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.
I Got This Feelin'
Mates of State Lyrics
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Nobody can bend the up and down
As long as you understand
The long undertow
The others can hold their breath so long
So long as they understand
The long undertow
I've got this feelin' that I've been here before
Nobody can bend the up and down
As long as you understand
The long undertow
The others can hold their breath so long
So long as they understand
The long undertow
This couldn't be more ghetto
You and your daughters and their eyes
I've got this feelin' that I've been here before
The lyrics to Mates of State's song "I Got This Feelin'" are ambiguous and open to interpretation. At first glance, the repeated line, "I've got this feelin' that I've been here before," suggests a sense of déjà vu or perhaps a feeling of familiarity and comfort in a familiar setting. However, the rest of the lyrics seem to contradict this idea, with lines such as "Nobody can bend the up and down" and "As long as you understand the long undertow." These phrases suggest a struggle or difficult situation, with the undertow serving as a metaphor for something pulling the singer down and others struggling to hold their breath.
The final lines of the song, "This couldn't be more ghetto/You and your daughters and their eyes," add another layer to the song's meaning. "Ghetto" suggests poverty or a lack of resources, and the line could be read as a commentary on societal inequality or a recognition of the difficulties faced by marginalized communities.
Overall, the lyrics to "I Got This Feelin'" are open to interpretation and suggest a range of emotions and experiences, from a sense of familiarity to struggle and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got this feelin' that I've been here before
I have a strong sensation that I have experienced this moment or situation in the past.
Nobody can bend the up and down
No one can control the changes and fluctuations in life.
As long as you understand the long undertow
If you can comprehend the persistent and powerful forces beneath the surface that influence events, you can navigate through life more adeptly.
The others can hold their breath so long
Some people can persevere and endure challenges for a considerable time.
So long as they understand the long undertow
As long as those individuals recognize and acknowledge the hidden forces at play.
This couldn't be more ghetto
This situation is incredibly raw and unfiltered, highlighting the struggles and hardships of a certain community.
You and your daughters and their eyes
You and your family, particularly your daughters, who reflect the world around them through their innocent eyes.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Edward Hammel, Kori Gardner Hammel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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