Since 2014, the five-piece has gained ground for their earnest approach to songwriting, melding together the ferocious riffs of pop punk’s latest wave with the tenacious vulnerability of indie rock. The marriage is one shared by many bands, but on Opportunities - their latest EP earning a re-release via No Sleep Records - the courtship entangles itself in new territories, mostly in those characterized by cavernous percussion, hooks so buoyant they bob up and down, and guitar and synth interplay that belong to a much older, bolder band.
The future is full of other excuses to keep moving, and for Hot Mulligan, they’re easily jumping at the chance to speed up.
The Soundtrack To Missing A Slam Dunk
Hot Mulligan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See the kid who can′t breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Follow father′s model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You told me that you were finally happy
When you had your arm around me on New Year's Eve
I guess the words you said meant nothing
Clutching to a bottle and a plastic bowl
She was crying in the back, I guess you gotta go
Come one, come all
See the kid who can′t breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottle ′cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
I′m probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
I hope there's a highlight reel of
Nights we had on loop inside your brain
′Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Did you think you could write me off?
Get the pictures that you said you wanted, all of me
That your heart beats in time with aisle steps in your dreams
But your blood displacement says you just wanted someone to sleep with
So when my mother told me you were just using me
I always hoped you'd prove her
Wrong, but you kept your tongue in check
So this is how it′s gonna go, sloppy drunk and through a telephone?
While you were clutchin' to a bottle and a plastic bowl
She was laughin' in the back, I guess they let you go
Come one, come all
See the kid who can′t breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles ′cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
I′m probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
I hope there's a highlight reel of
Nights we had on loop inside your brain
′Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Come one, come all
See the kid who can't breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles ′cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
I hope there′s a highlight reel of
Nights we had on loop inside your brain
′Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
"The Soundtrack to Missing a Slam Dunk" by Hot Mulligan explores the aftermath of a troubled relationship and the emotional toll it takes on the singer. The lyrics depict a sense of betrayal and disappointment as the singer realizes that the person they were once happy with was only using them. The song opens with an invitation to witness the struggles of a person who can't breathe, metaphorically representing their inability to find their voice and express their emotions. They try to make sense of why their voice has been failing, pouring over bottles of alcohol, perhaps using it as a coping mechanism or a way to numb the pain.
The chorus reflects the singer's mixed feelings, acknowledging that they are probably better off without their former partner, but also admitting that they wished they had stayed. The mention of New Year's Eve symbolizes a significant moment when the singer thought they were finally happy, only to realize that the person's words meant nothing. The lyrics also touch upon the singer's hope that their former partner would prove their mother wrong, suggesting that the relationship was viewed skeptically by others.
In the second verse, the singer confronts their former partner's behavior, discovering that they were using them for their own desires. The imagery of clutching to a bottle and a plastic bowl suggests dependency and emptiness. The singer contrasts their own pain with the laughter in the background, implying that the person they trusted has moved on without any regard for their emotions.
The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the singer's longing for a highlight reel of the happy moments they shared. Despite wishing to erase painful memories, they still find traces of their former partner in every memory.
Line by Line Meaning
Come one, come all
Everyone, please gather and pay attention
See the kid who can't breathe
Observe the person who feels suffocated and overwhelmed
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Try to understand why he is struggling to express himself
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Drowning his sorrows by consuming alcohol because it's what you desired
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
Copying his father's behavior to deflect responsibility onto others instead of accepting it
You told me that you were finally happy
You claimed to have found happiness
When you had your arm around me on New Year's Eve
When you were physically close to me during a significant moment
I guess the words you said meant nothing
I realize now that your words held no true significance
So this is how it's gonna go, sloppy drunk and through a telephone?
Is this how our interactions will continue – incoherent and disconnected?
Clutching to a bottle and a plastic bowl
Holding onto a drink and a cheap substitute for nourishment
She was crying in the back, I guess you gotta go
While she was sobbing unnoticed, it seems you had to leave
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
You were once the source of my daily joy
I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
Perhaps I am better off without you, but I still wish you had chosen to remain
I hope there's a highlight reel of
I hope there exists a collection of notable moments
Nights we had on loop inside your brain
The nights we spent together that continuously play in your mind
′Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Because your face still appears in every recollection that I desperately want to forget
Did you think you could write me off?
Did you believe you could dismiss and disregard me?
Get the pictures that you said you wanted, all of me
Obtain the photographs that you claimed to desire, documenting every aspect of me
That your heart beats in time with aisle steps in your dreams
That your emotions synchronize with someone else's aspirations in your fantasies
But your blood displacement says you just wanted someone to sleep with
Yet, your actions indicate that you merely sought a sexual partner
So when my mother told me you were just using me
Therefore, when my mother informed me that you were only exploiting me
I always hoped you'd prove her wrong, but you kept your tongue in check
I held onto the hope that you would contradict her, but you chose to remain silent
While you were clutchin' to a bottle and a plastic bowl
As you held tightly onto a drink and an empty vessel
She was laughin' in the back, I guess they let you go
Meanwhile, she found amusement in the background, indicating that you were released or dismissed
Please come one, come all
I implore everyone to gather and witness
See the kid who can't breathe
Observe the person who feels suffocated and overwhelmed
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Try to comprehend the reasons behind his loss of speech
Pouring over bottles ′cause you wanted to
Engaging in excessive drinking because it was your desire
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
Emulating your father's behavior to shift responsibility onto others, avoiding personal accountability
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
You were once the cause of my daily happiness
I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
In all likelihood, my life is improved without you, although I still desire your presence
I hope there's a highlight reel of
I hope there exists a compilation of
Nights we had on loop inside your brain
Evenings we shared that replay endlessly within your mind
′Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Because your face remains in every recollection that I desperately long to erase
Writer(s): Nathan Joseph Sanville, Garrett Ryan Brown, Christopher S Freeman, Brandon L Blakely
Contributed by Savannah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Neil Aldrin Lagar
Come one, come all, see the kid who can't breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You told me that you were finally happy
When you had your arm around me on New Year's Eve
I guess the words you said meant nothing
So this is how it's gonna go
Sloppy drunk and through a telephone?
Clutching to a bottle and a plastic bowl
She was crying in the back, I guess you gotta go
Come one, come all, see the kid who can't breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
I hope there's a highlight reel of nights we had on loop inside your brain
'Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Did you think you could write me off?
Get the pictures that you said you wanted, all of me
That your heart beats in time with aisle steps in your dreams
But your blood displacement says you just wanted someone to sleep with
So when my mother told me you were just using me
I always hoped you'd prove her wrong, but you kept your tongue in check
So this is how it's gonna go
Sloppy drunk and through a telephone?
While you were clutchin' to a bottle and a plastic bowl
She was laughin' in the back, I guess they let you go
Come one, come all, see the kid who can't breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
I hope there's a highlight reel of nights we had on loop inside your brain
'Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Come one, come all, see the kid who can't breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
I hope there's a highlight reel of nights we had on loop inside your brain
'Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Jordan Brackett
These lyrics though and your voice and the music. This band is perfect! 🖤🖤🖤
ramon mendoza
Why is this band so good.
RonaldReaganRocks1
Don't question. Just let it happen. Be still. Be calm.
DINGY DOODLES!!
they obviously sacrifice human souls
Raphy Blue
We need bands like this. Keep on rocking🤘🏽
Lloyd Christmas
"I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed" man, that shit (unfortunately) hits home.
carsic
the first chorus hits me like a wave
Zack Anderson
Ouch, being 28 and hearing this it’s great but everyone knows the person they built left and did the exact opposite of what they said hits hard #thekidwhocantbreath
Neil Aldrin Lagar
Come one, come all, see the kid who can't breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You told me that you were finally happy
When you had your arm around me on New Year's Eve
I guess the words you said meant nothing
So this is how it's gonna go
Sloppy drunk and through a telephone?
Clutching to a bottle and a plastic bowl
She was crying in the back, I guess you gotta go
Come one, come all, see the kid who can't breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
I hope there's a highlight reel of nights we had on loop inside your brain
'Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Did you think you could write me off?
Get the pictures that you said you wanted, all of me
That your heart beats in time with aisle steps in your dreams
But your blood displacement says you just wanted someone to sleep with
So when my mother told me you were just using me
I always hoped you'd prove her wrong, but you kept your tongue in check
So this is how it's gonna go
Sloppy drunk and through a telephone?
While you were clutchin' to a bottle and a plastic bowl
She was laughin' in the back, I guess they let you go
Come one, come all, see the kid who can't breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
I hope there's a highlight reel of nights we had on loop inside your brain
'Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Come one, come all, see the kid who can't breathe
Attempt to explain why his voice has been failing
Pouring over bottles 'cause you wanted to
Follow father's model so the blame could fall on anyone except for you
You used to be the reason I was happy everyday
I'm probably better off without you, but I wish you would have stayed
I hope there's a highlight reel of nights we had on loop inside your brain
'Cause I still find your face in every memory I wish I could erase
Rafael Gonzalez
Amazing live