Grandaddy are an American indie pop band formed in Modesto, California in 1… Read Full Bio ↴Grandaddy are an American indie pop band formed in Modesto, California in 1992 by singer/guitarist/keyboardist Jason Lytle, bassist Kevin Garcia, and drummer Aaron Burtch; although a noisy, lo-fi approach characterized early recordings like 1994's Complex Party Come Along Theories, with the 1995 additions of guitarist Jim Fairchild and keyboardist Tim Dryden the group's sound expanded exponentially over the course of subsequent efforts including the unreleased Don't Sock the Tryer and the 1996 EP A Pretty Mess by This One Band. Originally issued on indie label Will Records, 1997's acclaimed full-length Under the Western Freeway proved Grandaddy's creative breakthrough, and the following year the album was reissued on major-label V2, with "Summer Here Kids" earning Single of the Week honors in the pages of the NME. The Broken Down Comforter Collection, a compilation of singles tracks, preceded the 1999 Signal to Snow Ratio EP, which heralded a movement toward the vintage electronic textures further in evidence on 2000's superb The Sophtware Slump. In 2002, the group released another odds-n-sods collection, Concrete Dunes, which paved the way for a busy 2003: that spring, Grandaddy released the Floating Debris EP and their fourth full-length, Sumday, and spent the rest of the year touring, making appearances at festivals such as Glastonbury. In 2005, they resurfaced with the Excerpts from the Diary of Todd Zilla EP and a full-length album (Just Like the Fambly Cat) followed in 2006. It was to be their last, though Jason Lytle continues to tour, playing Grandaddy songs as well as his own solo works.

Additional Info:

Under the name Arm of Roger, Grandaddy recorded a joke album entitled The Ham and its Lily in 2002.

A.M. 180, which was released as a single, is featured prominently in the British film 28 Days Later.

On the 27th January 2006, Jason Lytle confirmed that the band would split following the release of their final album, Just Like The Fambly Cat.

Jason Lytle has since toured the US as a solo artist, playing Grandaddy songs from the last album and others. He is said to plan a solo career of new material.

On March 2, 2012, Grandaddy announced their reunion with news of a headline slot at the End of the Road Festival in Dorset, England on 2 September. Further dates are expected.

First Movement/Message Sent
Grandaddy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sarah, can you hear me now?
My resonator's breaking down
I met your choir by the rocks
And we've agreed to bring you up whatever the cost

Sarah, released today
There were songs in the dreams and I heard them say
Sarah, don't be afraid

Lest we fall once again

It's happiness that matters anyway
It's happiness that matters anyway

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Grandaddy's song "First Movement/Message Sent" are an emotional plea from the singer to Sarah, whose "resonator's breaking down." The singer has met with Sarah's choir and they've agreed to help bring her up, "whatever the cost." There's a sense of urgency in the lyrics, as if Sarah is in trouble and needs help immediately. The second verse reveals that Sarah has been "released today," and that there were songs in her dreams that the singer heard. The singer tells Sarah not to be afraid, but also expresses a fear of falling once again. The final line, "It's happiness that matters anyway," suggests that the singer knows that Sarah's well-being is the most important thing, regardless of the cost or the potential for danger.

This song has been interpreted in many different ways, with some suggesting that it's about drug addiction or mental illness. Others see it as a metaphor for spiritual awakening, with Sarah representing the soul and the singer representing a guide or mentor. Regardless of its meaning, "First Movement/Message Sent" is a powerful and emotional song that showcases Grandaddy's unique sound and lyrical style.

Line by Line Meaning

Sarah, can you hear me now?
I'm calling out to you, Sarah. Can you hear me clearly?

My resonator's breaking down
My voice might be getting weak, but I'm still trying to reach out to you, Sarah.

I met your choir by the rocks
I came across the group of people you used to sing with near the rocks.

And we've agreed to bring you up whatever the cost
We've all decided to do whatever it takes to bring you back and help you.

Sarah, released today
You were set free today, Sarah.

There were songs in the dreams and I heard them say
In my dreams, I heard songs that seemed to have a message for you.

Sarah, don't be afraid
Don't be scared, Sarah.

Lest we fall once again
Otherwise, we might fall back into our old ways.

It's happiness that matters anyway
Ultimately, happiness is what's most important in life.

It's happiness that matters anyway
This message is so important, I'll repeat it again.

Contributed by Kaylee A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.