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.
We Have Mice
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I watch the mice cross the kitchen floor
I used to think they came from the fireplace
But they come in under the pantry door
I get so close I can touch them all
On the nights I wait up for your call
The landlord asks if we've seen 'em
My roommates say we should kill them all
But they'll stay up with me
The nights you never call
On those nights you never call
The song "We Have Mice" by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone tells a story of a person who is alone in their kitchen watching mice cross the floor. The singer used to think they came from the fireplace, but they actually sneak in through the pantry door. Despite the presence of the mice, the singer waits up for a call from their loved one, and on the nights when they don't receive one, the singer spends the night with the mice. The landlord offers to set traps, but the singer releases them instead. The roommates suggest killing the mice, but they ultimately stay up with the singer on the nights when their loved one doesn't call.
The song's focus on mice as symbols represents more than just pesky creatures. The mice can be interpreted as a metaphor for loneliness and unwanted company. The mice, like loneliness, are unwelcome and frustrating, yet they can't be fully eradicated. Additionally, the singer's decision to release the mice rather than kill them can be seen as the singer's desire to hold onto something, no matter how insignificant, rather than being left completely alone.
The song's use of repetition and its simple structure add to the somber and melancholic mood. The song's speaker words don't show any anger or frustration even though they continue to deal with this persistent, aggravating annoyance.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes at night
During some nights
I watch the mice cross the kitchen floor
I observe mice moving on the kitchen floor
I used to think they came from the fireplace
My assumption was that they entered from the chimney earlier
But they come in under the pantry door
Instead, the entry point is through the pantry door
I get so close I can touch them all
I stand nearby until I can reach out and touch them
On the nights I wait up for your call
On the nights when I am eagerly waiting for your phone call
The landlord asks if we've seen 'em
The landlord inquires if we have seen the mice
She'll set traps, but I just spring 'em
She wants to trap them, but I set them free instead
My roommates say we should kill them all
My roommates think we should kill all the mice
But they'll stay up with me
However, they are willing to stay up with me
The nights you never call
The nights when you don't call
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind