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.
Second Chance
Codeine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I miss your smile - it's been a while
It's been a while
It's been a while
It's been a while
First chance is rare - seconds don't ever dare
Seconds don't ever dare
Seconds don't ever dare
Seconds don't ever dare
Seconds don't EVER dare
I miss your smile - it's been a while
I miss your smile - it's been a while
I miss your smile - it's been a while
I miss your smile - it's been a while
It's been a while
It's been a while
It's been a while
It's been a while
It's been a while
It's been a while
It's been a while
The lyrics of Codeine's song "Second Chance" are relatively straightforward, with the message being clear-- the singer is lamenting the loss of a past romantic relationship. The repeated phrase "I miss your smile - it's been a while" expresses the longing for a past lover, with the repetition emphasizing the depth of the feeling. The phrase "first chance is rare - seconds don't ever dare" alludes to the fact that the singer recognizes the rarity of finding true love, and acknowledges that the chance to be with this person again is slim. This further emphasizes the sense of loss that permeates the song.
Overall, the song's lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia for a past love that cannot be regained. While the lyrics do not necessarily offer a new perspective on the common theme of lost love, the repetition and simplicity of the phrases add to the emotional weight of the song. The lyrics express a sense of longing that nearly everyone has experienced at some point in their life, making the song a relatable and emotionally resonant piece.
Line by Line Meaning
I miss your smile - it's been a while
I've been without you for a long time and I remember your smile fondly
It's been a while
It's been a significant amount of time since we've spoken or seen each other
First chance is rare - seconds don't ever dare
It's rare that we get a second chance, so don't take it for granted
Seconds don't ever dare
We should never assume that we'll get another chance, so take every opportunity seriously
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CAL CURTIS, MAX CARL, JEFF CARLISI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel Cooke
I think this is possibly their finest moment. I love their material throughout but this song just shuts everything around you out. It's mesmerising in it's purest form. Gracious and haunting
PaperThinWalls
this song always fucking rips my heart out of my chest.
ArsonRaven Garcia
i have had one too many chances..its too late now.
Chris
I thought he said "sad kids don't ever dare"