Dealership began a music project conceived by Ch… Read Full Bio ↴The Official Story:
Dealership began a music project conceived by Chris Wetherell and Chris Groves in 1995 while they were students and musicians studying at U.C. Berkeley. Chris W. blew his student loan check on band gear and they began to play.
Their music didn't go anywhere until the Chrises begged everyone they knew to be in the band with them, until finally, sucker that she was, Jane Pinckard agreed to learn to play the guitar.
In the fall of 1998 they released their first EP, Secret American Livingroom, which they recorded in Menlo Park with Guy Higbey and loaded with pop hooks and pretty vocals. Luckily it became a favorite of local college DJs and some very nice people. On the strength of this debut, they played Noisepop 1999 with Imperial Teen, and later that year, CMJ in New York.
Dealership released their second album, TV Highway to the Stars in 2001 after releasing a 7 inch in 2000. It was their first full length album. Chris W. explained that it led to "an expanded, collaborative songwriting process and therefore I think the songs sound more interesting. It's been fun to do a longer song than we've done previously---not just longer, but with more involved structures." It was described variously as "crunchy", "sweet", "catchy", "nifty", and "an album that's easy to love." Also "soundtracky."
Most recently they released Action/Adventure, an electronic-n-rock collection delving into video game arcana and spies in love. A couple of videos have been made for songs on this one, check out "All the Kids" or "Forest."
In late 2005, Dealership was happy to add Jesse Hudson to the band to complete their burning ring of fire. The new quartet is busy recording their fourth album and hopes to be finished it with it before 2006 ends.
Members of Dealership can be reached for comment, complaint, inquiry, or invitation to an ice cream social via email (dealership -at- gmail -dot- com). Thank you.
Gia
Dealership Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd give to not be alone.
With thoughts I don't want to know
And feelings I never show
Unless you're watching...
Roll down the window, enjoy the glow
They say ground zero is ten below
Take it fast
See through me
I'm a star, don't you know
I've got it all, yes indeed
Manufacture my invincibility
Make people want me, I'm what I sell
No friends, just money and time to kill
I'll keep them coming, I sell it well
Take it fast
See through me
I'm a star! don't you know
I've got it all, yes indeed
Sell my guts like a pro
Can't take it back
See through me
I'm a star! don't you know
I've got it all, yes indeed
Manufacture my own misery
1-2-3-4
{1.-Jane} One day you'll wake up and see me...
{2.-ChrisW} Watch her fall as we watch TV...
{3.-ChrisG} Monosyllabic punk rock girl...
Take it fast
See through me
I'm a star! don't you know
I've got it all, yes indeed
Sell my guts like a pro
Can't take it back
See through me
I'm a star! don't you know
I've got it all, that's my greed
Until you take all of it away
The first verse of Dealership's song "Gia" speaks to the fear of loneliness and the desperate need for human connection. The singer would give everything they own if it meant not being alone. They have thoughts and feelings they keep hidden unless someone is watching. The second verse takes on a more cynical tone as the singer describes a cityscape they don't recognize and a world that feels increasingly cold. They choose to manufacture their own invincibility and sell it to others in order to escape their own emptiness. The chorus emphasizes this idea of selling oneself, with the singer describing themselves as a star who can't be touched. They sell their "guts like a pro" and become a manufactured version of themselves.
The bridge of the song is interesting in that it features three different spoken word parts, indicated by the names of the band members in brackets. Each part adds a layer to the themes being explored in the song. The first referred to as "Jane" by the band, speaks to the idea that one day the person the singer is trying to impress will see through their facade. The second part referred to as "ChrisW" by the band, speaks to the theme of watching other people's lives unfold as entertainment, rather than engaging in real human interaction. Finally, the third part referred to as "ChrisG" by the band, is a reference to stereotypical punk rock culture and how it can sometimes feel limiting in terms of human connection.
Overall, "Gia" is a meditation on the fear of loneliness and what it means to sell oneself in order to avoid it. The song suggests that this kind of manufactured existence will ultimately lead to misery and emptiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything I own
I'd give to not be alone.
The singer is so terrified of being lonely, they would give away all their possessions just to avoid it.
With thoughts I don't want to know
And feelings I never show
Unless you're watching...
The singer keeps their thoughts and feelings hidden, unless they feel they have an audience.
Roll down the window, enjoy the glow
Bright lights, big city - no one I know
They say ground zero is ten below
The singer is exploring a city they don't know, enjoying the lights and excitement, but still aware that danger or strife may be imminent.
Take it fast
See through me
I'm a star, don't you know
I've got it all, yes indeed
Manufacture my invincibility
The artist rushes through life trying to maintain the illusion of invincibility and confidence, afraid of being seen as weak.
Make people want me, I'm what I sell
No friends, just money and time to kill
I'll keep them coming, I sell it well
The artist values being wanted more than being liked, and is content using their resources and skills to keep others coming back for more.
Sell my guts like a pro
Can't take it back
See through me
I'm a star! don't you know
I've got it all, yes indeed
Manufacture my own misery
The singer is so devoted to their image and success that they are willing to sacrifice their own well-being for it. They feel trapped in their own fabricated misery.
1-2-3-4
{1.-Jane} One day you'll wake up and see me...
{2.-ChrisW} Watch her fall as we watch TV...
{3.-ChrisG} Monosyllabic punk rock girl...
The singer references a possible conversation among several people, in which they are cynically critiquing different individuals.
Until you take all of it away
The artist acknowledges that all their success and confidence will eventually be taken away, leaving them vulnerable and alone.
Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.