The band released their first full-length self-produced album, "To Travels & Trunks" in December 2008.
You Will Do For Now
Hey Marseilles Lyrics
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To graveled gray roads, Shakespearean scenes
If only you knew the love of degree
You'd slow that beating heart down
You will do for now
The December dark will keep me in the room
Soft ashtray eyes will beg to be found
Count your love one in the crowd
You will do for now
I swear these lies won't stay long
The halos and hubris are gone
Shadow your right with my wrong
Once these sheets are gone
I will lead you if you will follow me
To graveled gray roads, cigarette scenes
Regret won't keep the sun from the sea
Soon I'll be leaving this town
You will do for now
The song "You Will Do For Now" by Hey Marseilles is a heart-wrenching ballad about love, regret, and the uncertainty of relationships. The opening lines "I will lead you if you will follow me/To graveled gray roads, Shakespearean scenes" set the mood for the rest of the song. The singer is offering to guide his love interest through a difficult and uncertain journey - one that is reminiscent of the twists and turns of a Shakespearean drama. He implores her to slow down, to appreciate the "love of degree," and to trust him despite the unknown path ahead.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals the conflict at the heart of the relationship. The "soft ashtray eyes" of his love interest suggest a vulnerability that he is both drawn to and wary of. He is keeping the walls from speaking too soon, holding back his emotions and his true feelings about their future together. He counts her love as just one in the crowd - unsure if she is the one he truly wants, or if she is simply a temporary salve for his loneliness.
The poignant chorus - "You will do for now" - encapsulates the conflicting emotions of the song. The singer is both grateful for the love he has, and uncertain about how long it will last. He is aware that he may be settling for less than he truly wants, but is unwilling or unable to take the risk of pursuing his true desires. The lines "Soon I'll be leaving this town" suggest a sense of impermanence - that the singer is standing at a crossroads and unsure which path to take. Ultimately, the song becomes a meditation on the complexity of human relationships - how we settle for less than we deserve, and how we remain haunted by the ones that got away.
Line by Line Meaning
I will lead you if you will follow me
I am willing to take charge of this relationship as long as you are willing to trust me and let me lead.
To graveled gray roads, Shakespearean scenes
Together, we will explore uncharted territory and approach life with a poetic, romantic attitude.
If only you knew the love of degree
If you understood the depth and intensity of my affection for you, you would be able to calm your racing heart and feel secure in our relationship.
You'd slow that beating heart down
If you were more confident in our love, you wouldn't be so anxious or overwhelmed by your emotions.
You will do for now
At the moment, you are sufficient to meet my needs and satisfy my desires, but I'm not sure if that will always be the case.
The December dark will keep me in the room
The gloomy winter weather and my melancholic mood will keep me isolated and withdrawn.
Soft ashtray eyes will beg to be found
My wistful, longing gaze will beg for someone to connect with and understand me.
I'm keeping these walls from speaking too soon
I'm purposely hiding my true feelings and intentions to avoid jumping into a relationship too quickly.
Count your love one in the crowd
Although there may be many other potential partners out there, I value and cherish your love above all else.
I swear these lies won't stay long
I promise to be honest with you and not deceive you for too long.
The halos and hubris are gone
I have shed my pride and arrogance and am ready to be vulnerable and genuine with you.
Shadow your right with my wrong
Although I am flawed, I still want to stay by your side and support you in any way I can.
Once these sheets are gone
Once our physical intimacy has passed, we will need to face the reality of our emotional connection and see if it can withstand the test of time.
Regret won't keep the sun from the sea
Even though we may encounter setbacks or disappointments in our relationship, we will always find hope and optimism for the future.
Soon I'll be leaving this town
I am aware that our time together may be limited and that I may have to move on from this place and this relationship.
You will do for now
Once again, I acknowledge that you are meeting my needs and fulfilling my desires in the present moment, but I can't guarantee that this will last forever.
Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.