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
Ping One Down
Gomez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ride the tide again
Test the water, jump right in
And try to swim
So ping one down
Let it sink
Sink on down
We should take off the lotion
Let the sun shine in
Admire the holes with shaded eyes
And fry again
And ping one down
Let it sink
Sink on down
Like heavy metal
Ping one down
Let it sink
Don't ponce around
Like poor old men
Colour clean
This sterile scene
Move as we please
No use in complaining
Purify now
Saints alive
We're all deprived
Be careful what you're saying
We've been on a safari
Just collecting skin
Head to toe in camouflage
But high again
So ping one down
And let it sink
Sink on down
Like heavy metal
Colour clean
This sterile scene
Move as we please
No use in complaining
Purify now
Saints alive
We're all deprived
Be careful what you're saying
Careful what you're saying
Careful what you're saying
The song Ping One Down by Gomez portrays the idea of returning to the ocean, with its vastness and multiple facets, as a metaphor for returning to something wild and untamed. The first verse references testing the waters and jumping right in, not being afraid to take risks and embrace the unknown. The chorus repeats the phrase "ping one down" and encourages sinking deeper and deeper with each "ping," alluding to letting go of inhibitions and embracing the heavy and raw aspects of life.
The second verse brings forth the idea of removing protection and letting oneself be vulnerable to the elements, letting the sun shine in and feeling the heat. The line "admire the holes with shaded eyes" suggests that sometimes we have to look at things from a different perspective to fully appreciate them, even if that means shielding ourselves from the light. The bridge emphasizes the importance of moving forward and not getting caught up in complaints, making moves and purifying ourselves to give us a fresh start.
Overall, Ping One Down seems to be a call to action, a reminder to not be complacent in our lives and to embrace the wild aspects of ourselves, even if it means getting a little lost in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll return to the ocean
We'll go back to where we came from.
Ride the tide again
Go with the flow.
Test the water, jump right in
Take risks and try new things.
And try to swim
Attempt to succeed.
So ping one down
Take a shot.
Let it sink
Let it be.
Sink on down
Disappear out of view.
Like heavy metal
Fall quickly.
We should take off the lotion
Stop protecting ourselves and be vulnerable.
Let the sun shine in
Allow ourselves to be exposed.
Admire the holes with shaded eyes
Look at things from a different perspective.
And fry again
Take risks despite the potential consequences.
Don't ponce around
Stop acting foolishly.
Like poor old men
Like someone who has lost their spark.
Colour clean
Make things right.
This sterile scene
This dull and lifeless environment.
Move as we please
Take control of our own lives.
No use in complaining
Complaining won't help.
Purify now
Cleanse ourselves of negativity.
Saints alive
A exclamation of surprise.
We're all deprived
We're all lacking something.
Be careful what you're saying
Be conscious of the words you use.
We've been on a safari
We've been on a wild adventure.
Just collecting skin
Collecting experiences.
Head to toe in camouflage
In disguise.
And let it sink
Allow it to fade away.
Careful what you're saying
Be aware of the impact of your words.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BEN OTTEWELL, IAN THOMAS BALL, OLIVER JAMES PEACOCK, PAUL BLACKBURN, THOMAS WILLIAM GRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BKelly-395
Ottewell's voice hooked me right off the bat when this came out. Great song writing made me a fan. The best example of British pop since the early 80's!
@zacdillon4311
Such a great song, wish you guys were more recognised
@user-yw8yx6xe5u
Q!&:Ci
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@user-yw8yx6xe5u
JT|!6{ Al?} 403
😢🎉
@jan-owennugent1932
can't believe this only has 11k views
@flightyzeus2
taste is acquired
@jan-owennugent1932
Oh yeah I feel like I can take on a whole army!
@TheMalkavianPrince
I can't believe i'm only just now seeing this after all these years <3
@loraxpro
Very cool video and very cool song!
@Davidmeinhorn
This song is amazing LIVE!!