The band was formed in 1990 by Greg Mckenna and Kay Hanley, from ashes of their former band, Rebbecca Lula. After numerous member changes, the classic Letters to Cleo line-up was solidified. They included Hanley and Mckenna, Mike Eisenstein on guitar, Stacy Jones on drums and Scott Riebling on bass. After years of playing the Boston club circuit, including TT The Bears Place and The Rathskellar, Letters released their first full length record, Aurora Gory Alice on CherryDisc in 1993.
The album received extensive airplay around the region and after a much hyped show at South by Southwest in Austin, Letters to Cleo signed a major label record deal with Giant Records and Aurora Gory Alice was re-released worldwide.
They had their first big hit single with "Here & Now" and the song would later appear on the Melrose Place soundtrack, where it got most of its exposure. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Singles chart. Appearances on Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart followed.
In 1995, Wholesale Meats and Fish was released and followed by extensive tours with Our Lady Peace, Sponge, Ned's Atomic Dustbin and others. The single "Awake" was released and achieved moderate rotation on alternative radio. The band also recorded a cover of The Cars song "The Dangerous Type" for the major motion picture, The Craft.
In 1997, Stacy Jones left the band to join Veruca Salt and was replaced by Tom Polce. That same year, LTC's third album "Go" was released. After a short tour, Polce left the band and was replaced by drummer Jason Sutter. In late 1997, Letters to Cleo parted ways with their record label Giant/Revolution.
1998 saw the release of some early demos and B-sides in the form of the "Sister" EP on Wicked Disc.
Letters to Cleo appeared in the film 10 Things I Hate about You in 1999 (one of the characters considers them a favorite band). They contributed three songs to the soundtrack for the film, including one original track, "Come On", a Cheap Trick cover ("I Want You to Want Me") and a Nick Lowe cover ("Cruel to Be Kind"). Whereas the covers appeared on the film's sountrack, "Come On" did not. It was released as an MP3 downloadable from the Band's website. During that same year, LTC opened for Cheap Trick at The Paradise club in Boston.
The band played its last show on May 4, 2000, a benefit for their friend and longtime local supporter, Mikey D. They announced their disbandment in the Boston Globe the following month. Most of the band members are now involved in solo careers. Most notable is Kay Hanley's career, which produced the album "Cherry Marmalade in 2002 and the EP The Babydoll EP in 2004. Hanley also provided the singing voice for the Josie character in the 2001 motion picture Josie and the Pussycats.
Former drummer Stacy Jones went on to form American Hi-Fi with fellow Boston musicians Drew Parsons, Jamie Arentzen and Brian Nolan.
Scott Riebling went into the production side of music and is now a highly sought after producer and engineer.
Co-founding member Greg McKenna is currently finishing work on his solo project, Murder Capitol of the World. The debut album is due in 2007.
Awake
Letters to Cleo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a long time too
Everything's still the same
And so are you
It's only in this light
That I could see what you'd be like
If it took a million years well
You're awake and I'm asleep and
We are so complete that way
You're asleep and I'm awake
Everything is so great
Everything is so great
Oh yeah
Heavy
I wash my hands of you
I wash my dirty feet too
And when I wash my hair
The dust clouds disappear
You're leaning out the window
Beating down a path real slow
With your heavy plastic bags and
Heavy head
You're awake and I'm asleep and
We are so complete that way
You're asleep and I'm awake and
Everything is so great
Everything is so great
Yeah
Oh yeah
I wish we had a laugh
But you're just not funny
Baby I'm leaving out the irony
You're awake and I'm asleep and
We are so complete that way
You're asleep and I'm awake and
Everything is so great
Everything is so great
Yeah
The song "Awake" performed by Letters to Cleo is a sensational song with thoughtful lyrics that can be interpreted in various ways. It portrays a story of a person who has been away for some time and upon their return, they realize that everything remains the same, and so does the person they left behind. The first verse "I guess it's been a while, and a long time too, everything's still the same, and so are you," suggests that while the person has been away, nothing has changed, and neither has the other person.
The second verse, "It's only in this light that I could see what you'd be like, If it took a million years well, this is what I am" brings out the realization that the person left behind has not grown or changed in any way. The person who left is only seeing them in a new light, and they have come to terms with the fact that the person has not changed. The chorus, "You're awake, and I'm asleep, and we are so complete that way, You're asleep, and I'm awake, everything is so great," suggests that both parties have different perspectives but somehow complement each other, and they find comfort in this.
The bridge, "I wish we had a laugh, but you're just not funny, baby, I'm leaving out the irony," suggests that there is a lack of humor and possibly a disconnect between the two people. This line is a play on words, possibly implying that the singer is leaving out the "irony" in the sense that the person they left behind is unable to view things in a different light or that they are stuck in their ways.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess it's been a while
It's been a long time since we've seen each other or talked.
And a long time too
It's been a really long time since we've seen each other or talked.
Everything's still the same
Nothing has changed since the last time we saw each other or talked.
And so are you
You haven't changed since the last time we saw each other or talked.
It's only in this light
Only in this specific situation, I can see what you would be like.
That I could see what you'd be like
I can only imagine what you would be like in this situation.
If it took a million years well
If it took an incredibly long time, I would still see you the same way.
This is what I am
This is who I am, and I won't change my feelings about you.
You're awake and I'm asleep and
Our roles are opposite, you are alert and awake, while I am tired and asleep.
We are so complete that way
Our differences balance each other out and we complement each other perfectly.
Everything is so great
Our relationship is perfect the way it is.
Oh yeah
Indeed, our relationship is great.
Heavy
An interjection to express the feeling of the situation being intense or overwhelming.
I wash my hands of you
I am done with you and I will no longer have anything to do with you.
I wash my dirty feet too
I am cleaning myself of everything related to you, even any dirt that clings to me.
And when I wash my hair
Even when I wash my hair, I am still trying to forget you.
The dust clouds disappear
All evidence of you is gone and I am left with a clean slate.
You're leaning out the window
You are standing by the window, looking out.
Beating down a path real slow
You are slowly making progress towards a goal, but it's not easy.
With your heavy plastic bags and
You are carrying a lot of baggage, both figuratively and literally.
Heavy head
Your mental and emotional state is weighing heavily on you.
I wish we had a laugh
I wish we could still find humor in our situation.
But you're just not funny
You are not funny and you cannot make me laugh anymore.
Baby I'm leaving out the irony
I am intentionally avoiding any irony or humor in this situation, because it's just not funny anymore.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GREG MCKENNA, STACY JONES, SCOTT RIEBLING, KAY HANLEY, MICHAEL EISENSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
yurdp
This song has been on my mind for over 20 years with only a faint remanence of the melody. Just now have I heard it as an adult and still absolutely love it and will keep it on my music rotation.
Cateyedwanderer
Such a great band! The mid 90’s had some of the catchiest coolest music with bands that had members who could sing, harmonize without the need for electronic intervention like auto tune bc it didn’t exist.. -those were the days..
pretzelbucket
An 80s band in the 90s. In this case anyway.
charliedontsurf70
this album got me thru some hard times.
Drake Dufrene
me too
jbauer140
Omg i forgot about this song and hearing it again i swear to god brought so many twisted butterflies in my stomach because of the great memories i had in the 90’s as an early 20’s adult and in a time that was about discovery and connections before cell phones and dating sites! And zombified people! Such an amazing time to be in! God i want to go back!
Ary Brunengo
busque este video por casi 20 años por fin lo encontre !💖💖💖
jlivingston
This tune is classic. Total put down number with one of the best lines ever:
I wish we had a laugh
But you’re just not funny
Baby, I’m leaving out the irony
🔥 burned!
Debbie Gardiner
Love this song!!! I wish they would record a new album. Their new EP makes me want more Letters to Cleo music again.
Hathery
They did release a new EP about a year and a half ago.