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.
Here
Letters to Cleo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
just thought I'd think about. All the things to get and keep getting, never
enough not enough and never ending. I just thought I'd think about. And it
might be...
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky above could
never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the here and now.
Parody of yourself in color, giving it to everybody but your mother. You've got much to
You've got much to think about. And it might be...
[The fast part again.]
In the verses of the song Here & Now by Letters to Cleo, the lyrics reflect the thoughts of a person on a relaxed Sunday morning, having tea and toast and taking some time for themselves to reflect on their life. It seems like the person is pondering about how life is always about wanting more and striving for more, be it things or success. The lyrics reflect on the idea that there is never enough of anything and that life is never-ending in the quest for more. However, the person acknowledges that there is comfort in knowing that there is something better out there, something that's beyond the limits of our world or universe. And yet, as the lyrics go, it's a challenge to be completely present and fully focused on the "now."
The chorus of the song seems to be calling out someone who is a self-parody, someone who projects their colorful and lively self to everyone else but their own mother. The verse emphasizes that the person has much to think about, and perhaps it's about how they move forward in life. The lyrics suggest that the person is rising higher, without any regard for others, and is never justifying or reasoning their actions.
To summarize, Here & Now seems to be a contemplation of the duality of life, where one can either look towards the future, looking for something they do not have, or live in the present, understanding that they may never be content with what they have. The song carries a sense of deep introspection about the ways people act and how their choices affect their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Just living on a Sunday morning, got my toast and tea and I'm warm and I just thought I'd think about
Taking some time to relax and reflect on life's happenings
All the things to get and keep getting, never enough not enough and never ending
Feeling like there's always something more to achieve but never feeling truly satisfied
And it might be...
There's a possibility for change or a different perspective to emerge
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky above could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the here and now
There's a sense of comfort in dreaming of something greater but acquiring something in the present moment is a more challenging and fulfilling endeavor
Parody of yourself in color, giving it to everybody but your mother
Presenting an exaggerated or false version of oneself to others while neglecting to be true to oneself and loved ones
You've got much to think about. Soaring higher with every treason. Never justify, never reason
There's a lot to consider and ponder, with the possibility of making controversial or unpopular decisions without needing to explain or justify them to anyone else
And it might be...
Continued anticipation of different paths or outcomes
[The fast part again.]
Repetition of the previous lines, emphasizing the internal struggles and conflicts that come with decision-making and personal growth
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GREG MCKENNA, KAY HANLEY, BRIAN KARP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Silver
[Intro]
Just livin' on a Sunday morning
Got my toast and tea, and I'm warm and
I just thought I'd think about
Other things to get and keep getting
Never enough, not enough, and never endin'
I just thought I'd think about
[Verse]
Just livin' on a Sunday morning
Got my toast and tea, and I'm warm and
I just thought I'd think about
Other things to get and keep getting
Never enough, not enough, and never endin'
I just thought I'd think about
[Pre-Chorus]
And it might be
[Chorus]
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky, but could never parallel a challenge of an acquisition in the
[Post-Chorus]
Here and now, Here and now
[Verse]
Parody of yourself in color
Givin' it to everybody but your mother and
You got much to think about
Soarin' higher with every treason
Never justify, never reason
You got much to think about
[Pre-Chorus]
And it might be
[Chorus]
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky, but could never parallel a challenge of an acquisition in the
[Post-Chorus]
Here and now, Here and now
[Chorus]
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky, but could never parallel a challenge of an acquisition in the
[Post-Chorus]
Here and now, Here and now
[Pre-Chorus]
And it might be
[Verse]
Parody of yourself in color
Givin' it to everybody but your mother and
You got much to think about
Soarin' higher with every treason
Never justify, never reason
You got much to think about
[Pre-Chorus]
And it might be
[Chorus]
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky, but could never parallel a challenge of an acquisition in the
[Post-Chorus]
Here and now, Here and now
[Chorus]
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky, but could never parallel a challenge of an acquisition in the
[Post-Chorus]
Here and now, Here and now
[Pre-Chorus]
And it might be
[Chorus]
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky, but could never parallel a challenge of an acquisition in the
[Post-Chorus]
Here and now, Here and now
[Outro]
And it might, might
Vylet Tiz
Just living on a Sunday morning
Got my toast and tea and I'm warm and
I just thought I'd think about
All the things to get and keep getting
Never enough, not enough and never ending
I just thought I'd think about
Just living on a Sunday morning
Got my toast and tea and I'm warm and
I just thought I'd think about
All the things to get and keep getting
Never enough, not enough and never ending
I just thought I'd think about
And it might be
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
But could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
Here and now, here and now
Parody of yourself in color
Giving it to everybody but your mother
And you've got much to think about
Soaring higher with every treason
Never justify, never reason
You've got much to think about
And it might be
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
But could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
Here and now, here and now
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
But could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
Here and now, here and now
And it might be
Parody of yourself in color
Giving it to everybody but your mother
And you've got much to think about
Soaring higher with every treason
Never justify, never reason
You've got much to think about
And it might be
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
But could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
Here and now, here and now
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
But could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
Here and now, here and now
And it might be
The comfort of a knowledge of a rise above the sky
But could never parallel the challenge of an acquisition in the
Here and now, here and now
And it might, might
Greg M
As a 40 year old man who well remembers when this song first came out, I cannot begin to describe all of this memories this song triggers. Hard to believe so much time has passed. Always liked this band.
RGC77
Greg M same here man. I miss those days so much
Sam w
Greg M hi greg from watauga tx
百合フランチェスコ
Yeah..I'm 41...
EyeCandyAthlete
I'm blurpteen. I win.
Sarah Riedel
I was 12 when this and all the other 1995 radio singles came out and it always astonishes me that even after years of not hearing them I LITERALLY REMEMBER ALL THE WORDS THE FIRST TIME AROUND.
Mi Mc
I love that feeling when you stumble across a song that you'd totally forgotten about but when you hear it you're instantly back in time.
600joe
Music takes you right back. The problem is that, that moment is gone. It can fuck with your head.
Smoke weed at an older age is no good too........
GK PRIVATE
agreed. And this is one of those
Mi Mc
@GK PRIVATE Skating Polly fan?