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.
Ha Ha
Mates of State Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All that's known is what's debatable again
Oh, I can't see where you are
Where is the problem?
Squared-off, all bother
We're not to blame
Squared-off, all bother
Where is the problem?
We're not to blame
I can't tell what kind of life I've led today
All that's known is what's debatable again
And I imagine I will see you there
You will have long flowers in your hair
I imagine I will see you there
This is the blood that we're made of
So tell it like a chronicle
Who's dancing all around?
Let's give it to me, give it to me now
We're dancing all around
Let's give it to me, give it to me now
And I imagine I will see you there
You will have long flowers in your hair
The telegram said: are you gonna call our way home?
I imagine I will see you there
Can't you hear the laughter in the air?
The telegram said: are you gonna call our way home?
And I imagine I will see you there
I know it's stout but it's shallow
I'm not aware
The telegram said: who rejuvenated your eyes, boy?
This is the blood that we're made of
Go tell it like a chronicle
Who's dancing all around?
Let's give it to me, give it to me now
We're dancing all around
Let's give it to me, give it to me now
This is the blood that we're made of
Go tell it like a chronicle
We're dancing all around
Let's give it to me, give it to me now
The lyrics to Mates of State's song Ha Ha depict a sense of confusion and uncertainty in the singer's life. The opening lines state "I can't tell what kind of life I've led today/ All that's known is what's debatable again," expressing a sense of disorientation and a lack of clarity. The repeated phrase "squared-off, all bother" seems to represent the singer's attempt to understand and make sense of their surroundings, but ultimately feeling frustrated and unable to do so.
The chorus, with its repeated line "I imagine I will see you there/ You will have long flowers in your hair," suggests a longing for connection and a desire for things to become clearer. The line "This is the blood that we're made of/ So tell it like a chronicle" seems to imply a need to understand one's own history and origins in order to make sense of the present.
Overall, the lyrics of Ha Ha convey a sense of searching for meaning and grasp onto hope for clarity and connection amidst a confusing and uncertain world.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't tell what kind of life I've led today
I'm not sure what kind of day I've had
All that's known is what's debatable again
Everything that happened is up for debate
Oh, I can't see where you are
I don't know where you are
Where is the problem?
What's the issue?
Squared-off, all bother
Tense and stressful
We're not to blame
It's not our fault
And I can't see the darker wood
I can't see the negative aspects
And I imagine I will see you there
I think I'll see you
You will have long flowers in your hair
You'll be wearing flowers in your hair
This is the blood that we're made of
This is what we're made of
So tell it like a chronicle
Tell it like a story
Who's dancing all around?
Who's dancing?
Let's give it to me, give it to me now
Let's have it now
The telegram said: are you gonna call our way home?
The message asked if you're going to call us a ride
Can't you hear the laughter in the air?
Can't you hear people laughing?
And I know it's stout but it's shallow
I know it seems strong, but it's not deep
I'm not aware
I don't know
The telegram said: who rejuvenated your eyes, boy?
The message asked who made you feel young again
We're dancing all around
We're moving around and having fun
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HARPER JAMES SIMON, PAUL SIMON, PETRA HADEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Nonexistanthuman
I haven't listened to this since 2006, and im really happy its still up here.
Thank you PolyVinylRecords i will assure you i will find a copy of this on wax one day.
@grizzlywhisker
I saw these guys live in Detroit back when this came out and they kicked ass.
@devinmiller6699
I searched for this song forever tonight I was trying to find the bands name and I’m so happy I found this.... haven’t heard it since 2007
@ameliarose3142
I just discovered this group on Spotify. I thought it was a new artist, til I realized this was released 15 years ago. 🤯
Still a great song though. 😊
@donalbaineshultz
These guys make me happy. I wish I could hang out with them.
@krystalfloods6197
This take me back to driving nowhere and listening to their burned CD in our crappy car
@ToolShopGuy
Katy?
@krystalfloods6197
Tool Shop Guy not katy
@TopShelfTheology
That's exactly how I discovered them. And old friend of mine burned me a CD to listen to for a 16 hr road trip. Them and Franz Ferdinand. Those were the days, man.
@pbuotte
Hahhaa, love how they 'sing' over each other - and the crazy passage changes - great!