Scott Martin and Ryan Norris with Jonathan Marx and William Tyler hail from… Read Full Bio ↴Scott Martin and Ryan Norris with Jonathan Marx and William Tyler hail from Nashville, TN with their beautiful sounds. Members of Lambchop, Silver Jews, Character, Revenge of the Tomorrow People, and more.

Influences: Early Kraftwerk, Can, Cluster, Mouse on Mars, Tortoise, Fourtet, Chicago Underground (Duo, Trio, Quartet), Brian Eno, Jim O'Rourke, Deerhoof, Brian Wilson, Ennio Morricone, lates 60's early 70's Miles Davis, Neu!, etc.

http://www.myspace.com/handsoffcuba

Women
Lambchop & Hands Off Cuba Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Women help to create the kind of men they despise
Misery is often apparent of some affecting touches
That were composed under her name
Or, the dignity of criticism increases the confusion in men

Her heart clenched, sexual
More breathlessly than if she had
And she felt that she was equipped to understand them

The passage of time increases the confusion in men
I've seen it

She loved the spare texture
Of his difficult, and sad books,
And felt she was exceptionally
Equipped with Stanley Wilson's
Distractions

Rug that opened as a well of color at her feet

Was everywhere,
And the lamps
In the middle of the day:
The low,
Deeply recessed

Casement windows were running with rain
And wet leaves.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Lambchop's “Women Help To Create The Kind Of Men They Despise” suggest that women have a part in creating the men they despise. It highlights that the misery or dissatisfaction women feel within a relationship could be a result of certain actions or traits that they may have encouraged, either consciously or subconsciously, in the men they are with. The opening line, “Women help to create the kind of men they despise,” immediately calls out this idea.

The next few lines, “Misery is often apparent of some affecting touches / That were composed under her name / Or, the dignity of criticism increases the confusion in men,” further suggest that women can have an impact on men’s behavior either by the way they behave, or as a result of their criticism. The singer of the song seems to have been close to someone who embodied these characteristics, someone she felt was equipped to understand and relate to her. However, as time passed, she saw that this person became increasingly confused and ultimately failed to connect with her.

The lyrics use vivid imagery such as “deeply recessed casement windows running with rain,” and “the spare texture of his difficult, and sad books”. These help to create a picture of a somber and melancholic atmosphere, which is supported by the slow and mellow tone of the music. The song suggests that the instability and dissatisfaction in relationships may be partly due to baggage brought by both parties from their past experiences.

Overall, the song is contemplative and introspective, prompting listeners to reflect on the way their actions and attitudes might affect their relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Women help to create the kind of men they despise
Women unknowingly contribute to the development of men who possess qualities that they dislike

Misery is often apparent of some affecting touches
Pain and suffering are frequently evident from certain actions and gestures

That were composed under her name
Those actions and gestures were carried out by someone closely associated with her

Or, the dignity of criticism increases the confusion in men
Alternatively, when criticism is delivered in a respectful and courteous manner, it can further perplex men

Her heart clenched, sexual
Her emotions were stirred, possibly in a sexual manner

More breathlessly than if she had
So intensely that it left her breathless

And she felt that she was equipped to understand them
She believed that she had the necessary abilities to comprehend their feelings and actions

The passage of time increases the confusion in men
As time passes, men become more bewildered and perplexed

I've seen it
The artist has observed this phenomenon

She loved the spare texture
She was fond of the simplistic nature

Of his difficult, and sad books,
Of his intricate and melancholic literature

And felt she was exceptionally
And believed that she possessed unique qualities

Equipped with Stanley Wilson's
Capable of grasping Stanley Wilson's

Distractions
Distractions or diversions that he provides

Rug that opened as a well of color at her feet
A rug that was so vibrant in color that it appeared as an opening well laying at her feet

Was everywhere,
It could be seen all around