After signing with Secretly Canadian, they released the 1998 debut EP Hiddenforbidden, which featured an abrasive yet catchy sound and songs that barely passed the two-minute mark. Their sprawling debut album, Today It's You, arrived early the following year and broadened the band's sound (even though the length of their songs stayed as short as ever). In 2001, the band returned with Record in Red, a darker, trippier set of songs; the following year's Mishawaka EP featured cleaner production, more abstract soundwriting, and more detailed arrangements. Marmoset went on hiatus for a few years, during which time Whittaker released a self-titled solo album in 2003.
The band resurfaced, minus Ellrich, on the 2006 Indiana indie rock compilation Delicious Berries and contributed a cover of Jens Lekman's "Sky Phenomenon" to Secretly Canadian's SC100 collection in 2007. Florist Fired, which recalled Today It's You's freewheeling art pop, arrived later that year. Whittaker and company moved to Joyful Noise Recordings for Tea Tornado, released in August 2009.
December 4th
Marmoset Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's their way of turning me into to what they want
I'm not going to let them into my heart
They can make me lie and try to visualize for a lifetime
Then the sun will set never been before (it) is beautiful
Monsters speak with my voice telling me what to do
I'm not going to let them into my heart
They can take my life to the twilight zone on December 4th
Having seen you alone on December 4th , looking beautiful
Like no other, looking out for you
Some way or another looking out for me on December 4th
The lyrics to Marmoset's song December 4th is a reflection of the internal struggles and battles of the singer. The opening line, "Monsters speak with my voice telling me what to do," represents the intrusive thoughts and negative self-talk that plague the mind of the singer. The monsters mentioned are simply a metaphor for how the negative self-talk influences and dictates the singer's actions and thoughts. The following line, "That's their way of turning me into to what they want," emphasizes how the singer feels powerless and at the mercy of these self-destructive thoughts.
The chorus of the song, "I'm not going to let them into my heart," shows the singer's determination to overcome the voices in their head. They refuse to let those negative thoughts take over their emotions or dictate their behavior anymore. The line, "They can make me lie and try to visualize for a lifetime, then the sun will set never been before (it) is beautiful," demonstrates how the monsters force false perceptions or perspectives on the singer, leading them down an unpleasant journey of self-destruction. However, the singer recognizes that once they break free of those thoughts, they will see life in a more beautiful light.
The final verse is more hopeful; it speaks of the singer seeing someone special on December 4th. This person provides hope and strength to the singer, and they end the song with the lines, "Some way or another looking out for me on December 4th." This represents a turning point for the singer, where they find someone who will support them and help them overcome their demons.
Line by Line Meaning
Monsters speak with my voice telling me what to do
My inner demons are leading me on a path that I do not want to take
That's their way of turning me into to what they want
My demons are manipulating me to make me their puppet
I'm not going to let them into my heart
I refuse to let my demons control my emotions
They can make me lie and try to visualize for a lifetime
My demons have the power to make me deceive others and dwell in imaginary scenarios for long periods of time
Then the sun will set never been before (it) is beautiful
Once free from my demons' influence, I will experience beauty that I have never seen before
They can take my life to the twilight zone on December 4th
My demons can take me to a dark, unknown place on a specific day (December 4th)
Having seen you alone on December 4th , looking beautiful
Despite the unknown danger of that day, I have seen you alone and you looked beautiful
Like no other, looking out for you
You are unique and special to me, and I am always watching out for you
Some way or another looking out for me on December 4th
In some mysterious way, you are also watching out for me on that ominous day
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Justin Jackson
beast mode