They began work as Ellery in 2005. Their style has been compared to the that of Sarah McLachlan, Ben Folds, and alternative folk, the Cincinnati-based couple wrote, recorded, and released the Make Your Troubles Mine EP which they recorded with the help of producer and guitarist - Ric Hordinski - (formerly of Over the Rhine). Their debut was received with positive reviews in local newspapers, and their local public radio station WNKU put them in regular rotation. After a feature in Performing Songwriter magazine, Virt Records contacted the band, signed them, and sent them back into the studio to turn the EP into a full-length album. The result, Lying Awake, was released in 2006.
Although they are normally described as a duo, backing music is provided by Ric Hordonski - electric guitars, loops, keyboards, Amos Heller - bass, and Josh Seurkamp - percussion, drums.
Oh No
Ellery Lyrics
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Until you left, and I guess suddenly I had to
I never had a better reason to look stupid
Than I have now; if you ask anything, I'll do it
Oh no, is it so old now?
Oh no, is it so old now
That we can't bail this sinking ship out?
If I had a plane, I'd fly us out to some beginning
Wipe everything clean, maybe find out what I've been missing
If I had a drum, baby, I'd thunder through the side streets
Wake everyone just to see you, beautiful, beside me
Oh no
Oh no
If I was a king and I thought you were into romance
I'd make a scene, a choir would sing, and we would slow dance
Too little too late, won't make it okay
What's taken me years and years to say
Well it won't make you stay
It won't make you stay
Oh no -
In "Oh No" by Ellery, the lyrics express regret and longing for a lost love. The singer acknowledges that perhaps they never said the things that really mattered until the love has gone away. The separation has made the singer feel foolish for not speaking up sooner, and now they are willing to do anything to win back their love. The chorus, "Oh no, is it so old now? That we can't bail this sinking ship out?", suggests a feeling of hopelessness and defeat. The singer feels like the relationship is past the point of saving, but they still long for what they once had.
The love that is being mourned in this song is so deep that the singer is willing to start over completely, wiping everything clean and finding a new beginning. The use of the metaphor of "bailing out a sinking ship" creates a feeling of desperation and urgency. The singer recognizes that time is running out and feels like their efforts may be too little too late, but they are willing to try anyway. The final lines of the song, "What's taken me years and years to say, well it won't make you stay, Oh no", highlights the pain of the singer's regret. They had so much they wanted to say, but the opportunity to say it is gone.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I never said a single thing that mattered
I never expressed my true feelings until you left me and now I regret not having done so.
Until you left, and I guess suddenly I had to
Your departure made me realize what I had lost and now it's too late to change things.
I never had a better reason to look stupid
I am willing to do anything to make things right between us, even if it means looking foolish.
Than I have now; if you ask anything, I'll do it
I am desperate to win you back and will do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Oh no, is it so old now?
Is our relationship past saving? Have we gone too far to fix things?
That we can't bail this sinking ship out?
Is it too late for us to salvage our relationship before it completely falls apart?
If I had a plane, I'd fly us out to some beginning
I wish I could start over with you and leave all our problems behind.
Wipe everything clean, maybe find out what I've been missing
I want to erase the past and learn what I was missing in our relationship.
If I had a drum, baby, I'd thunder through the side streets
I would do anything to show you how much I care, even if it means making a scene.
Wake everyone just to see you, beautiful, beside me
I am willing to do anything to have you by my side and show the world how much you mean to me.
If I was a king and I thought you were into romance
If I had the power, I would make everything perfect for us and show you my romantic side.
I'd make a scene, a choir would sing, and we would slow dance
I would go to great lengths to create the perfect romantic moment for us.
Too little too late, won't make it okay
I know that it's too late to change what has happened and that I can't just fix things with a grand gesture.
What's taken me years and years to say
It has taken me a long time to express my feelings and now it's too late.
Well it won't make you stay
Even though I want you to stay, I know that it's not up to me and that I can't force you to stay.
Oh no
I am deeply saddened by the state of our relationship.
Oh no
I am filled with regret and self-doubt about my actions.
Contributed by Brayden B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.