He has toured extensively since 2008 and has opened for alt-country pioneer Steve Earle, singer-songwriter Josh Ritter and folk rocker M. Ward among others. Pug released his first full-length album, Messenger, in February 2010. In 2010 he also went to the United Kingdom and played the main-stage of the Cambridge Folk Festival. Since that time, he has released two further full-length albums: 'The Great Despiser' in April 2012, and 'Windfall' in March 2015.
Pug released The Flood in Color in July 2019.
www.joepugmusic.com
Messenger
Joe Pug Lyrics
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Her body bold and bare
You've always been a gentleman
But tonight you can't help but stare
Her senses have been soaked
I must be more than smoke
Floatin' on the air
Oh she's a messenger
If she knows, she doesn't care
Oh she's a messenger
And slowly from within
Her message has been amplified
Written on your skin
Despite what you maintain
She drives you like a train
Here she comes again
Oh she's a messenger
Where ya goin', where ya been?
And all the amber lantern lights
Preside upon her path tonight
The stars have long decided where she'll go
There is no chance to grasp or guide
The absent rains, the terrible tide
The stars have long decided where she'll go
Oh she's a
Oh she's a
Get you in the mornin'
She's a long season
Oh she's a messenger tonight
You drove your truck to Michigan
But you couldn't beat the rain
You registered a motel
But you didn't use your name
The audience applauds
On the TV down the hall
You wonder what they're sayin'
Oh she's a messenger
Who sings a sad refrain
Oh she's a
Oh she's a
Get you in the mornin'
She's a long season
Oh she's a messenger tonight
Oh she's a
Oh she's a
Get you in the mornin'
She's a long season
Oh she's a messenger tonight
"Messenger" by Joe Pug is an interesting song that portrays a woman as a messenger. The woman is described as having a bold and bare body that captivates the listener's attention. The message she brings is unknown, and the recipient can't help but wonder what it is. The woman's presence is amplified, and her senses have been soaked, giving her an etherial quality. The song goes on to describe the woman's power over the recipient, saying that she drives him like a train, and despite his best efforts, he can't resist her message.
The song creates a dreamlike atmosphere, with references to amber lantern lights and the stars deciding the woman's path. It portrays a feeling of helplessness, with the recipient unable to grasp or guide the message the woman brings. The woman herself remains enigmatic, caring little whether or not the recipient understands her message. The song ends with the woman being described as a long season, a messenger who will stay with the recipient for a while longer.
Overall, the song seems to describe a feeling of being taken away by something greater than oneself, without being able to fully understand it. It portrays the woman's message as something powerful and captivating, but also ultimately unknowable.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh she's a messenger
The woman is a messenger
Her body bold and bare
She is dressed revealingly
You've always been a gentleman
The listener is usually polite
But tonight you can't help but stare
They cannot stop looking at her tonight
Her senses have been soaked
She is intoxicated
I must be more than smoke
The singer thinks he is significant
Floatin' on the air
He feels like he is flying
If she knows, she doesn't care
She is not concerned about being watched
And slowly from within
The message is taking hold inside
Her message has been amplified
Her effect on him is growing stronger
Written on your skin
He feels her impact physically
Despite what you maintain
Even though he acts calm
She drives you like a train
She is in control of him
Here she comes again
She is returning to him
Where ya goin', where ya been?
He wonders where she is headed
And all the amber lantern lights
Lighting sets the scene
Preside upon her path tonight
The lights make it seem like she is significant
The stars have long decided where she'll go
The path of destiny is unchangeable
There is no chance to grasp or guide
He is helpless to change things
The absent rains, the terrible tide
Metaphors for being unable to control nature
Get you in the mornin'
She will have a lasting effect
She's a long season
She will be around for a while
You drove your truck to Michigan
Singer is thinking of a specific event
But you couldn't beat the rain
Something didn't go according to plan
You registered a motel
The singer checked into lodgings
But you didn't use your name
He made up an alias
The audience applauds
There are people nearby
On the TV down the hall
There is a television nearby
You wonder what they're sayin'
He is curious about their conversation
Who sings a sad refrain
The messenger is delivering a mournful message
Oh she's a messenger tonight
She is the focal point of the present moment
Contributed by Aiden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.