Codeine released their first album Frigid Stars on the German label Glitterhouse in 1990. The album was released on Sub Pop the following year.
Their second release, the Barely Real EP was issued in 1992. Immerwahr rejected several of the songs after the recording session. Some of these songs were re-recorded for the final album. The song w. is a solo performance on piano by David Grubbs (of Bastro, Squirrel Bait and Gastr del Sol). A somewhat different full-band version of the song appears on Codeine's next album, but titled Wird.
Brokaw left the band after the release of Barely Real to play full-time with his other band Come. He was replaced by Douglas Scharin of the band Rex.
Codeine's next and final release was the full-length album The White Birch, released in 1994. David Grubbs also participated on the album. After this release the band broke up. Stephen Immerwahr has since then been playing with the band Raymond, while Douglas Scharin continued in June of 44 and later HiM.
The band reformed in May 2012 for a Mogwai-curated ATP I'll Be Your Mirror in London. They played their final reunion show in July 2012 in New York.
Kitchen Light
Codeine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some pale shade takes it all
Tangled up in a knot
One foot free, one foot caught
Light the stove with a match
I just wait, I just think
I'm so sad, I can't stand
The lyrics in Codeine's "Kitchen Light" seem to be describing a situation where the singer is caught in a complex and painful emotional state. The first couple of lines suggest that there has been some kind of romantic encounter that has gone awry, leaving the singer feeling drained and empty ("some pale shade takes it all"). The next lines convey a sense of being trapped or stuck, with one foot free but one foot caught in a knot. This could represent the singer's internal struggle to move on from the failed relationship, while still feeling emotionally tethered to it.
The chorus of the song shifts to a scene in the kitchen, where the singer is trying to light the stove with a match. This moment of mundane activity is juxtaposed with the singer's intense sadness, as they "just wait" and "just think" about their feelings. The repetition of "I can't stand" emphasizes the overwhelming nature of these emotions, and suggests that the singer is struggling to cope with them.
Overall, "Kitchen Light" seems to be depicting a very personal and introspective moment in the singer's life. Through the use of simple, evocative imagery and repetition, the song conveys the intensity of the singer's emotional state, as well as their sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
First a kiss, then a fall
After an intimate moment, the relationship quickly took a turn for the worst.
Some pale shade takes it all
An unseen force has taken control of the situation or relationship, causing it to crumble.
Tangled up in a knot
The relationship is complicated with no clear solution or way out.
One foot free, one foot caught
There seems to be a sense of stagnation or feeling stuck. Moving forward seems difficult while looking back is painful.
Light the stove with a match
Attempting to ignite something or fix the situation, but it's only temporary or not enough.
I just wait, I just think
Being indecisive or unsure of what to do next. Stuck in a cycle of thinking with no action.
I'm so sad, I can't stand
Experiencing extreme emotions, to the point of not being able to handle them or function properly in daily life.
I can't stand, I can't stand
The overwhelming emotions make it difficult to continue with the status quo, something has to change.
Contributed by Adeline H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ÅᑎƬwΛN aƦᡶur0 ᗩNᗪƦΞϟƠИ
tha standard, cliched, reactionary view is dat ALL of codeines songs are about depression n suicide lol; in reality im p sure this is actually one of they few joints that genuinely utilizes those themes in a demonstratable way
Mossy Moose
I mean in all fairness I don’t think they’ve released a single upbeat or happy song in their discography. You might be able to find a couple on When I See The Sun, but that album is full only of demos.
Basically their entire catalogue makes you wanna die lol
An Aesthetic Win
The White Birch is a challenging listen. There is absolutely no light, positivity, or hope on this album whatsoever, it’s all pessimistic, all dark, all cold, and all hopeless.
GEgg Fdgh Vxrgg
I know, right? Such a powerful line. Light the stove with a match. But instead he just stands there and lets the propane fill up the room. I guess people never had a gas stove so they can't relate
Black Hat
Lyrics?
Mazzy Star
First a kiss, then a fall
Some pale shade takes it all
Tangled up in a knot
One foot free, one foot caught
Light the stove with a match
I just wait, I just think
I'm so sad, I can't stand
I can't stand, I can't stand