sudden, extreme anger
Unlike anything she had experienced
That was beyond her previous experiences
In her 57 years of life
Throughout her entire life
She felt unfit & unable
She believed she was not capable
And she apologized
And expressed regret
The performance was cancelled
Due to her inability to attend, the show was called off
Contributed by Connor N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.