The band released their second studio album on February 24, 2009 entitled Masterpiece Theatre.
It takes some real cojones to include the word 'Masterpiece' in your album title, but Josh Ramsay isn't too worried. "I suppose I could be digging myself into a hole calling the record Masterpiece Theatre," he chuckles, "but it's tongue-in-cheek. And I'm not the kind of person that people would assume as being an egomaniac. I hope not, anyway."
Given his feverish imagination and comprehensive musical gifts, Ramsay could probably get away with a little egomania. And with the release of Masterpiece Theatre, the frontman of Vancouver's Marianas Trench makes a iron-clad case for a prodigious set of talents - both his own and those of his bandmates, guitarist Matt Webb, bassist Mike Ayley, and drummer Ian Casselman.
Marianas Trench had already elevated itself above the rest of the pack with a 2006 debut, Fix Me, that showcased a knack for colouring outside the lines of factory-issue millenial punk, shrewdly-built pop, and super-adrenalized modern rock. The single and in particular the video "Shake Tramp" was enough to demonstrate these qualities, coupled with Ramsay's uninhibited urge to be the complete song-and-dance man.
But with both the industry and the fans beating down the door for a quick second album, the Trench decided to put on the brakes. "All of a sudden you have six months to do your next record," Ramsay sighs. "So I really had to just put my foot down and say, 'No, I need the time to do this.' I was not interested in putting something out for the sake of putting something out."
Two years later, Marianas Trench has re-emerged with Masterpiece Theatre. And not surprisingly, it's a work of soaring ambition and decisive technical prowess – that easily might not have happened. "It's one thing when you're Chad Kroeger and you just finished writing 'How You Remind Me'," Ramsay states. "I didn't have some mega-platinum song to back up my argument with, so I was lucky that the band and the label trusted me enough to do it."
By "it", Ramsay means he was allowed to indulge a high-concept fantasy for the band's sophomore album, which is built, for starters, around a song called "Masterpiece Theatre". Adopting Brian Wilson's notion of the 'pocket symphony' and then running with it, the three distinct versions of “Masterpiece Theatre” dotted across the record feature an almost perfect balance between the vocal theatrics of Queen and the more hymnal qualities of the Beach Boys.
By the time “Masterpiece Theatre” is reprised for a final, climactic time, every other song on the album is quoted and incorporated into an intricately constructed dramatic revue that swings from pristine pop, to propulsive riff rock, to quasi-doo wop, to robotic new wave, and finally into a wholly satisfying thematic payoff.
"You know in the climax of a musical, there's always that medley at the end, and I thought that would be cool on a rock record," explains Ramsay, "but it turned out to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. I wrote it in the studio as we recorded it, and it took about three weeks."
After a beat, he adds, "But really it took me two years because it draws from all the songs on the whole album."
Bassist Mike Ayley readily admits, "I don't think any of the three ‘Masterpiece Theatre’ songs could have gone on Fix Me had they been written at the time. ‘Masterpiece’ 2 and 3 in particular are amazing songs that really explore the potential of Josh's writing. You really have to hear them to get it. It's like trying to explain ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to somebody who has only heard Kanye West and Katy Perry."
Ramsay agrees. "I really wanted to have a 'Good Vibrations'/'Bohemian Rhapsody’ style song on the first record,” he says, “but I don't think I was a mature enough writer to have written it yet, and I still feel like I was in over-my-head when we did this one, and I just barely made it."
Ramsay is unnecessarily modest; the whole of Masterpiece Theatre demonstrates a startling compositional maturity compared to the Marianas Trench of two years ago.
"Beside You" is a panoramic exercise in big emotions, with a dash of the Dream Academy's "Life In a Northern Town”. "Acadia" begins with a clipped, bright acoustic guitar, and blossoms into something like the Who reconsidered by U2, reimagined for the net generation. In the crunchy "All to Myself", the power ballad "Lover Dearest", and the strident "Good to You" (in which he duets with Kate Voegele), Ramsay pulls out the kind of honeyed vocals more attuned to modern RnB than white, adolescent rock.
"I always had that aspect in my voice but the first record just didn't have songs that were conducive to me singing that way," he states. "I think it's from growing up listening to a lot of Michael Jackson. With these songs, it made sense to stretch out a little more."
On "Cross My Heart" and "Celebrity Status", the band conjures up a kind of perfect pop crossover. Producer Dave 'Rave' Ogilvie was responsible for the latter track, which cops a move he used on Marilyn Manson's "Beautiful People" with three drummers (Casselman, Ramsay and Shane Wilson) playing at once - much to Ramsay's delight. "He's just worked with so many great artists which makes his well of tricks and ideas so vast," he says.
True to Ramsay's quest for "more diversity on this album" - not to mention the indulgence of his record label - Rave was just one of four prominent guest producers eventually roped into Masterpiece Theatre. Their collective resume includes Nine Inch Nails, Sum 41, Iggy Pop, Avril Lavigne, and Hedley among others.
"I feel really fortunate to have worked with all those guys," Ramsay says, "coz they all bring really unique things. Dave Genn and I have a really good working relationship with each other, and he has such a unique style with arrangement and stuff. Greig Nori was a really pleasant surprise. As far as I can tell, he wanted to work with us because he liked our video. The whole time he was just trying to get me to dance around like an idiot. And Raine Maida, man? Raine's a trip!"
Bassist Ayley also credits Maida for encouraging the band to “find a personality-identity that wasn't as evident when we started the production process," while also praising Ramsay for his production efforts. Ramsay took charge of four songs on the finished record. “Josh is really about capturing the emotion and power which isn't surprising considering all the feeling in the writing,” he says.
Oddly enough, Ramsay also wanted Disney's in-house genius Alan (Little Mermaid) Mencken to twiddle the knobs for the climactic version of "Masterpiece Theatre", but admits, "it's a pretty tall order to get an Academy Award winner to come and work on your record."
Still, the album is certainly not diminished by the few things Ramsay didn't get. And once the world gets a load of this Masterpiece, Mencken, Pharrell Williams, Phil Spector... you name it. They'll probably be lining up.
Don't Miss Me?
Marianas Trench Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess it's true how time can fly
I know I said that I would call
But I never think of you at all
You know, it's not like I miss your laughter
It's not like I miss your face
You know, it's not like I can't get past it
I tell myself that I, self that I, I can do
Do with the space between, the space between me to you
I'm just a drink away from honesty, so who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't miss me too
(Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
Uh (Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
I'm just a drink away from honesty, so who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't miss me too
You know I don't remember why we stayed
A foot out the door, a foot in the grave
I guess some people try to raise the dead
Some people try to live instead
I know it's not like you miss my laughter
It's not like you miss my face
I know it's not like you can't get past it
It's not like you miss my taste
I tell myself that I, self that I, can do
Do with the space between, the space between me to you
And I'm just a drink away from honesty
So who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't miss me too
(Don't miss me, don't miss me)
Uh (D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
Oh (Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
I'm just a drink away from honesty
So who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't, you don't miss me too
Too much time, or much too little
I'm back and forth and in the middle
Too much time or much too little now
Ooh, ooh
Hey
Oh, don't miss me, don't miss me
D-don't miss me, don't miss me
Yeah, don't miss me, don't miss me
Oh yeah, yeah
(Don't miss me, don't miss me)
Yeah, yeah (D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
Yeah (Don't miss me, don't miss me)
Yeah, yeah (D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
I'm just a drink away from honesty
So who knows what's true? (Who knows)
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't, you don't, you don't
You don't miss me too
The lyrics of Don't Miss Me by Marianas Trench depict a sense of detachment and indifference towards someone who was once a significant part of the singer's life. The opening lines suggest that it has been a long time since the singer has thought about this person, highlighting the passage of time and how it can make us forget about certain individuals. The singer admits to promising to call but confesses that they never really think about the person at all.
The subsequent lines express the singer's lack of longing for the other person's presence. They claim not to miss their laughter, face, or taste, creating an image of emotional detachment. The chorus reveals some self-doubt, as the singer questions whether the other person also feels the same lack of longing. They contemplate whether the person misses them, using the thought as a means to gather some reassurance.
The second verse delves into the past and the uncertainty surrounding why the relationship continued. It hints at a half-hearted commitment, with one foot out the door and the other in the grave. The singer acknowledges that both parties may have been trying to revive something that was dying, or perhaps they were just trying to exist rather than truly live.
Overall, the lyrics of Don't Miss Me convey a sense of emotional detachment and ambivalence towards a past relationship. The singer questions their own feelings and wonders if the other person shares the same lack of longing. It speaks to the complexities of human emotions and the uncertainty that can surround past relationships.
Interesting facts about Don't Miss Me by Marianas Trench:
1. Don't Miss Me is a track from Canadian pop-rock band Marianas Trench's fourth studio album, "Phantoms," released in 2019.
2. It was written by lead vocalist Josh Ramsay and produced by the band's longtime collaborator, Mike Fraser.
3. The song showcases Marianas Trench's signature blend of catchy pop hooks and emotionally introspective lyrics.
4. Don't Miss Me received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its honest and relatable lyrics.
5. The song's introspective theme resonates with many listeners who can relate to the feelings of emotional detachment after a breakup or loss.
6. Marianas Trench is known for their intricate vocal harmonies, which are showcased in this song's layered chorus.
7. The band has a devoted fan base, known as "Trenchers," who eagerly await new music and support the band's live shows.
8. Don't Miss Me was promoted with a music video that features the band performing the song in a dark, moody setting, reflecting the emotional tone of the lyrics.
9. Marianas Trench hails from Vancouver and has achieved significant success in Canada, with multiple chart-topping albums and numerous award nominations.
10. The band is recognized for their dynamic live performances and has toured extensively both in Canada and internationally.
Chords:
Line by Line Meaning
Been forever since you've crossed my mind
It has been a long time since I last thought of you
I guess it's true how time can fly
It's true that time passes quickly
I know I said that I would call
I promised to call you
But I never think of you at all
But I never think about you
You know, it's not like I miss your laughter
I don't actually miss your laughter
It's not like I miss your face
I don't actually miss your face
You know, it's not like I can't get past it
I can easily move on from it
It's not like I miss your taste
I don't actually miss your taste
I tell myself that I, self that I, I can do
I convince myself that I am capable of dealing with the situation
Do with the space between, the space between me to you
Handle the emotional distance between us
I'm just a drink away from honesty, so who knows what's true?
I tend to be more honest when I'm intoxicated, so it's hard to determine what's genuine
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
But I can't help but wonder if perhaps you
You don't miss me too
You also don't miss me
You know I don't remember why we stayed
I can't recall why we remained together
A foot out the door, a foot in the grave
We were halfway out of the relationship, close to its end
I guess some people try to raise the dead
Some individuals attempt to revive something that is no longer alive or functional
Some people try to live instead
While others focus on moving forward and living their lives
I know it's not like you miss my laughter
I know you don't actually miss my laughter
It's not like you miss my face
You don't actually miss my face
I know it's not like you can't get past it
I know you can easily move on from it
It's not like you miss my taste
You don't actually miss my taste
Too much time, or much too little
Either too much time has passed or not enough time has passed
I'm back and forth and in the middle
I keep vacillating and can't make up my mind
Ooh, ooh
Expressing a vocalization of a feeling or excitement
Hey
A casual greeting or attention-getting sound
Oh, don't miss me, don't miss me
Please don't feel the absence of my presence
D-don't miss me, don't miss me
I'm emphasizing that I don't want you to miss me
Yeah, don't miss me, don't miss me
Yes, I'm reiterating that I don't want you to miss me
Oh yeah, yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation
Yeah, yeah
An affirmative response
I'm just a drink away from honesty
When under the influence, I become more truthful
So who knows what's true? (Who knows)
Therefore, it's difficult to determine what is actually true
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
However, I can't help but wonder if perhaps you
You don't, you don't miss me too
You also don't miss me
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Josh Ramsay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Spam acc
Lyrics:
Been forever since you've crossed my mind
I guess it's true how time can fly
I know I said that I would call
But I never think of you at all
You know, it's not like I miss your laughter
It's not like I miss your face
You know, it's not like I can't get past it
It's not like I miss your taste
I tell myself that I, self that I, I can do
Do with the space between, the space between me to you
I'm just a drink away from honesty, so who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't miss me too
(Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
Uh (Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
I'm just a drink away from honesty, so who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't miss me too
You know I don't remember why we stayed
A foot out the door, a foot in the grave
I guess some people try to raise the dead
Some people try to live instead
I know it's not like you miss my laughter
It's not like you miss my face
I know it's not like you can't get past it
It's not like you miss my taste
I tell myself that I, self that I, can do
Do with the space between, the space between me to you
And I'm just a drink away from honesty
So who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't miss me too
(Don't miss me, don't miss me)
Uh (D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
Oh (Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
I'm just a drink away from honesty
So who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't, you don't miss me too
Too much time, or much too little
I'm back and forth and in the middle
Too much time or much too little now
Ooh, ooh
Hey
Oh, don't miss me, don't miss me
D-don't miss me, don't miss me
Yeah, don't miss me, don't miss me
Oh yeah, yeah
(Don't miss me, don't miss me)
Yeah, yeah (D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
Yeah (Don't miss me, don't miss me)
Yeah, yeah (D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
I'm just a drink away from honesty
So who knows what's true? (Who knows)
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't, you don't, you don't
You don't miss me too
Strawberry Milk
Been forever since you’ve crossed my mind
I guess it's true how time can fly
I know I said that I would call
But I never think of you at all
You know, it’s not like I miss your laughter
It’s not like I miss your face
You know, it’s not like I can’t get past it
It’s not like I miss your taste
I tell myself that I, myself that I, I can do...
Do with the space between, the space between me to you
I'm just a drink away from honesty, so who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't miss me too
(Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
Uh (Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
I'm just a drink away from honesty, so who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't miss me too
You know I don't remember why we stayed
A foot out the door, a foot in the grave
I guess some people try to raise the dead
Some people try to live instead
I know it's not like you miss my laughter
It's not like you miss my face
I know it's not like you can't get past it
It's not like you miss my taste
I tell myself that I, myself that I, can do...
Do with the space between, the space between me to you
I'm just a drink away from honesty
So who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't miss me too
Uh (Don't miss me, don't miss me)
Oh-oh (D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
Ah (Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
I'm just a drink away from honesty
So who knows what's true?
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't, you don't miss me too
Too much time, or much too little
Back and forth and in the middle
Too much time or much too little
Now
Oh, don't miss me, don't miss me
D-don't miss me, don't miss me
Yeah, don't miss me, don't miss me
Oh yeah, yeah
(Don't miss me, don't miss me)
Yeah, yeah (D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
(Don't miss me, don't miss me)
(D-don't miss me, don't miss me)
[Outro Chorus]
I'm just a drink away from honesty
So who knows what's true? (who knows)
But I'm wondering, wondering if maybe you
You don't, you don't, you don't
You don't miss me too
Marianas Trench
Yes! Silly video for a very serious ballad, perfect combo!
leah
Love you guys! I can't wait to see it! You guys always make me smile! <3
Natasja
Omg omg omg omg i can’t wait to see it love you guys!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤🖤🖤
Malignity
:))❤️❤️
Binkle Bonkle
So excited!!!!
💖💖❤️❤️🇨🇦🎵
Cb88
You guys are the best!
LyricalMaddness
Only Mtrench can turn a song about missing an old lover into a song about missing all those animals you saw but couldn't adopt.
A Masterpiece
horizcyn
and they performed it... so its a masterpiece THEATER, if you will B)
madison johnson
horizcyn I WAS GONNA COMMENT THAT
Chanelle Kirch
🥺😭🤣🧡🧡🧡👏🙌