Phillips began Toad the Wet Sprocket in 1986. By 1988, they had signed with Columbia Records. After recording six albums and playing many major tours, they disbanded in 1998.
During his time in Toad the Wet Sprocket, Phillips was involved in a pop rock project called flapping, Flapping.
Three years later, following the breakup of Toad, Phillips released his first solo album, Abulum, which was a change from the sound that Toad the Wet Sprocket was known for. This was followed up by a self-released live album and solo touring, along with a reunion tour with his former Toad bandmates
In 2004, Phillips, with Nickel Creek, released a long-awaited collaboration as Mutual Admiration Society. The self-titled album had been recorded in 2000 and featured songs written by both Phillips alone and as collaborative efforts, and was released on Sugar Hill Records.
In 2005, Phillips returned to a major label via Universal Records' Lost Highway imprint and released the critically acclaimed Winter Pays For Summer. The album included the radio single "Duck and Cover," but Phillips and the label would part ways due to some creative differences.
Phillips released his third proper solo album, Mr. Lemons in the spring of 2006. The music video for the album's first single, "Everything But You," made its debut as a Yahoo! Exclusive Premiere on May 11, 2006.
Half Life
Glen Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or pick up the phone
But she's sure to know
That you're not alone
More on the side
And less at the home
Dust and dry earth
Where a garden should grow
It's your decision now
To give love or just get out
Don't be another half life in this house
Why'd you come here?
What did you want?
You did something right
Just look what you got
You can fake at work
Fake it for friends
But not for your children
Or the woman you wed
And it's you decision now
To give love or just get out
Don't be another half life in this house
Don't be another half life in this house
But I know you've got it in you
Let it go, just let her in to you
There's dirt in your nails
Blood on the floor
You play for the angles
You play what you know
So make your decision now
Dig in or get the hell out
Don't be another half life in this house
You'll be another half life in this house
Don't bring another half life to this house
But I know you've got it in you
Just let them into you
Why can't you let them in
Why can't you
Let them in
Glen Phillips's song "Half Life" is an emotional plea to a man to consider his priorities and give love to his family instead of being absent from home. The opening lines speak of the man trying to contact someone, perhaps someone outside his marriage, but the woman he is trying to reach already knows that he is not alone. The next few lines describe how the man spends more time with someone else instead of his wife and children, leading to a lifeless home which lacks growth and vitality.
The chorus comes in as a warning to not waste one's life by living half-heartedly and giving less than one's best. The decision is in the man's hands to either continue living a half-life or start giving love to his family. The verse following the chorus asks the singer why he came to his current situation in the first place, followed by a reminder that he did do something right, hence he should start prioritizing his family.
The final verse describes how the singer puts in all his energy and cleverness to work and friends but comes home exhausted, unable to give anything to his family. The song ends with another plea to let go of his fears and insecurities and start letting his family into his life.
In conclusion, "Half Life" paints a haunting picture of a man who is living with one foot in and one foot out of his family life and the consequences that come with such a life.
Line by Line Meaning
Count down the rings
Consider calling her phone, but she will figure out that you are lonely
Or pick up the phone
Option to make a phone call to get in touch with her
But she's sure to know
She will have an idea that you're feeling lonely
That you're not alone
You are feeling lonely due to the relationship disconnect
More on the side
You may spend more time away than at home
And less at the home
You are not dedicating as much time to your family life
Dust and dry earth
The garden metaphorically portrays the absence of love
Where a garden should grow
The lack of love is evident despite the possibility of growth
It's your decision now
You must make a choice regarding the relationship
To give love or just get out
You either commit to your relationship or end it
Don't be another half life in this house
Do not be someone who is emotionally detached within a relationship
Why'd you come here?
Questioning the direction of the relationship and why it's not working
What did you want?
Asking the deeper reasons for why you entered the relationship
You did something right
Acknowledging that there were positive aspects of the relationship
Just look what you got
Reflecting on the negative outcomes of the relationship
You can fake at work
You can pretend to have it together in non-personal environments
Fake it for friends
You can pretend to have a normal relationship with friends
But not for your children
Children can see through the act and require a genuine connection
Or the woman you wed
Your partner also requires a real connection over a false exterior
But I know you've got it in you
You have the potential to have a fulfilling relationship
Let it go, just let her in to you
Allow yourself to be vulnerable and let your partner connect with you
There's dirt in your nails
You have toiled through a difficult relationship
Blood on the floor
Conflict and rough patches in the relationship
You play for the angles
You always strategize your actions
You play what you know
You use methods that you believe have worked in the past
So make your decision now
The situation requires a definitive and prompt answer
Dig in or get the hell out
Either fully commit or move on from the relationship
Don't bring another half life to this house
Do not contribute to a toxic relationship environment
You'll be another half life in this house
By not committing to the relationship, you will be doomed to feel hollow
But I know you've got it in you
Reemphasizing the potential to have a healthy and happy relationship
Just let them into you
Opening up to a closer connection with loved ones
Why can't you let them in
Questioning why it is hard to connect with those closest to you
Why can't you
The true struggle is with yourself
Let them in
Opening up to the idea of being vulnerable and having closer connections
Lyrics © COMPASS RECORDS GROUP INC
Written by: GLEN PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind