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).
Still
Heatmiser Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I love you sincerely but
Now I just wanna be still
And not move and not think
Be still, be still, move and make me feel ill
I was afraid, my eyes shut
Don't open my body up
oh imagine this overhead light
I'll believe anything you tell me is right
If you just let me be still
And not move and not think
Still, still, think and make me feel ill
I was afraid, my eyes shut
Don't open my body up
I don't wanna be in my body
It makes me sick to shut up
So open my body up
Oh come on, oh come on
And open my body up
I'm imagining an overhead light
I believe anything that you tell me is right
I don't wanna be in my body
It's the biggest trick
It makes me sick to shut up
So open my body up
Come on, come on
Open my body up
The song "Still" by Heatmiser is a haunting, eerie track that captures a feeling of unease and discomfort. The lyrics are cryptic, and while they don't tell a straightforward story, they hint at a sense of disconnect and longing for something beyond what the physical body can offer. The song opens with the singer saying "I keep feeling my eyes close shut / You know I love you sincerely but / Now I just wanna be still / And not move and not think". This could be interpreted in a variety of ways, but it seems to be suggesting that the person is overwhelmed and needs a break from the world, even if it means shutting down entirely.
The second verse adds to this feeling of unease, with the singer saying "I was afraid, my eyes shut / Don't open my body up / I don't wanna be in my body". It's unclear what exactly they mean by "opening up" their body, but it could suggest vulnerability or exposure. The overhead light mentioned later in the song is also a strange detail, and again it's not entirely clear what it signifies. The repetition of the phrase "open up my body" adds to the sense of discomfort and unease, as if the singer is trying to express something they can't quite articulate.
Overall, the lyrics to "Still" are elusive and open to interpretation. However, the song's haunting melody and eerie atmosphere make it clear that there's something unsettling happening beneath the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
I keep feeling my eyes close shut
I am constantly feeling like I need to close my eyes and rest
You know I love you sincerely but
Even though I love you deeply, there are moments where I need to step back and focus on myself
Now I just wanna be still
At this moment, all I desire is stillness and calmness
And not move and not think
I want to suspend all movement and thoughts
Be still, be still, move and make me feel ill
I am begging for stillness and anything that disturbs that can make me feel ill
I was afraid, my eyes shut
I was scared and that made me want to close my eyes and retreat into myself
Don't open my body up
I don't want to expose myself - physically or emotionally
oh imagine this overhead light
I am focusing on a light above me as a means of distraction
I'll believe anything you tell me is right
I am in a vulnerable state and am easily influenced and swayed
Still, still, think and make me feel ill
I am seeking stillness and anything that interrupts that can make me feel ill
It makes me sick to shut up
I find it suffocating to keep quiet and keep my thoughts to myself
So open my body up
I am willing to be vulnerable and expose myself
Oh come on, oh come on
I am pleading and urging someone to help me open up
And open my body up
I want to release and let go of all that I am holding back
It's the biggest trick
Keeping quiet and putting up a facade is the biggest trick in the book
Come on, come on
Please, please help me open up
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ANDRE CHRISTOPHER LYON, MARCELLO VALENZANO, REMY KIONI SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The One
Elliott Smith is an absolute beast. He’s God’s favorite musician for sure lol. We’ll see you in paradise friend.
Richard Boily
this song rocks so hard
joe hunter
You are listening to Elliot. If you have not heard this album... hear it.
David J.
I am ready to admit I was wrong. Thanks for the correction everyone. I think I got so used to Elliot's solo singing style that I was thrown off coming back to his Heatmiser songs for the first time in a while. No. 2's albums are great as well (Neil's next band.)
Dean Moriarty
elliott's vocals givin me hot water music vibes, he might not have liked this but i'm loving it
Kenton Bryce
@Nate K you’re right though, his deeper vocals have less strain than when he sang solo but i feel that was just his low confidence seeping though.
KoRn Hub
@Nate K earlier in his life he had a more middle toned voice
Nate K
Danielle Marin or what if it’s the other way around? What if his lower voice is his natural voice and his higher sounding voice is unnatural. I’m so curious as to which is his “natural” voice can someone tell me
Danielle Marin
I think he could look down the road and see it was not sustainable for him to continue using his voice in this way. We hear him sing in an almost unnatural lower register which I think hurt his voice and brain a little.
ericambrosecoon
twelve views, really? such a great song.