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.
Parachutes
Mates of State Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There the darling goes, magnetics that are pulling her down
Twenty-five seconds to live and I'm waving high
All this white's a thrill
Turning just to give us the sign
And what I never had were pictures passing by
Forces that make your way down
Was you reaching out in hopes that you could grab
Forces that make your way down
I'd say that's better 'cause at least I know you tried
At least I know you tried
Twenty-five seconds to live and I'm falling down
There the darling goes, whipping out her funeral song
Twenty-five seconds to live and I'm waving high
Now he cuts to go, deciding just to trade it all in
And what I never had were pictures flashing by
Forces that make your way down
But what I had between the things I never tried
Was you reaching out in hopes to hold your hand
Forces that make your way down
I'd say I'm better 'cause I lived before I died
At least I know you tried
The song "Parachutes" by Mates of State opens with the repeated line “Twenty-five seconds to live and I’m falling down”, which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics speak to the idea of living life to the fullest without any regrets; they are about taking chances and risks, even when the outcome is uncertain. The singer seems to be reflecting on their life as it is coming to an end, and they are acknowledging the missed opportunities and moments where they failed to take a leap of faith. However, they are comforted by the fact that they had someone in their life who was always there to support and encourage them. The lines “And what I never had were pictures passing by” and “But what I had between the things I never tried/ Was you reaching out in hopes to hold your hand” show that the singer is grateful for this person who was there for them, helping them live a full life.
The idea of parachutes is a recurring motif throughout the song. Parachutes are devices that are used to slow down and soften a fall, and in the context of the song, they represent the safety nets and support systems that we have in our lives. The lines "There the darling goes, whipping out her funeral song" indicate that, despite having a parachute, the singer is still falling and will eventually hit the ground.
Overall, "Parachutes" is a poignant and reflective song that encourages listeners to take chances and live without regret, while also acknowledging the importance of having a support system to help us along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Twenty-five seconds to live and I'm falling down
I am tumbling towards something unknown and terrifying at an alarmingly fast rate.
There the darling goes, magnetics that are pulling her down
The person I care about is being forcefully drawn towards a similar faith as me.
Twenty-five seconds to live and I'm waving high
I am trying to communicate and connect with those around me before it's too late.
All this white's a thrill
The uncertainty of what's to come is both exhilarating and terrifying.
Turning just to give us the sign
Trying to find any evidence of understanding or clarity amidst the chaos.
And what I never had were pictures passing by
I never experienced the typical moments one might expect during life, such as fond memories or nostalgia.
Forces that make your way down
The inevitable forces that shape our lives and lead us towards our shared fate.
And what I had between the things I never tried
Though I missed out on certain experiences, I was fortunate enough to have you in my life.
Was you reaching out in hopes that you could grab
You tried to connect with me and provide support during our shared journey towards the end.
Forces that make your way down
The unchangeable forces of the universe that guide us towards our final moments.
I'd say that's better 'cause at least I know you tried
Even though we may not have succeeded in our efforts, it was still worth it to have tried and connected with each other in our final moments.
There the darling goes, whipping out her funeral song
The person I care about is accepting their fate and preparing for the end by singing a song.
Now he cuts to go, deciding just to trade it all in
Someone else has chosen to end their struggle and move on to the next stage of existence.
But what I had between the things I never tried
The time we spent together gave me a sense of peace and fulfillment despite the things I missed out on in life.
Was you reaching out in hopes to hold your hand
You tried to comfort me and provide support during this difficult time.
I'd say I'm better 'cause I lived before I died
Even though my time was cut short, I am grateful for the moments I was able to experience and the connections I made in my life.
At least I know you tried
While we may not have succeeded in avoiding our fate, we at least tried to find understanding and connection before the end.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Edward Hammel, Kori Gardner Hammel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind