The sophomore album Intersections followed after another two long years of touring, marking a refocus of Into It. Over It.'s sound from pop punk-oriented songs to a more instrumentally broad, indie-centric approach. With a new live lineup to match the sonic shift, Into It. Over It. went out on the road again and appeared not only on long headlining tours, but also large festivals such as Lollapalooza and Riot Fest. Between the never-ending string of full band and solo shows that Evan is perpetually caught on, work on the third Into It. Over It. album has begun with a January 2015 writing session, entailing Evan and Into It. Over It.'s current drummer Josh Sparks being holled up in a cabin for thirty days. Since the fifth grade, Evan spent many years writing, recording and touring in bands. His first band was The Progress, formed with his grade school friends. Evan was a bass player in many of his early bands as a result of losing a coin toss with the other members of The Progress to decide who would play guitar in the band. Prior to the initiation of Into It. Over It., Evan was also in Damiera, Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start, Labour, Map the Growth,, The Funeral Bird, Hiroshima Mon'Amour, Sleeper Agents, The French Connection, Emergency and Forgive Her Choke Her. More recently, Evan has spent his time off from Into It. Over It. in Stay Ahead of the Weather with the other members of Into It. Over It.'s first touring lineup, Pet Symmetry with members of Dowsing, and Their / They're / There with Matthew Frank of Loose Lips Sink Ships and Mike Kinsella of Owen.
All Thumbs Down
Into It. Over It. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The first few lines of "All Thumbs Down" by Into It. Over It. suggest a longing for a connection that has somehow been severed, and a nostalgia for a time when that connection was still intact. The singer notes that, despite hardly speaking to this person, they can still smell them on their clothes, creating a sense of closeness that might not actually be there. This is further emphasized by the desire to see this person every day, and the fact that without them in bed, the nights are empty and unfulfilling. The mention of "strings and cables" suggests a sense of being tied down or constrained, unable to move forward without this person.
As the song progresses, however, it becomes clear that this connection may be gone for good. The line "Germany might have to wait" suggests a missed opportunity, a road not taken, and the reference to a "show of hands all thumbs down" hints at failure or rejection. Despite this, the singer still holds onto a sense of admiration for this person, wishing that they could ride their bike down the streets of Mülheim with their card stuck in the spokes. The final lines repeat the idea of being held back, but this time it is clear that the constraint comes from within, rather than from any external force.
Overall, "All Thumbs Down" portrays a sense of longing and nostalgia for a connection that may no longer exist, while also acknowledging the possibility of failure and rejection. The lyrics suggest a desire for freedom and motion, but also a sense of being constrained by past choices and actions.
Line by Line Meaning
It's almost like we've hardly spoke, but all my clothes still smell like smoke so it's almost like I've seen you all week.
Even though we haven't talked much, my clothes still have the smell of you, making me feel like you're around all week.
Taking a break from driving with your exhaustpipe in your driveway;
You're taking a break from driving and resting in your driveway.
If I could see you everyday, I'd take you to my place 'cause without you in bed it's nights with strings and cables instead, and they don't hold you back as much as you want.
I wish to see you every day and take you to my place, as without you in bed, the nights are just spent with strings and cables that don't provide as much comfort as you do.
They won't hold you back. Germany might have to wait.
The strings and cables won't hold you back, but the trip to Germany might have to wait.
What was a well planned show of yours is now a show of hands all thumbs down.
Your well-planned show now has a negative reception and is failing.
But if I was them I'd put your card through my bike spokes and ride that thing down every street in Mülheim.
If I were one of the audience members, I'd sabotage your success by putting your card in my bike spokes and riding down the streets of Mülheim.
'Cause without you in bed it's nights with strings and cables instead and they don't hold you back. As much as you want, they won't hold you back.
Without you in bed, the nights feel empty and mechanical. The strings and cables can't provide the comfort you bring as much as you want.
Contributed by Micah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.