Gomez completed an inaugural U.S. tour opening for Eagle-Eye Cherry in October 1998, while the press still offered praise (Spin magazine called Bring It On "a damn beautiful album," giving it an eight out of ten rating). Liquid Skin followed one year later and went platinum in England, and the rarities/B-sides compilation Abandoned Shopping Trolley Hotline appeared in 2000. A third studio album, In Our Gun, was released in spring 2002. Another hiatus saw Ian Ball relocating to Los Angeles while still working with the band at its new studio in Portslade, England. The dozens of tracks recorded during this time were whittled down and fashioned into Split the Difference, released in May of 2004. By that time, Hut, the group's original label, had gone under, leaving Gomez signed to Virgin (Hut's distributor). Despite all the critical acclaim, the band's album sales never seemed to match Virgin's expectations, and the two sides parted ways later that year.
In 2005, Gomez signed with ATO Records and released Out West, the group's first live album. How We Operate arrived in May 2006, and the band rounded out the year by assembling a retrospective collection of singles, rarities, and unreleased tracks entitled Five Men in a Hut: Singles 1998-2004. Gomez's members were spread across two continents by this point, leading to a three-year gap between How We Operate and the band's sixth studio release, A New Tide, parts of which were recorded individually by the various bandmates and then merged online. Ben Ottewell took some time after its release to launch a solo career, with 2011's Shapes & Shadows marking his first major release outside of the band. Months later, the band released another studio album, Whatever's on Your Mind, with Phantom Planet's Sam Farrar sharing production duties with the bandmates themselves.
Biography by Greg Prato
How We Operate
Gomez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And get straight
It's in our eyes
It's how we operate
You're true
You are
I'd apologize but it won't go very far
Please come here
Come right on over
And when we collide we'll see what gets left over
A little joy
A little sorrow
And a little pride so we won't have to borrow
Wherever you lead, I'll follow
Turn me inside out and upside down
And try to see things my way
Turn a new page, tear the old one out
And I'll try to see things your way
Please come here
Please come on over
There is no line that you can't step right over
Without you well I'm left hollow
So can we decide to try a little joy tomorrow
'Cause baby tonight I'll follow
Turn me inside out and upside down
And try to see things my way
Turn a new page, tear the old one out
And I'll try to see things your way
The way that we've been speaking now
I swear that we'd be friends, I swear
'Cause all these little deals go down with
Little consequences, we share, we share
Turn me inside out and upside down
And try to see things my way
Turn a new page, tear the old one out
And I'll try to see things your way
And I'm gonna love you anyway
I try to see things your way
I try to see things your way
I try to see things your way
I try to see things your way
The lyrics to Gomez's "How We Operate" are about two people who are trying to come together despite their differences. The song opens with the lines "Calm down and get straight, it's in our eyes, it's how we operate" which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The two people are acknowledging that they both need to calm down and focus in order to work through their issues. They both know that they have different perspectives, hence the line "turn me inside out and upside down, and try to see things my way". The refrain "turn a new page, tear the old one out, and I'll try to see things your way" reinforces the idea that they are trying to leave old patterns of behavior behind in order to find a common ground.
The song emphasizes the importance of communication and mutual respect in any relationship. The line "there is no line you can't step right over" suggests that they are both willing to be flexible and open-minded in order to find a solution. However, there is still an acknowledgment of the difficulties that come with relationships: "A little joy, a little sorrow, and a little pride so we won't have to borrow". Despite the challenges, the song ends on a hopeful note: "I'm gonna love you anyway, I try to see things your way". The two people are committed to working through their differences because they ultimately care about each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Calm down
Let's take a breather
And get straight
Get back on track
It's in our eyes
Our actions reveal our intentions
It's how we operate
This is just how we do things
You're true
You're authentic
You are
You are who you are
I'd apologize but it won't go very far
Saying sorry alone can't fix everything
Please come here
Come closer to me
Come right on over
Come to my side
And when we collide we'll see what gets left over
Let's see what happens when we come together
A little joy
Some happiness
A little sorrow
Some sadness
And a little pride so we won't have to borrow
Some self-respect so we don't rely on others
Wherever you lead, I'll follow
I trust you and will go along with your direction
Turn me inside out and upside down
Make me feel vulnerable
And try to see things my way
Empathize with my perspective
Turn a new page, tear the old one out
Start fresh and let go of past mistakes
And I'll try to see things your way
I'll also listen to your point of view
There is no line that you can't step right over
You're always welcome in my life
Without you well I'm left hollow
I need you in my life
So can we decide to try a little joy tomorrow
Let's make an effort to be happy in the future
'Cause baby tonight I'll follow
I'm committed to being with you tonight
The way that we've been speaking now
Our current communication style
I swear that we'd be friends, I swear
I'm sure we could be friends
'Cause all these little deals go down with
We make agreements
Little consequences, we share, we share
Their outcomes affect both of us
And I'm gonna love you anyway
I'll love you despite our differences
I try to see things your way
I'm actively trying to understand your perspectives
I try to see things your way
I'm making a genuine effort to empathize with you
I try to see things your way
I want to understand your point of view
I try to see things your way
I'm working to deepen our connection through mutual understanding
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benjamin Joseph Ottewell, Ian Thomas Ball, Oliver James Peacock, Paul Blackburn, Thomas William Gray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Emm
This song is one of the most technically masterful songs I have ever heard. Getting all those rhythms and harmonies to work together takes a shite-ton of genius. Wow. Just....wow.
Corvidae65
It's taken me years, literally years, to find this band and song. First heard this song on a Warren Miller skiing movie, "Off The Grid." I thank the band for allowing Warren Miller to use this song in the movie where I could appreciate it enough to search, desperately, for who sang the song. Much love and you've a new fan!
A-Lo
First heard this at a fast food restaurant, the day we had to put down my boxer. An absolutely awful day, and also seemingly far from an ideal location to discover new music, but that's exactly when/where I was introduced to it. I hate that day, but damn this is one amazing song by an incredibly talented artist. Thank you Mia, for somehow leading me to discovering it. Daddy misses your gorgeous face.
Richard Sylvanus
Same here. Heard it first on college radio about when it came out & didn't know who it was. Found the CD in a church thrift store for 50¢ When it came to this song it was WOW!
Debra Salinas
Just found this band in 2020 while shopping at Home Depot it came on .. instantly caught my ear .. amazing mixing & mastering & band .. HIS VOICE caught my ear this is one good thing out of 2020 discovering this band
D to the J
There are specific songs that can just trigger a lifetime of my craziness and feelings make me smile make me cry and I can count them on one hand. This is one of those songs, I pray they know what it’s done for the world
Bubscat
Each listen it becomes more apparent, this song is an abject masterpiece most couldn't name!
Tammy Berebitsky
How have I never heard of this amazing band! Love their sound, his voice and the lyrics! New fan here.
Asa
one of my favorite songs!!
Jon Saw
tell me more about your favorites.