Their debut album, The Dust of Retreat came out in 2006. At this time, the band was signed to Artemis Records and had 8 members. In 2008 the band signed to Epic Records and (on 7 October) released two new albums, Animal! and Not Animal. The band originally planned to just release "Animal!". However, Epic disagreed on their song choice, and compiled a different list, which would later become "Not Animal". Eventually, after dispute over which version would be released, it was decided to release both at the same time.
In August 2009, 5 of the band's members left. They are all involved in other projects, most notably Pravada.
While the band, and Richard specifically have given many explanations to the band's name; this is all in fun. As the name was created as an anti-name; not meant to have any real meaning, just to make fun of other ridiculous names. The name "Margot" comes from Gweneth Paltrow's character in Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums".
The band's sound, categorized as "chamber pop", has been compared to the indie rock groups Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, and The Shins, while incorporating elements of singer/songwriters like Paul Simon and Conor Oberst.
Current Members are:
Richard Edwards - lead vocals, guitar, bells, melodica, banjo
Ronnie Kwasman - lead guitar
Tyler Watkins - bass guitar
Brian Deck - drums
Eric Kang - guitar
Cameron McGill
Former Members include:
Emily Watkins - keys, backup vocals
Andy Fry - guitar, bass, lap steel, percussion
Jesse Lee - cello
Casey Tennis - percussion
Chris Fry - drums, percussion
On A Freezing Chicago Street
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My lack of loyalty, it swallowed her up.
And she cooks me food.
She squirmed and turned like a skeleton key.
She left her man unattended to me.
Don't call me that.
Don't claim you love me
And you're finally free
to twist and turn like a skeleton key.
You've gotta let me know.
You've gotta let me know.
I did a horrible thing to that girl.
I bread my misery and drowned it in her.
And she got me high,
And I hardly noticed there were tears in her eyes.
And I miss you less and less everyday.
This stream of whisky helps to wash you away.
And it's clear to see,
You're nothing special.
You're a skeleton key.
You've gotta let me know.
You've gotta let me know.
You've gotta let me know.
You've gotta let me know.
Whooo!
The lyrics to Margot & the Nuclear So and So's song "On A Freezing Chicago Street" appear to describe a relationship in which the singer has betrayed their love and caused them harm. The lines "I did a sick, sick thing to my love. My lack of loyalty, it swallowed her up" suggest a sense of regret and guilt. However, the next line "And she cooks me food" seems to show that the singer is still benefiting from the relationship, despite their wrongdoing. The image of the love interest "squirm[ing] and turn[ing] like a skeleton key" hints at their vulnerability and suggests that the singer may be manipulating or controlling them.
The chorus of the song centers around the repeated phrase "You've gotta let me know" which could be interpreted as the singer pleading for honesty and communication in the relationship. This is followed by the lines "I did a horrible thing to that girl. I bred my misery and drowned it in her." Here the language of ownership and consumption is particularly striking - the singer sees their relationship with their love interest in terms of what they are getting out of it and how they are using the other person to alleviate their own pain. The mention of tears in the love interest's eyes and the line "And I miss you less and less everyday" further emphasize the sense that this relationship is not a healthy or happy one.
Overall, the lyrics to "On A Freezing Chicago Street" paint a picture of a dysfunctional and damaging relationship in which the singer's lack of loyalty and emotional distance have caused harm to their love interest. The repeated refrain of "You've gotta let me know" suggests that there may be hope for communication and growth, but the overall tone of the song is one of regret and a sense of being trapped in a toxic cycle.
Line by Line Meaning
I did a sick, sick thing to my love.
I betrayed my love and did something terrible.
My lack of loyalty, it swallowed her up.
My disloyalty consumed her and caused her pain.
And she cooks me food.
Despite my wrongdoing, she still takes care of me.
She squirmed and turned like a skeleton key.
She struggled with her feelings and emotions like a key turning in a lock.
She left her man unattended to me.
She was unfaithful to her partner and chose to be with me instead.
Don't call me that.
I don't want to be associated with that label or identity.
Don't claim you love me
Don't try to convince me that you love me when it's not true.
cause you know that ain't true.
You are aware that your love for me is not genuine.
And you're finally free to twist and turn like a skeleton key.
Now that you've left your partner, you can explore new experiences and emotions freely.
You've gotta let me know.
You need to communicate with me clearly and honestly.
I did a horrible thing to that girl.
I committed a terrible act against her.
I bread my misery and drowned it in her.
I used her to cope with my own pain and suffering.
And she got me high,
She made me feel happy and alive.
And I hardly noticed there were tears in her eyes.
I was too wrapped up in my own emotions to see her pain.
And I miss you less and less everyday.
As time goes on, I think about you and long for you less and less.
This stream of whisky helps to wash you away.
I use alcohol to numb my feelings and memories of you.
And it's clear to see,
It's obvious and indisputable.
You're nothing special.
You're not unique or exceptional.
You're a skeleton key.
You are simply a means to unlock or explore new experiences and emotions.
Whooo!
Expression of emotion or excitement.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RICHARD CHARLES EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind