Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (CFTPA) was the beats-and-keys solo proje… Read Full Bio ↴Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (CFTPA) was the beats-and-keys solo project of singer, songwriter and Chicago resident, Owen Ashworth. Drawing heavy influence from traditional Americana as well as 80's synth pop and commercial hip hop, the music of CFTPA is a curious mix of austere character studies and playful electronic programming.

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.

Nashville Parthenon
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you ever make it back to Nashville
Remember you have still got a friend
I'll meet you at the Parthenon
That's the place we always went

It's been so dull since you left Nashville
I've read the same books again & again
It makes me wish I wasn't bashful

When it comes to other men

But if I could have my way
Darling you'd come home

Remember when you moved to Nashville
& the first time that we kissed
Remember when your mother found us
Remember that you're sorely missed

& when you make it back to Nashville
We'll forget all of your sins
& I still buy two pairs of everything
So when you come home you & I'll be twins

Because if I could have my way
I wouldn't be alone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Casiotone for the Painfully Alone's song "Nashville Parthenon" evoke a feeling of longing for someone who has gone away. The singer of the song is reaching out to a friend, someone who has left Nashville, and inviting them to come back. The Parthenon is a monument located in the Centennial Park of Nashville, Tennessee, and it serves as a symbol of the city's cultural heritage. It's a place filled with fond memories for the singer and their friend. The singer reminisces about how much they miss their friend and how their absence has made life dull and repetitive. They express a desire to be close to someone again, to break free from their shyness and connect with others.

The song's chorus repeats the sentiment that if the singer could have their way, the friend they're addressing would come home. There is an undertone of unrequited love in the song, as the singer recalls the first kiss they shared with their friend and mentions wanting to connect more intimately with other men. It's as though they're trying to distract themselves from the reality of their friend's departure by focusing on how they can fill the void. At the same time, they're holding out hope that their friend will come back to them, and life will be brighter once again.

Line by Line Meaning

If you ever make it back to Nashville
If you ever return to Nashville

Remember you have still got a friend
Remember that I am still your friend

I'll meet you at the Parthenon
I will meet you at our usual spot, the Parthenon

That's the place we always went
That is the place where we always hung out

It's been so dull since you left Nashville
Life has been dull since you left Nashville

I've read the same books again & again
I have been re-reading the same books over and over again

It makes me wish I wasn't bashful
I wish I wasn't shy when it comes to other men

When it comes to other men
When interacting with other men

But if I could have my way
But if I had my wish

Darling you'd come home
You would come back home to me

Remember when you moved to Nashville
Remember when you first moved to Nashville