Still, Harvey Danger has attracted U.S. attention due to their critical praise, with the All Music Guide calling the release 'Little By Little' "a smart and compelling pop album". In contrast, the band is little known in Europe, the aforementioned issues compounded since the band focused on selling themselves in America (especially Seattle) and thus made it very difficult for fans to get albums in Europe. The original drummer, Evan Sult, moved to Chicago and now drums in the band Bound Stems. For a short-time, he was replaced by Michael Welke, formerly of the band No. 226.
As a symbol of the group's close connection to its fans, they published their last album as a free download along with other materials. In 2009, they announced on their website they've called it quits. According to them, their decision was mutual, and they felt the band has run its course. The single "Flagpole Sitta" remains popular on various radio stations as well as having notoriety from being the theme song to the popular British comedy program 'Peep Show'.
On March 6, 2016, bass player and founding member, Aaron Huffman, died of respiratory failure.
Moral Centralia
Harvey Danger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drove around all night, stoplights were interminable,
But I get along all right as long I don't have to interact
With anyone else on a meaningful level, I'll be fine
Because I don't want to marry my convictions, (not right now)
You wind up in Centralia; morally.
Looking for a decent cup of coffee
And try to meet halfway.
It seems like I'm stealing your words
But really, I'm just giving them back to you.
Once again, it's all about me.
And pride is not a factor, no.
Once again, it's all about me.
â??You are weak, I am strong, and I've done nothing but lead you on and on,â?? she said.
Feeling well into my cups already
Just until my hands are steady
The spins are setting in
I swear I'll never never feel like myself again.
I'd like to go back ten years
And show you a picture of yourself now
But I'm afraid that it might kill you then
You used to be such a loyal friend
Once again, it's all about me.
And pride is not a factor, no.
Once again, it's all about me.
Then done by an inner-monologue:
Once again, it's all about me.
The lyrics in Harvey Danger's song Moral Centralia are complex and showcase the singer's struggle with their thoughts and how they relate to the world around them. The opening line "You are weak, I am strong, and I've done nothing but lead you on," is spoken by someone (presumably a woman) to the singer. This line may represent the singer feeling as though they are in control of their own narrative and that others are at the mercy of their actions.
The rest of the song reads like an introspective diary entry with mentions of driving around all night and feeling okay as long as they don't have to interact meaningfully with anyone. The line "Because I don't want to marry my convictions, (not right now)" can be interpreted as the singer not wanting to firmly commit to their beliefs or opinions just yet.
The chorus "When wicked thoughts come inter alia, You wind up in Centralia; morally." suggests that the singer has a tendency to become morally reckless when their thoughts get twisted. Centralia is a town in Pennsylvania that has been on fire for over 60 years, and the town is often used as a metaphor for hell or destruction, which could further emphasize the danger of the singer's thoughts. The final lines of the song, "Once again, it's all about me. And pride is not a factor, no," are repeated several times to show that the singer is wholly focused on themselves and their own problems.
Line by Line Meaning
You are weak, I am strong, and I've done nothing but lead you on, she said.
I spent the night driving aimlessly, avoiding human interaction because I'm not ready to commit to anything. When I have impure thoughts, I end up in a moral ditch called Centralia. Trying to be reasonable and meet halfway, but ultimately it's all about me and my pride.
When wicked thoughts come inter alia / You wind up in Centralia; morally.
When I have impure thoughts, I end up in a moral ditch called Centralia.
Looking for a decent cup of coffee / And try to meet halfway.
Trying to be reasonable and meet halfway.
It seems like I'm stealing your words / But really, I'm just giving them back to you.
I may appear to be stealing your words, but in reality, I'm just echoing them back to you.
Once again, it's all about me. / And pride is not a factor, no. / Once again, it's all about me.
Ultimately, it's all about me and my pride.
'You are weak, I am strong, and I've done nothing but lead you on and on,' she said.
Repeating the statement from the beginning of the song.
Feeling well into my cups already / Just until my hands are steady / The spins are setting in / I swear I'll never never feel like myself again.
Drunk and trying to steady myself, feeling like I'll never be the same again.
I'd like to go back ten years / And show you a picture of yourself now / But I'm afraid that it might kill you then / You used to be such a loyal friend.
I wish I could go back and show you a picture of yourself now, but I'm afraid it would be too painful. You used to be such a good friend.
Once again, it's all about me. / And pride is not a factor, no. / Once again, it's all about me. / Then done by an inner-monologue: / Once again, it's all about me.
Repeating the refrain one last time, emphasizing that it's all about me and my pride.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sam Le Duc
"You are weak, I am strong,
And I've done nothing but lead you on," she said.
Drove around all night
The stop lights were interminable, but I get along all right
As long as I don't have to interact with anyone else
On a meaningful level I'll be fine
'Cause I don't want to marry my convictions
Not right now
Not right now
Not right now
When wicked thoughts come inter alia
You wind up in Centralia, morally,
Looking for a decent cup of coffee,
Trying to meet halfway
It seems like I'm stealing your words,
But really I'm just giving them back to you.
Once again, it's all about me, and pride is not a factor, no
Once again, it's all about me
"You are weak, I am strong,
And I've done nothing but lead you on and on," she said.
Feeling well... into my cups already
(just until my hands are steady)
The spins are setting in
I swear I'll never never feel like myself again
I'd like to go back 10 years
And show you a picture of yourself now;
But I'm afraid that it might kill you then.
You used to be such a loyal friend.
Once again, it's all about me, and pride is not a factor, no
Once again, it's all about me:
Third person in the inner monologue again
It's all about me.
Me, yeah
Me, yeah.
Brillemeister
Thank you to Todd in the Shadows for introducing me to this criminally underrated band
Saucy Jimbo
Same here!
Walt Zamalis
ABSOLUTLEY BRILLIANT! Why don't these blokes get any recognition?!
Grenadeh
Good music doesn't.
Wonderful Wooly
My friend sent this song to me.
"Eh, not my kind of- WOAH. WOAH WOAH WOAH. THAT'S GOOD."
Grenadeh
Easily my favorite song from Little by Little, with Cream and Bastards Rise, What You Live By and War Buddies. And actually every song because the album is so fucking good.
Sam Le Duc
"You are weak, I am strong,
And I've done nothing but lead you on," she said.
Drove around all night
The stop lights were interminable, but I get along all right
As long as I don't have to interact with anyone else
On a meaningful level I'll be fine
'Cause I don't want to marry my convictions
Not right now
Not right now
Not right now
When wicked thoughts come inter alia
You wind up in Centralia, morally,
Looking for a decent cup of coffee,
Trying to meet halfway
It seems like I'm stealing your words,
But really I'm just giving them back to you.
Once again, it's all about me, and pride is not a factor, no
Once again, it's all about me
"You are weak, I am strong,
And I've done nothing but lead you on and on," she said.
Feeling well... into my cups already
(just until my hands are steady)
The spins are setting in
I swear I'll never never feel like myself again
I'd like to go back 10 years
And show you a picture of yourself now;
But I'm afraid that it might kill you then.
You used to be such a loyal friend.
Once again, it's all about me, and pride is not a factor, no
Once again, it's all about me:
Third person in the inner monologue again
It's all about me.
Me, yeah
Me, yeah.
altspacecadet
THX! such a great song . 🎵
austin brady
First of all, awesome song, it gets stuck in my head!!!!! I love it
Kyle Penrod
Ridiculously underrated song and band.