Mates of State are an American indie rock duo, who have been active since 1… Read Full Bio ↴Mates of State are an American indie rock duo, who have been active since 1997 when they formed in Lawrence, Kansas, United States. The group is composed of the husband-and-wife team Kori Gardner (vocals, Electone and Hammond B-3 electric organs, Casio synthesizer, and Rhodes electric piano, piano, and occasional guitar) and Jason Hammel (vocals, drum set, glockenspiel, other percussion, and occasional Casio synthesizer).

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.

Nature And The Wreck
Mates of State Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lying down,
I notice what you see.
Below us,
Your arms are like the trees.

I know I haven't said enough.
I know we haven't said enough.

How I will protect,
And how each day matters.

Spying shows,
Your limbs caught in the rails.
These simple games will soon be growing tales.
And I know we haven't said enough.
I know I haven't said too much.

How I will protect
And how each day matters
To me.

Since the wreck,
I know more what you need.
You need me to put you in the trees.

I know we haven't said enough
But I know I've never loved this much.

Overall Meaning

The first two lines of "Nature And The Wreck" by Mates of State sets the scene of two people lying down, presumably side by side outdoors, looking down below. There's a sense of awe and amazement as they notice what each other sees. The first metaphor that's introduced is "Your arms are like the trees." This line gives the impression that the person lying next to them is strong, sturdy, and supportive, which is why they're being compared to an unshakeable tree.

As the song progresses, the lyrics change from a focus on what is being seen, to what is being felt. The repetition of "I know we haven't said enough" implies that there is something left unsaid, that there's more room for vulnerability and openness in the relationship. The lines "How I will protect, and how each day matters" highlights the importance of cherishing each moment spent together, and the promise of protection against what the future may bring.

The line "Spying shows, your limbs caught in the rails" introduces a sense of danger that contrasts with the tranquility felt in the previous verses. The game that is played is simple, but it could soon turn into something much bigger, growing into stories that may be told for years to come. The final verse drives home the importance of the people in the relationship, as the lyrics declare "Since the wreck, I know more what you need. You need me to put you in the trees." This line explains that the partners need each other to stay strong and centered.

Line by Line Meaning

Lying down,
As I lay here next to you

I notice what you see.
I'm aware of what captures your attention

Below us,
As we look down

Your arms are like the trees.
I'm admiring the way your arms stretch out like the branches of a tree

I know I haven't said enough.
I acknowledge that I haven't expressed everything I feel

I know we haven't said enough.
We haven't communicated everything we need to

How I will protect,
I promise to keep you safe

And how each day matters.
I value and cherish every day we have together

Spying shows,
As I observe

Your limbs caught in the rails.
I see your limbs trapped and vulnerable, like they're caught in the tracks of a train

These simple games will soon be growing tales.
Our innocent actions will become lasting memories that we'll talk about in the future

And I know we haven't said enough.
We still haven't revealed all of our thoughts and feelings

I know I haven't said too much.
Even though I haven't shared everything, I'm still careful not to overload you with my words

How I will protect
Once again, I make a vow to safeguard your well-being

And how each day matters
Our days are precious and I prioritize making the most of our time together

To me.
This is what YOU mean to me

Since the wreck,
After a time of hardship or chaos

I know more what you need.
I've gained insight into what you require from me

You need me to put you in the trees.
You want me to lift you up, to raise you higher than you previously thought possible

I know we haven't said enough
Once more, I'm confessing that we still have a lot to express

But I know I've never loved this much.
Despite everything we still have to say, I'm confident that I've never loved anyone as deeply and fiercely as I love you

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Edward Hammel, Kori Gardner Hammel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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