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.
Because Of You
Letters to Cleo Lyrics
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I can say it again but where to begin
I know that I'm caving in because i'm heavy
I'm heavy
So the wonder of you is done
I'm tired and bloody and good to be gone
I know that you did me wrong cause I'm ready
As for the part about having something more
Let's not pretend like it was before
I wish i could say it's not because of you
But it's because of you
I've a dark and snowy resemblance of this
But remind me again of what I'm gonna miss
When all you do is let me down
You better tell me something
And tell it to me now
As for the part about having something more
Let's not pretend it's like before
I wish I could say it's not because of you
But it's because of you
And are you sorry
As for the part about having something more
Let's not pretend like it was before
I wish i could say it's not because of you
But it's all because of you
And it's all because of you
And the light went black
And I got scared
The lyrics to Letters to Cleo's song Because of You appear to be a breakup song, as the singer is acknowledging that the relationship is over and that they are moving on. The first two lines suggest that the singer has tried to confront their partner before but has trouble putting their emotions into words. The following lines reveal that the singer is aware that the relationship is not healthy, as demonstrated by the line "I'm heavy." This heaviness could represent the emotional weight that the singer is carrying as a result of their partner's actions.
The chorus of the song, which is repeated twice, suggests that the singer holds their partner responsible for the end of the relationship. They wish they could blame something else for the breakup, but ultimately realize that their partner's behavior was the main cause. The final verse asks the partner to explain why they have let the singer down so many times, and to do so quickly. The line "And the light went black and I got scared" could represent the moment of realization for the singer that the relationship was truly over.
Overall, the lyrics of Because of You are introspective and self-aware, with the singer recognizing that it is time to move on and acknowledging the role that their partner played in the breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
I can stand here and do this again
I am mentally preparing myself to face an unpleasant situation again.
I can say it again but where to begin
I could repeat what I've said before, but I don't know how to start.
I know that I'm caving in because i'm heavy
I can feel myself giving up because the weight of the situation is too much to bear.
So the wonder of you is done
The magic of who you are has faded away.
I'm tired and bloody and good to be gone
I'm exhausted and hurt and ready to move on from this situation.
I know that you did me wrong cause I'm ready
I am prepared to accept that you have wronged me.
As for the part about having something more
Regarding the idea that there could be something more to this situation.
Let's not pretend like it was before
Let's not try to act like things are the way they used to be.
I wish i could say it's not because of you
I wish I could blame someone or something else, but the truth is it's your fault.
But it's because of you
The reason for my pain and frustration is directly tied to you.
I've a dark and snowy resemblance of this
I have a vague and unsettling memory of a similar situation.
But remind me again of what I'm gonna miss
Can you please list for me the things that I will be losing by leaving this situation?
When all you do is let me down
You constantly disappoint and hurt me.
You better tell me something
You need to give me an explanation or a reason for your actions.
And tell it to me now
I need to hear your explanation immediately.
And are you sorry
Are you regretful for your actions?
And the light went black
Everything suddenly fell apart and became dark and bleak.
And I got scared
I became frightened and overwhelmed by the situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: WILL DRUMMOND, DECLAN XAVIER MELIA, MATTHEW VINCENT O'GORMAN, NICHOLAS JAMES WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind