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.
Green Eggs
Letters to Cleo Lyrics
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If I lie to appease
Will you show me a way without taking me along...
Becoats like a gloss
Those who beg to reason
I'll be that scared back first but just don't lose me
(x2)
(x2)
Now who likes moving backwards
And who cares for those who do
As long as when taking up one
They don't trap you
(repeat till end)
And I'm not like that, oh no not me...
The song "Green Eggs" by Letters to Cleo is a moderately paced, mellow song that appears to be about the struggles of staying true to oneself in a world that often pressures people to conform. The lyrics describe the feeling of wanting to appease others by lying, but also the fear of losing oneself in the process. The metaphor of "becoats like a gloss" suggests that some people may put on a shiny exterior to appear more reasonable or appealing, but this can often hide their true selves. The singer acknowledges that she may be scared to reveal herself authentically, but she pleads with the listener to "just don't lose me."
The chorus repeatedly emphasizes, "And I'm not like that, oh no not me." This could be interpreted as a declaration of individuality and a refusal to give in to pressures to conform. The next verse questions the motives of those who seem to be moving backwards in life, but suggests that as long as they don't hold others back, they are not a threat. Ultimately, the singer remains steadfast in her assertion that she will not compromise her true self for anyone else.
Overall, "Green Eggs" is a reflective and introspective song about the challenges of staying true to oneself in a world that often values conformity over individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
If I lie just a little
If I slightly bend the truth
If I lie to appease
If I fabricate a story just to satisfy
Will you show me a way without taking me along...
Will you guide me without dragging me with you
Becoats like a gloss
Seems superficial like a lipstick
Those who beg to reason
People who demand explanations
I'll be that scared back first but just don't lose me
I might be hesitant but please don't abandon me
And I'm not like that, oh no not me
I'm not the kind of person to act that way
Now who likes moving backwards
Who enjoys going backward
And who cares for those who do
And who sympathizes with those who do
As long as when taking up one
As long as when joining them
They don't trap you
They don't ensnare you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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