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.

Second Hand News
Mates of State Lyrics

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I know there's nothing to say
Someone has taken my place
When times go bad, when times go rough
Won't you lay me down in the tall grass and let me do my stuff?

I know I got nothing on you
I know there's nothing to do
When times go bad and you can't get enough

Won't you lay me down in the tall grass and let me do my stuff?

One thing I think you should know
I ain't gonna miss you when you go
Been down so long, I've been tossed around enough
Oh, won't you just let me go down and do my stuff?

I know you're hoping to find
Someone who's gonna give you peace of mind
When times go bad, when times go rough
Won't you lay me down in the tall grass and let me do my stuff?

Do it, do it, do it

I'm just second hand news, I'm just second hand news, yeah
I'm just second hand news, I'm just second hand news, yeah
I'm just second hand news, I'm just second hand news, yeah

I'm just second hand news, I'm just second hand news, yeah
Yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mates of State's "Second Hand News" appear to be about a relationship that has fallen apart because somebody else has taken the singer's place. The first verse is a plea for comfort during these difficult times, with the singer asking to be laid down in the tall grass to do their own thing. They acknowledge that they don't have anything on the other person, and that there's nothing to be done about the situation. In the second verse, the singer declares that they're not going to miss the other person when they're gone, and asks to be left alone to do their own thing. The third verse seems to be addressing the other person directly, telling them that they're looking for peace of mind but won't find it with the singer. The repeated chorus of "I'm just second hand news" emphasizes the singer's feelings of being cast aside and forgotten.

Overall, the song seems to be about somebody who has been replaced in a relationship and is struggling to come to terms with it. The metaphors of being laid down in the tall grass and being second hand news suggest feelings of insignificance and being left behind, while the repeated refrain emphasizes that the singer is just a footnote in the other person's life. Despite the melancholic tone of the lyrics, the upbeat tempo and driving rhythm create an interesting contrast that gives the song a sense of energy and propulsion.

Line by Line Meaning

I know there's nothing to say
I am aware that there is no conversation to be had between us.

Someone has taken my place
You have replaced me with someone else.

When times go bad, when times go rough Won't you lay me down in the tall grass and let me do my stuff?
During difficult times, please let me be and work through them on my own.

I know I got nothing on you I know there's nothing to do When times go bad and you can't get enough Won't you lay me down in the tall grass and let me do my stuff?
I know I am not as good as you, and when you are struggling, please allow me to handle it in my own way.

One thing I think you should know I ain't gonna miss you when you go Been down so long, I've been tossed around enough Oh, won't you just let me go down and do my stuff?
I need you to understand that I will not miss you when you leave, as I have been through enough and require the space to handle things on my own.

I know you're hoping to find Someone who's gonna give you peace of mind When times go bad, when times go rough Won't you lay me down in the tall grass and let me do my stuff?
I understand that you are searching for someone who can provide you peace during hard times, but during those moments, please give me the opportunity to figure things out myself.

Do it, do it, do it
A phrase that expresses desire or encouragement to perform a specific action.

I'm just second hand news, I'm just second hand news, yeah I'm just second hand news, I'm just second hand news, yeah I'm just second hand news, I'm just second hand news, yeah I'm just second hand news, I'm just second hand news, yeah Yeah
I am not deserving of the same attention as the primary source of information, as I am just secondary news and not as important.

Contributed by Camilla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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