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.
The City
Marmoset Lyrics
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I'm tied to situations
I wait there holding on to you
I'm in the city, I taste it in the back of your car
In style, but the one on your face is crime (cryin')
You're all in the city, holding on to me
The one on your face is crime
The lyrics of "The City" by Marmoset describe the feeling of being caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life. The singer is in the city, a place where everything is moving quickly and situations are constantly changing. By putting their fingers to their lips, they may be expressing a desire to keep quiet and observe what is going on around them. They feel tied to the situations they find themselves in, unable to escape the frenetic pace of the city. Despite feeling overwhelmed, they hold on to someone they care about. The lyrics suggest a feeling of insecurity and desperation, as if the singer is trying to find solace in the chaos around them.
Later in the song, the singer mentions being in the back of a car and tasting something in the city. This could be interpreted as a reference to nightlife and the party scene. The person driving the car may have a look of sadness or tension on their face, hence the line "the one on your face is crime". This creates an interesting juxtaposition between the excitement of the city and the underlying unease that can come with it.
Overall, "The City" portrays the feelings of being lost in a fast-paced and unpredictable environment. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they may speak to anyone who has felt overwhelmed by the pace of city life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the city, fingers to lips
I'm in a bustling urban center, but I must be quiet and discreet.
I'm tied to situations
I'm caught up in complex circumstances that are difficult to extricate myself from.
I wait there holding on to you
Despite the challenges I'm facing, I'm patiently and tenaciously clinging to a person or idea that gives me strength and purpose.
I'm in the city, I taste it in the back of your car
I experience the essence of the urban environment, even in the privacy of a vehicle that shields me from the chaos outside.
In style, but the one on your face is crime (cryin')
I may appear fashionable and put-together, but I'm actually struggling internally and feeling overwhelmed by emotions that I can't express openly.
You're all in the city, holding on to me
Others around me are similarly entrenched and dependent on me for support or guidance in navigating the urban landscape.
And you're all in the city, holding onto me
Despite the interconnectedness and interdependence of city living, I still feel isolated and unsure of my place in this environment.
The one on your face is crime
My hidden anguish and insecurity may make me feel like I'm doing something wrong or illicit, even as I try to keep up a facade of confidence and independence in the city.
Contributed by Jake V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.