The band broke up in the fall of 1996 after Smith's solo work began gaining popularity. Gust went on to play in the band No. 2. Coomes carried on as half of Quasi, as well as playing as a guest musician for Built to Spill and Sleater-Kinney. Lash currently keeps himself busy as a producer. He helped with the production of Death Cab for Cutie's first two studio albums (Something About Airplanes and We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes).
It's Not a Prop
Heatmiser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't mean to be so let down
I don't know why he left the room
Couldn't keep his attention
I'll be switching off soon
It's never going to happen
Feel like I've been put in my place
A secret admirer for life
It's what's left of my collapsing night
Who do I lean my ladder against
To get over my embarrassment
I want him without regret
I want it written in cement
Such a sucker for attention
To wipe the dust off my still life
The drink in my hand ain't no prop
It's what's left of my collapsing night
I'm not moving
I can't calm down
I won't say anything
I won't remember any names
I'm not moving
I can't calm down
I won't remember anything
I'm just going back to bed
Prosecute myself all night
I'm my own biggest threat
Said nothing wrong but I can't get it right
The lyrics to Heatmiser's song It's Not a Prop convey the feeling of being let down and struggling to find one's place in the world. The singer is shutting down and feeling embarrassed after not being able to keep someone's attention. They express their desire for attention and love, but also their fear of regretting it. The drink in their hand represents the remnants of a night that is collapsing, and they're not sure where to lean their ladder to get out of their embarrassment.
The line "I won't say anything, I won't remember any names" emphasizes the theme of feeling lost and disconnected, as the singer seems to be unable or unwilling to connect with others. They feel like their own worst enemy and struggle with the idea of finding their place in the world. The reference to prosecuting oneself all night expresses the idea of being self-critical and unable to let go of negative thoughts and emotions.
The song's overall melancholic tone and reflective lyrics tie together the feelings of loneliness, isolation, and disillusionment. It portrays a sense of struggling to connect with those around us, and the anxiety of being alone with our thoughts. Ultimately, the lyrics express a desire for love and attention, but also the fear of regretting it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be shutting down soon
The singer is planning to end their night soon.
Didn't mean to be so let down
The singer did not intend to feel disappointed.
I don't know why he left the room
The singer is unsure of why someone left the vicinity.
Couldn't keep his attention
The artist was unable to hold someone's focus.
I'll be switching off soon
The artist is planning to end their night soon.
It's never going to happen
The singer doesn't believe something will come to fruition.
Feel like I've been put in my place
The singer feels as though they have been humbled or belittled.
A secret admirer for life
The artist is a permanent admirer of someone but has not revealed this fact.
The drink in my hand ain't no prop
The artist is not holding their drink as a mere accessory.
It's what's left of my collapsing night
The drink is the only remaining refuge of the artist's terrible night.
Who do I lean my ladder against
The singer is asking who they can rely on to move up in their personal and/or professional life.
To get over my embarrassment
The artist is seeking help to overcome their shame or self-consciousness.
I want him without regret
The singer desires to be with someone without any hesitations or doubts.
I want it written in cement
The singer wants their wish to be solidified and fully realized.
Such a sucker for attention
The singer craves attention from others.
To wipe the dust off my still life
The artist wants to address a stagnant or uneventful lifestyle.
The drink in my hand ain't no prop
The artist is not holding their drink as a mere accessory.
It's what's left of my collapsing night
The drink is the only remaining refuge of the singer's terrible night.
I'm not moving
The singer is not going to take any action.
I can't calm down
The artist is unable to calm their nerves or emotions.
I won't say anything
The artist has decided not to speak.
I won't remember any names
The artist will not recall anyone's name from this night.
I'm not moving
The singer is not going to take any action.
I can't calm down
The artist is unable to calm their nerves or emotions.
I won't remember anything
The singer will not recall anything from this night.
I'm just going back to bed
The singer is returning to bed without achieving much of anything.
Prosecute myself all night
The singer is criticizing and blaming themselves all night long.
I'm my own biggest threat
The artist realizes they are their own greatest obstacle or enemy.
Said nothing wrong but I can't get it right
The artist has nothing to apologize for, but nevertheless cannot improve their situation.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind