The band began as an acoustic freak-folk solo project Hop Along, Queen Ansleis in 2004, during Frances Quinlan's senior year in high school. The album Freshman Year was released in the summer of 2005. Three years later, in 2008, drummer Mark Quinlan (Frances Quinlan's brother) joined the project, followed by bassist Tyler Long in 2009. In light of the new formation, the name was shortened, possibly to better reflect the change from solo project to full band. Thus far, Hop Along has released one EP, Wretches, in 2009, and one full-length LP, entitled Get Disowned, which was released on May 5, 2012 to a highly positive critical response from independent music press. During the this time, Joe Reinhart (Algernon Cadwallader) was added on second guitar. In October 2014, Hop Along signed to indie rock label Saddle Creek Records, releasing Painted Shut in 2015.
Hop Along's third album Bark Your Head Off, Dog was released in 2018, incorporating strings and more varied instrumentation, as well as a brighter, more expansive sound.
Well-dressed
Hop Along Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Louisiana, my disordered road always led straight back into you
"Ha ha ha" goes the train
I wanted to leave but here I am again, Louisiana!
I don't remember
I don't remember ever shaking hands with you-know-who
When I was alive, I lived despite the law
It's built a freeway all around my bed
I saw it once open its great mouth wide
But it was so full of afflicted houses and buildings
I can't remember what it was saying
Well-dressed
Well, some of us are, that is
The ones who know how, that is
Some of us are, that is
The ones who know how, that is, that is, that is, that is
I read about you and came home to find my mother
Staring deep into the dark, dark web
She started begging me
Not to give my social security number to anybody else
There goes the sound of the freeway
"Ha ha ha ha ha" goes the train
"Ha ha ha ha ha" goes the train
Well-dressed, but walking, I
Walking, I
I don't wanna go back, no, no
The song "Well-dressed" by Hop Along is a beautifully haunting and introspective piece that seems to be reflecting on the idea of returning to a place of familiarity after wanting to leave it behind. The lyrics "Well-dressed, but walking in the wrong direction" is a metaphorical reference to the singer appearing to be put together on the surface, but feeling lost or disoriented in reality. The mention of Louisiana is assumed to be a reference to 'home' and coming back to it somehow.
The following verse where the singer mentions 'You-know-who' refers to someone who the singer has purposefully decided to forget, even though they may have had a significant role in their past. It can be assumed that the singer may be trying to suppress certain memories of their past, perhaps because they are painful or nostalgic.
The line "When I was alive, I lived despite the law. Now the law has buried me many, many times," is a reflection on the idea of redemption after living a life of opposition. It may refer to how people can feel that the lifestyle they have lived was not going to lead them anywhere, and therefore they want to make a change to better their situation. However, the change may not always be comfortable, and the singer may be feeling trapped within their own choices.
Overall, "Well-dressed" is an introspective song that is open to various interpretations. From feelings of nostalgia, memories of the past, and the fear of being trapped within oneself, the song sparks an emotional response that can vary from person to person.
Line by Line Meaning
Well-dressed, but walking
Looking presentable, but moving in the wrong direction
In the wrong direction
Heading towards an undesirable destination
Louisiana
Referring to a place of significance or personal history
My disordered road always led straight back into you
My chaotic path in life always ended up leading me back to you
Ha ha ha, goes the train
Mimicking the sound of a train as if it's mocking the artist
I wanted to leave but here I am again
Despite wanting to move on, the singer finds themselves back in the same place
I don't remember
The singer cannot recall a specific memory
I don't remember ever shaking hands with You-know-who
The artist cannot recall ever having physical contact with a certain person
When I was alive
In the past, before the current situation
I lived despite the law
The artist did not conform to societal norms or expectations
Now the law has buried me many, many times
The singer has faced many consequences for their actions
It’s built a freeway all around my bed
The consequences of the artist's actions have surrounded them
I saw it once open its great mouth wide
The singer witnessed the consequences of their actions
But it was so full of afflicted houses and buildings
The consequences were harmful and affected many others
I can't remember what it was saying
The details of the experience are fading from memory
Well-dressed
Presentable appearance
Well, some of us are, that is
Not everyone is well-dressed
The ones who know how, that is
Only those who understand fashion are able to dress well
I read about you and came home
The singer learned about someone or something and returned to their place of origin
To find my mother
Discovering a family member upon returning
Staring deep into the dark dark web
Obsessively using the internet to investigate something
She started begging me not to give my social security number to anybody else
The mother is warning the artist about the dangers of sharing personal information online
There goes the sound of the freeway
The singer is distracted by the sound of the busy road
I don't wanna go back, no no
The artist does not want to return to their past experiences
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Christine Frances Quinlan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Filippo Corti
Well-dressed, but walking in the wrong direction
Louisiana, my disordered road always led straight back into you
"Ha ha ha," goes the train
I wanted to leave but here I am again, Louisiana!
I don't remember
I don't remember ever shaking hands with you-know-who
When I was alive, I lived despite the law
Now the law has buried me many, many times
It’s built a freeway all around my bed
I saw it once open its great mouth wide
But it was so full of afflicted houses and buildings
I can't remember what it was saying
Well-dressed
Well, some of us are, that is
The ones who know how, that is
Some of us are, that is
The ones who know how, that is, that is, that is, that is
I read about you and came home to find my mother
Staring deep into the dark, dark web
She started begging me
Not to give my social security number to anybody else
There goes the sound of the freeway
"Ha ha ha ha ha," goes the train
"Ha ha ha ha ha," goes the train
Well-dressed, but walking, I
Walking, I
I don't wanna go back, no, no
Blake Hohenhaus
just discovered this song recently, genuinely one of my favourite songs of all time. there is just something so immensely special about it that i can barely explain.
Saturn
Blake Hohenhaus I agree, you have great taste
Em
Yeah, this is one of my favorites too. I'd definitely recommend checking out other songs of theirs. My favorites are The Look of Love and Tibetam Pop Stars. :)
Bronson
Your voice give me the kind of chills I haven't felt in years. I love it.
Ashley C
right?
summer black
I love this song so much, like i'm not satisfied with just listening to it.. I want to become one with it : < i want it to be my religion
Zack
@Rico Marez Wierd flex but ok
Saddespii
AHA 🤣
CC Sierra
I feel this! Found it on night vale and it just hits somewhere so deep!
Scott Corder
Took my daughter to an all ages show here in Cali and was fortunate enough to come across Hop Along....they were great live...beautiful voice :)