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.
Think Long
Mates of State Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Get on, or get out).
Statues mocking me.
How am I supposed to feel?
How am I not put at ease?
Talk yourself to sleep.
Fall into it deep.
It doesn't have to feel so wrong.
Bethany you're riding this one to its grave (the gates).
You never understood the difference between someone's beating and refusal to trade.
Bless these tangled veins.
(Get on, or get out).
None of which will grow the same.
Now am I supposed to fake it?
Now are you so poised, at ease?
Think long, think, think long, think think.
Can you feel it surround me?
I think it'll drown me.
And I wonder how you could say that we (you) really owe (us) anything.
Think long, think, think long, think think.
The lyrics in Mates of State's "Think Long" suggest a sense of unease and tension within a romantic relationship. The opening lines depict a physical space cluttered with images (picture shelves) and statues that somehow mock the singer, causing her to question how she is supposed to feel. The use of the phrase "get on, or get out" multiple times throughout the song suggests a sense of urgency to either commit to the relationship or leave it altogether.
The chorus encourages deep introspection from both parties, urging them to "think long" and consider the consequences of their actions on each other. The lines "Bethany you're riding this one to its grave (the gates). You never understood the difference between someone's beating and refusal to trade" suggest that one person in the relationship is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the relationship, while the other may not fully comprehend that level of devotion.
The closing lines, "And I wonder how you could say that we (you) really owe (us) anything" hint at a sense of betrayal or abandonment within the relationship, as if one person has failed to live up to the expectations or promises made. Overall, "Think Long" seems to capture the complex emotions and struggles that can arise in a romantic relationship, and encourages both parties to closely examine their intentions and actions.
Line by Line Meaning
On our picture shelves.
The objects on our shelves are a reflection of our memories and experiences.
(Get on, or get out).
Either commit to this relationship or leave it behind.
Statues mocking me.
The objects on the shelves are stagnant and emotionless, leaving the singer feeling mocked by their inability to share the same stillness.
How am I supposed to feel?
The artist is unsure how to feel about their current circumstances.
How am I not put at ease?
Despite the stillness and calmness of the objects around the artist, they feel uneasy and unsettled.
Talk yourself to sleep.
Repeating thoughts and worries aloud until the singer falls asleep.
Fall into it deep.
Become consumed by the thoughts and worries.
I will wash off mine with rolling waves of worry.
The artist will try to alleviate their worries by replacing them with other worries, akin to washing dirt off with water.
It doesn't have to feel so wrong.
The artist believes that the situation doesn't have to feel so negative.
Bethany you're riding this one to its grave (the gates).
Addressing someone named Bethany and telling them that they will see this situation through until the end, even if it is to their own demise.
You never understood the difference between someone's beating and refusal to trade.
Bethany doesn't understand the difference between standing up for oneself and giving in to someone else's demands.
Bless these tangled veins.
Blessing the artist's twisted and complicated emotions, acknowledging the complexity of the situation.
(Get on, or get out).
Reiterating the need to either fully commit or leave the relationship behind.
None of which will grow the same.
All past experiences are unique and cannot be exactly replicated in the present moment.
Now am I supposed to fake it?
The singer questions if they should pretend to be okay with the situation.
Now are you so poised, at ease?
Addressing someone else and questioning if they are truly comfortable with the situation at hand.
Think long, think, think long, think think.
Reiterating the need for introspection and contemplation about the situation.
Can you feel it surround me?
The emotional weight and complexity of the situation feels all-encompassing for the singer.
I think it'll drown me.
The singer fears that the situation will completely consume them.
And I wonder how you could say that we (you) really owe (us) anything.
Challenging someone's belief that they are entitled to something from the artist, despite the emotional weight of the situation.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Edward Hammel, Kori Gardner Hammel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jai Om
I remember buying this because I got a good feeling when I looked at the album,as always in a lonely state, and needing something for long nights ..where all I could do was "think long" as well as the rest of the albums songs were well titled. This is one of few albums in this genre that blew me away on an impulse buy every song hit me in the face and when it ended, I was astounded that two people could do so right together as this was a ringing in my head for months,truly loving the crap out of what these two meant in life to me at the time.hope. For what? Fck I don't know just to keep going..that's hard enough for me.-here's to cheap therapy friends.
Benjamin Carter
to this day... I'm always fucked.. but koree and Jason always make me feel better and worse at the same time..
Han&Pret Zel
On our picture shelves.
(Get on, or get out).
Statues mocking me.
How am I supposed to feel?
How am I not put at ease?
Talk yourself to sleep.
Fall into it deep.
I will wash off mine with rolling waves of worry.
It doesn't have to feel so wrong.
Bethany you're riding this one to its grave (the gates).
You never understood the difference between someone's beating and refusal to trade.
Bless these tangled veins.
.
None of which will grow the same.
Now am I supposed to fake it?
Now are you so poised, at ease?
Think long, think, think long, think think.
Can you feel it surround me?
I think it'll drown me.
And I wonder how you could say that we (you) really owe (us) anything.
Think long, think, think long, think think.
Lester Green
one of the best and most underrated albums of that generation, they put on a great live show too.
John Patin
Love this but they look crazy
Also Alexa will play "Goods" and "For the Actor" but refused to acknowledge that this exists.
Jai Om
are you staying in the shadows on life's dance floor/killing floor/cutting floor? It's were you find me..
Talking myself to sleep..
it doesn't have to feel so cold..
Think long, think long
think think
wonder how they could think that?..
they really don't know a thing..
think long think long
Think
Think..
Ouack strax
From far away, I thought that was Stuart from Mad TV.