Hospitality released its first self-titled EP in 2008. It came about after the band met Karl Blau at a show they both played at the Cake Shop. Blau heard Hospitality's soundcheck and asked if he could record them in exchange for Hospitality acting as his backing band sometime in the future. The EP garnered a few favorable reviews and earned Hospitality the title of band to watch from Stereogum.com.
Hospitality remained quiet for the next few years as they worked on side projects and Papini tended to a death in the family. They eventually recorded their first full length album and signed to Merge Records in September 2011.
They released their second album, Trouble, in 2014.
Julie
Hospitality Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it snow?
Is it all the debt I owe?
That money buys on a clock
On a silver studded bead
That I wore back then
When my head was thin
All the ribbons on my coat
Seventeen past a year
Only breath could keep my heels
On the street
Thanking broad strong backs that built
All the roads and mines
That were left behind
Digging coal, digging coal
Used their bodies to feed their homes
Picking at the meat, dear
You won't break my wish
I took my half
Throwing out the seeds, dear
Hope this dirt will bind
And grow a tree
Saffron blows in the yard
Getting tossed a tasseled toe
Keep your hair tied for touch
In a brown unfolded bun
When it fell back down
Did it leave your crown
With the cloth that you bought
That was eaten by the moths?
Calling out a wave, dear
Calling out a wave will be your grave
This will last your life, dear
Ocean is a boy who wastes his day
Calling out a wave, dear
Calling out a wave will be your grave
This will last your life, dear
Ocean is a boy who wastes his day
The lyrics to Hospitality's song "Julie" paint a vivid picture of a woman reflecting on her past and contemplating her future. The first stanza begins with a series of questions about what is valuable in life. The imagery of gold and snow, contrasted with debt and the clock, suggests a tension between materialism and the fleeting nature of time. The reference to a silver studded bead on a ribbon evokes a sense of nostalgia for the past, when the singer's "head was thin," and she sewed ribbons on her coat.
The second stanza speaks to the singer's gratitude for the hard work of others who built the roads and mines that were left behind. The line "used their bodies to feed their homes" is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations. The singer seems to be reflecting on her own position relative to this legacy, as she contemplates picking at the meat and throwing out the seeds in order to grow a new tree.
The final stanza is somewhat enigmatic, with its references to saffron, tasseled toes, and an ocean waste. The line "calling out a wave will be your grave" is perhaps the most striking, as it suggests that the singer is warning someone of the dangers of the sea. The image of the ocean as a boy who wastes his day is intriguing, as it could be read as either a condemnation or a celebration of the ocean's power.
Overall, the lyrics of "Julie" are deeply poetic and evocative, weaving together a tapestry of images that suggest both beauty and loss, nostalgia and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it gold?
Asking whether something is really as valuable as gold.
Is it snow?
Asking if something is really as pure as snow.
Is it all the debt I owe?
Questioning whether all the difficulties faced are due to the debt that is owed.
That money buys on a clock
Describing how money can buy control and the ability to tell time.
On a silver studded bead
Referring to a decorative accessory that symbolizes wealth and luxury.
That I wore back then
Recalling a time in the past.
When my head was thin
When one's mind was not weighed down with the challenges faced later on.
And I sewed and I sewed
Working hard to make something that was of significant value at that time.
All the ribbons on my coat
Decorating something that is considered special and valuable.
Seventeen past a year
A particular moment in time.
Only breath could keep my heels
At a moment in time where one had nothing left but their own breath to keep going.
On the street
Being out in public.
Thanking broad strong backs that built
Acknowledging all the hard work and sacrifice by people who came before.
All the roads and mines
Referring to the effort made to make modern society possible.
That were left behind
That which has been passed on to the current generation.
Digging coal, digging coal
The difficult work done in the past that enabled progress over time.
Used their bodies to feed their homes
Sacrificing one's physical health in order to provide for their family.
Picking at the meat, dear
Referring to the act of being wasteful and discarding valuable things.
You won't break my wish
Referring to a hopeful desire that cannot be broken easily.
I took my half
Having taken one's fair share of something.
Throwing out the seeds, dear
Not properly valuing something and disposing of it foolishly.
Hope this dirt will bind
Hoping for something to work out in their favor.
And grow a tree
The potential for growth or success in the future.
Saffron blows in the yard
Describing the beauty and scent of nature.
Getting tossed a tasseled toe
Something that is thrown or discarded.
Keep your hair tied for touch
Suggesting the importance of appearance and taking care of oneself.
In a brown unfolded bun
A style of appearance or dress that is simple and natural.
When it fell back down
Referring to something that didn't work out as planned.
Did it leave your crown
Something that has an impact on their own personal identity or status.
With the cloth that you bought
Referring to something that was of significance at some point.
That was eaten by the moths?
Something that has lost its value and worth over time due to neglect and indifference.
Calling out a wave, dear
Suggesting that someone is reaching out for help or making a call for attention.
Calling out a wave will be your grave
Suggesting that seeking attention may be more harmful than helpful.
This will last your life, dear
A warning that the consequences of one's actions will last forever.
Ocean is a boy who wastes his day
Describing the wastefulness that can come from wasting too much time on something that may not be of value in the future.
Contributed by Madelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.