Their songs are notable for their male/female vocal harmony, shifting rhythms, and quirky song structure- most tracks are composed of multiple distinct, almost disjointed movements. Both members sing with great intensity, often in the upper ranges of their voices, and often sing different (yet complementary) melodies simultaneously. Tempos are nearly always fast, with beats often resembling those found in electronic club or dance music.
The main instruments used by the band are drums and electric organ. Although both members started out playing the guitar, they found they ended up fooling around with the organ and drums in their practice space more often than with more traditional instruments.
The band recorded one album on Omnibus Records before moving to Polyvinyl Record Company for their second and third full-lengths. They have also released five 7-inch singles and two EPs. In December 2005, the band signed with Barsuk and since have released an album entitled Bring It Back. In May 2008, they released the album Re-Arrange Us.
Along For The Ride
Mates of State Lyrics
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'cause I'll be busy sorting through the merrier designs I make inside.
And on the hollowest pages, the pen dissolves without the bait.
Don't try to be a model. don't want to waste more space.
Oh, look at our models. oh, the blasted space.
Tune in me tonight. turn down all the lights.
I'm just along for the ride. the moving pictures we see.
The colored cities or the sea. go and taste them one by one.
Know your station you just can't direct.
Let's plant a white one just for you.
And chart the growth until the move.
Don't try to be a model.
Don't want to waste more space.
Oh, look at our models. oh, the blasted space. tune in me tonight.
Turn down all the lights. I'm just along for the ride.
The song "Along For The Ride" by Mates of State is a reflection on the singer's experiences in life. The first lines describe a messy room with boxes piled high, and the singer confesses that they will not be the one to tidy up. Instead, they will focus on their thoughts, crafting "merrier designs" that distract them from the mundane task at hand. The song then shifts to a meditation on life's fleeting experiences, as the singer urges the listener to explore and savor the many wonders of the world. The singer acknowledges that they are "just along for the ride," moving through life and observing the world, rather than taking control.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of urgency to embrace life's moments before they slip away. The lyrics paint images of colorful cities, the majesty of the sea, and the growth of a white flower. The singer encourages the listener to "go and taste them one by one" before it's too late. There is also a recurring theme of rejecting societal pressure to conform and be a "model," instead embracing the chaos of life and finding joy in the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
The boxes piled high. no order, no mind. I'll save the work for you, 'cause I'll be busy sorting through the merrier designs I make inside.
Boxes are stacked haphazardly without any organization, and I will leave it to you to sort. I am too caught up with my own fanciful creations inside my head.
And on the hollowest pages, the pen dissolves without the bait.
On the empty pages, the ink dissolves without anything to anchor it.
Don't try to be a model. don't want to waste more space. Oh, look at our models. oh, the blasted space.
Don't bother imitating anyone else, as I am tired of seeing the same thing everywhere. It is a waste of space.
Tune in me tonight. turn down all the lights. I'm just along for the ride.
Listen to me tonight, as I am just an observer.
The moving pictures we see. The colored cities or the sea. go and taste them one by one. Until that time, you can't be done.
Experience the world, explore the different sights and sounds, and keep going until you have experienced everything that life has to offer.
Know your station you just can't direct. Let's plant a white one just for you. And chart the growth until the move.
Recognize your place in life and understand that you cannot control everything. Let's plant something special just for you, and see how it grows until it is time to move on.
Don't try to be a model. Don't want to waste more space. Oh, look at our models. Oh, the blasted space. Tune in me tonight. Turn down all the lights. I'm just along for the ride.
Again, do not imitate anyone else, as it is a waste of space. Listen to me tonight as I am just observing and along for the ride.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Edward Hammel, Kori Gardner Hammel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind