Heatmiser was an alternative rock band that originated in Portland, Oregon … Read Full Bio ↴Heatmiser was an alternative rock band that originated in Portland, Oregon in 1992. Consisting of Elliott Smith (guitar and vocals), Neil Gust (guitar and vocals), Brandt Peterson (bass; later to be replaced by Sam Coomes, frontman of Quasi), and Tony Lash (drums), they were known for their well-crafted lyrics and songs featuring melancholic and cheery words and melodies. The pop-oriented songs of Elliott Smith were a contrast to the darker songs of Gust, while both Smith and Gust's songs touched on subjects such as anger, alienation, loneliness and despair.

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).

Pop in G
Heatmiser Lyrics

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Mic city sons seem to dumb everything down
I got wished a lot of luck
And I'll tell you what it's worth now

It's a cold-blooded style
Never was worthwhile
You're as good as they come
But you're such a fucking trial

You went and called me up
Do you bother me on purpose
You make me feel like I'm half my age
And at least twice as nervous

You go ah-ha whistling
Sweet caroline
And I'll be there to
'Cause I never speak my mind

It's a miracle how
No offence is taken
But I'm full of them then
Anytime you feel up to face them

You go drink your problems still
A statue in the barroom
You've got feelings left to kill
And I won't forget it too soon

It's a cold blooded style
Never was worthwhile
You're as good as they come
But you're such a fucking trial

You go ah-ha whistling
Sweet caroling
And I'll be there to

'Cause I never speak my mind
You don't want me to speak my mind

Overall Meaning

The song "Pop in G" by Heatmiser seems to criticize the music industry and the mainstream media. The opening line, "Mic city sons seem to dumb everything down," suggests that popular music is becoming more simplistic and lacking in depth. The following lines express frustration towards an individual who has been wished good luck, but feels as though it was not worth anything.

The chorus repeats the phrase "it's a cold-blooded style, never was worthwhile," possibly implying that this style of music is empty and superficial. The singer describes the individual they are addressing as good, but also a trial to be around. They feel uneasy and nervous around them, and it seems like they are purposely bothering the singer.

Later on, the individual is described as a statue in a barroom, drinking their problems away. The singer won't forget what this person has done, but they also don't want to speak their mind. The final line of the song "You don't want me to speak my mind" implies that the singer has a lot to say but cannot express it due to the other person's wishes.

Overall, "Pop in G" seems to be a criticism of the music industry and how it has become too formulaic and focused on creating a certain type of sound. The singer is frustrated by having to interact with someone who embodies this style of music and is trying to avoid expressing their thoughts on the matter.

Line by Line Meaning

Mic city sons seem to dumb everything down
The people around here seem to lack intelligence and simplify everything

I got wished a lot of luck
I received a lot of well wishes

And I'll tell you what it's worth now
Let me explain what it means to me now

It's a cold-blooded style
My approach is calculated and indifferent

Never was worthwhile
It was never worth the effort

You're as good as they come
You are among the best

But you're such a fucking trial
But you are a challenging person to deal with

You went and called me up
You called me on the phone

Do you bother me on purpose
Are you intentionally trying to annoy me?

You make me feel like I'm half my age
You make me feel immature

And at least twice as nervous
And extremely anxious