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).
The Corner Seat
Heatmiser Lyrics
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But thinking twice he was quick to recover
'Cause sitting there would make him just want to curse
'Cause all the stories sound over-rehearsed
But he followed over to the corner seat
And listened to the endless repeats
These people don't know who you are
You think you're some kind of star
And they've got their powers of conversation
And they need someone to dominate
Who now?
They're going to shut me out
They're going to shut me out
Oh man, you know you're so in love with yourself
Now he's looking around the beautiful circle
It's a hip trip man, you can never get out of
You're the one who brought me down here in the first place
Oh man I'd rather be in outer space
Than follow over to the corner seat
Who now?
They're gong to shut me out
They're going to shut me out
Oh man you know there's just nobody else
When you're so in love with yourself
The Corner Seat explores the feelings of discomfort and alienation that come with being in an environment where one feels out of place. The singer is hesitant to follow someone to the corner seat because he knows that the setting will be unpleasant for him. The repetition of over-rehearsed stories implies that these people have limited conversational topics and have little interest in connecting with the singer. However, he feels obligated to join his friend in the circle and listens to the conversations, thinking himself superior to the others. The people in the circle are likely trying to dominate each other by showing off their conversational skills, but the singer doesn't want to play that game.
The phrase "shut me out" suggests how the singer feels closed off and unable to break through the clique. He is already counting on being excluded before it happens. The lyric "Oh man you know you're so in love with yourself" underscores the singer's disdain for these people and their self-absorpion while being blind to their own inadequacies. By the end of the song, the singer feels trapped in this hip scene, which feels unable to escape.
Line by Line Meaning
He said maybe I'll just follow you over
He considered following, but was hesitant
But thinking twice he was quick to recover
He changed his mind quickly
'Cause sitting there would make him just want to curse
He found it frustrating to be part of the group
'Cause all the stories sound over-rehearsed
Everyone was telling the same stories
But he followed over to the corner seat
He eventually joined the group
And listened to the endless repeats
He heard the same stories over and over again
These people don't know who you are
The group didn't recognize him
They've seen you play and they'd probably say
If they knew who he was, they would act impressed
You think you're some kind of star
They assume he has an ego
And they've got their powers of conversation
The group likes to control conversations
And they need someone to dominate
They want someone to overpower
They're going to shut me out
He feared rejection from the group
Oh man, you know you're so in love with yourself
They accused him of being self-centered
Now he's looking around the beautiful circle
He examines the people around him
It's a hip trip man, you can never get out of
He feels trapped in the group dynamic
You're the one who brought me down here in the first place
He blames someone else for bringing him to this group
Oh man I'd rather be in outer space
He would rather be alone than with this group
Than follow over to the corner seat
He regrets joining the group
They're gong to shut me out
He still fears being kicked out of the group
Oh man you know there's just nobody else
He feels like he has no other options
When you're so in love with yourself
The group accuses him of narcissism
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Got scared
He said maybe I'll just follow you over
But thinking twice he was quick to recover
Cos sitting there would make him just want to curse
Cos all the stories sound over-rehearsed
But he followed ove rto the corner seat
And listened to the endless repeats
These people don't know who you are
They've seen you play andthey'd probably say
You think you're some kind of star
And they've got their powers of conversation
And they need someone to dominate
Who now?
They're going to shut me out
They're going to shut me out
Oh man you know you're so in love with yourself
Now he's looking around the beautiful circle
It's a hip trip man you can never get out of
You're the one who brought me down here in the first place
Oh man I'd rather be in outer space
Than follow over to the corner seat
Who now?
They're gong to shut me out
They're going to shut me out
Oh man you know there's just nobody elses
When you're so in love with yourself
Brace Raid
They're going to shut me out Oh man you know you're so in love with yourself Now he's looking around the beautiful circle It's a hip trip man you can never get out of You're the one who brought me down here in the first place Oh man I'd rather be in outer space Than follow over to the corner seat
Brace Raid
said maybe I'll just follow you over But thinking twice he was quick to recover Cos sitting there would make him just want to curse Cos all the stories sound over-rehearsed But he followed ove rto the corner seat And listened to the endless repeats These people don't know who you are They've seen you play andthey'd probably say You think you're some kind of star And they've got their powers of conversation And they need someone to dominate Who now? They're going to shut me out