Martin and high school friend John Berry began writing songs together in the '80s, meeting up occasionally throughout the years as something to do without a great deal of seriousness to it. They gave a tape of their work to an acquaintance who knew someone at Caroline, and soon enough, the duo found themselves with a recording contract. The duo actually debuted with the "Skyscrape" single on Ringer's Lactate in 1992 and released their first EP, Palms, on Caroline the following year. The full-length Year After Year was released by the end of 1993, with Mark Lewis and Unsane's Vincent Signorelli providing help on drums.
Berry exited for 1994's improved This Way Out, leaving Martin to himself. Receiving assistance from another batch of guest drummers (including frequent aide Joey Waronker), he played every instrument, including piano (Martin is classically trained). Since Martin wanted to keep Idaho a touring entity, he enlisted a semi-permanent supporting cast and, in turn, gave up some of the writing responsibility for 1996's Three Sheets to the Wind -- he had found it impossible to teach others the songs and have them play them the way he wanted. As a result, the bolstered lineup made for Idaho's most muscular record, featuring their loudest guitars but not sacrificing any sense of intimacy. The thicker sound pricked the ears of more journalists, who generally find the record to be Idaho's best overall.
Despite their recent underground success, Idaho found themselves ejected from Caroline. The group reverted back to a duo, with Martin retaining guitarist Dan Seta while the other two members, Lewis and Terry Borden, formed Flotilla. They also signed on with the smaller Buzz label, releasing The Forbidden EP and Alas in 1997 and 1998, respectively. After leaving the label, Martin set up Idaho Music (thanks to a car accident settlement) and issued the live People Like Us Should Be Stopped and Hearts of Palm in 2000. Seta left for 2001's Levitate, leaving Idaho as one-man act. A compilation of rare tracked entitled We Were Young and Needed the Money appeared in 2002. Idaho's latest release is The Lone Gunman, which was released in 2005.
In December 2008 Idaho contributed his song 'Santa Claus Is Weird' for a Christmas compilation called 'An Indiecater Christmas' which was put out by Indiecater Records.
and all their lyrics can be found here: http://www.slidingpast.com/lyrics/
Shame
Idaho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel the breaks go down
In the wreck of this hot rod
There's a heart that can
Not control its blood flowing
Through parts that are not easy to find
There's a road
Just in the back of my eyes are clouded with
Shame
Up mulholland
This spinal chord i love is gonna make me break
Some rules
I know the rust won't stop
It's hard to cut
From the body all wrapped up
There's a road
I think i know it
Just in the back of my eyes are clouded with
Shame
Up mulholland
This spinal chord i love is gonna make me break
Some rules
The song "Shame" by Idaho is a poetic and introspective piece that reflects on the struggles of controlling one's desires and impulses. The opening verse mentions watching the sun go out and feeling the breaks go down, which could refer to feeling a loss of control or a sense of impending doom. The next line "In the wreck of this hot rod" could symbolize the singer's body or mind, which is not functioning properly or is damaged in some way. However, despite this, the heart is still pumping blood through parts that are not easy to find. This line could mean that even though the singer is struggling with their emotions and desires, they are still trying to understand and navigate them.
The chorus talks about the road that the singer knows and suggests that they have gone down it before, but their eyes are clouded with shame. This shame could be related to the singer's desires and impulses that they cannot control. They mention Mulholland, a famous road in Los Angeles known for its scenic views and dangerous curves. The singer acknowledges that they love the spinal cord (backbone) of this road and it makes them want to break some rules. This line could mean that the singer is drawn to danger and is willing to do things that are risky or against the norm.
Overall, the song "Shame" is a powerful reflection on the human desire to explore and push boundaries, even when doing so may lead to shame or regret. It is a reminder that despite our struggles, we are still trying to understand and navigate our emotions and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll watch this sun go out
I will witness the sun setting or the end of something.
I feel the breaks go down
I sense that things are falling apart or breaking down.
In the wreck of this hot rod
In the midst of something that was once powerful but now broken or destroyed.
There's a heart that can
Despite the damage or destruction, there is still a heart that has the ability to feel and love.
Not control its blood flowing
Unable to stop the emotions or feelings from flowing through the body.
Through parts that are not easy to find
Through the depths of the soul or hidden parts of the self that are not easily accessible.
There's a road
There is a path or way forward.
I think i know it
I believe I have an idea or plan for how to proceed.
Just in the back of my eyes are clouded with
Despite the plan, my vision or perspective is unclear or unclear.
Shame
A feeling of guilt or embarrassment for past actions or decisions.
Up mulholland
Heading towards a specific destination or place.
This spinal chord i love is gonna make me break
The thing or person that is most important to me may lead me to make choices or take risks that could result in failure or harm.
Some rules
Breaking away from the norm or expectations, and possibly taking risks or making unconventional choices.
Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carlos Darity
One of the best intro riffs. Such a unique vibe
Angelina Easley
So incredibly powerful, the way this brings me straight back to this point in my life that was so fucked up, such a beautifully full and yet simultaneously so very empty, so lonely.. such a valuable time in my life- this whole record was the soundtrack..
Glenn Dean
This makes my heart ache, in a good way.