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.
Loss Leader
Codeine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't take this loss loop anymore, anymore
Water - running down
Water - running down
Now things taste kind of bitter
Two muddy shoes, far from home, far from home
Water - running down
And as I walk back
I feel the moon against my neck
Loss leader, losing sight of the shore
Can't take this lost loop anymore
The lyrics of Codeine's song "Loss Leader" describe the feeling of being adrift and unable to find one's way back to solid ground. The repetition of the phrase "loss leader" emphasizes a sense of being led astray or caught up in a cycle of defeat. The image of running water, both in the form of the ocean and the tears of the singer, reinforces the idea of being carried away by forces beyond their control.
The reference to "two muddy shoes, far from home" suggests that the singer is both physically and emotionally lost, disconnected from a sense of place and belonging. The bitterness that they taste could represent the bitterness of disappointment, regret, or longing for something that seems unattainable. The feeling of being lost is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "running down," which creates a sense of inexorable decline.
The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is beginning to accept their situation but still feels a sense of alienation from themselves and the world around them. The moon, a symbol of cycles and change, represents both the passage of time and the potential for renewal. The use of the word "against" rather than "on" creates a sense of conflict or resistance, suggesting that the singer is grappling with their own feelings of frustration and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Loss leader, losing sight of the shore
Feeling like a failed leader, struggling to keep direction on a desired path.
Can't take this loss loop anymore, anymore
Repeating the same mistakes over and over, leading to despair and exhaustion.
Water - running down
Physical representation of emotions overflowing and uncontrollable, like water running down.
Water - running down
Continuation of the water metaphor to emphasize the overwhelming presence of emotions.
Now things taste kind of bitter
Negative experiences have tainted the perception of everything, making life less enjoyable.
Two muddy shoes, far from home, far from home
Feeling lost and alone, representing an inner struggle.
Water - running down
Returning to the water metaphor to highlight the inescapability of inner turmoil.
Water - running down - RUNNING DOWN
A repetition of the water metaphor, stressing the overwhelming nature of the emotions.
And as I walk back
Reflecting on past mistakes and trying to find a way to move forward.
I feel the moon against my neck
Feeling the presence of something greater than oneself while being lost and alone.
Loss leader, losing sight of the shore
Repeating the opening line to show that the theme of being lost and struggling to find direction remains constant.
Can't take this lost loop anymore
Repeating the phrase from earlier to emphasize the hopelessness of the situation.
Contributed by Alexis B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@v.watson4179
Loss leader, losing sight of the shore
Can't take this loss loop anymore, anymore
Water - running down
Water - running down
Now things taste kind of bitter
Two muddy shoes, far from home, far from home
Water - running down
Water - running down - RUNNING DOWN
And as I walk back
I feel the moon against my neck
Loss leader, losing sight of the shore
Can't take this lost loop anymore
@Pepper-cd9yr
I love Codeine, I love Slint, I love Unwound. I love despondent 90s guitar music.
@maxwellbarnhart1375
You forgot red house painters
@lawrence4738
Lowercase!
@davide.9576
are there any good playlists with this type of music?
@mariocosta7966
And Idaho («year after year») ? A slo—core masterpiece
@Paganscot
Seam - The Problem With Me
@curly_wyn
Side A of The White Birch is definitely the best that Codeine has ever been!
@TheEchomaker
A classmate of mine died at 18 last week. He was the captain of my soccer team, and I thought he was an alright guy, but really, I took him for granted. Hearing this song made me realize how much of a loss he was. RIP Anthony Foulk
@suscrieforsubscribing1146
Echomake i hope Lord Pashupatinath takes your mate in his Kingdom and gives him peace.
@TVLuke15
I'm so sorry for your loss. Carry on strong friend ❤