They are often associated with Australian labelmates The Lucksmiths and twee pop band Tullycraft, and Pitchfork Media described their work as "music to hold hands to."
Both Charles and James were raised in Olympia, Washington, home of K Records and Kill Rock Stars, and they soaked up a thriving indie music scene. Before convening Math and Physics Club they were in a band called Drive Car Girl (named after a Beat Happening song). Kevin played in a number of bands in Connecticut and Massachusetts before moving to Seattle, including a stint with a soul band called Soulwork. Kevin is the singer and co-leader of the band Central Services. Violinist Saundrah Humphrey left Math and Physics Club in December 2007, though it is reported on the band's unofficial myspace site that she may record with the band in the future.
Math and Physics Club can be seen as musical descendants of C86 and Sarah Records although no formal connection exists.
Look At Us Now
Math and Physics Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thoughts we never could mention
One-word conversations
With all that we have now
Oh, I still remember that night in the park
When you held my hand in the dark
Over a blanket under the stars
We were in love
But look at us now
Look at us now
Look at us now
Oh, I still remember that night in the park
When you held my hand in the dark
Over a blanket under the stars
We were in love
Look at us now
Look at us now
Look at us now
The lyrics of Math and Physics Club's song Look at Us Now delve into the theme of lost love and how the warmth of affection turns cold over time. The opening lines "Cold affection, thoughts we never could mention, one-word conversations" depict how the relationship has lost its spark and has reached the point of fading away into oblivion. The phrase "all that we have now" conveys the emptiness that remains between the two individuals who once shared an intense bond.
The chorus "We were in love, but look at us now" is a powerful reflection on the passing of time and how it can change everything, including feelings of love. It speaks to the pangs of nostalgia and how people often look back at a past love with regret and sadness. The repetition of the phrase "Look at us now" emphasizes the stark contrast between the past and the present, highlighting how the love has diminished and become a distant memory.
The lyrics also evoke the magic of a particular moment when the love was fresh and pure. The lines "Oh, I still remember that night in the park, When you held my hand in the dark, Over a blanket under the stars" paint a vivid image of a beautiful moment when love was in full bloom. This is in contrast with the present reality, where the warmth of love has cooled off, and they are left with just memories.
Overall, Look at Us Now brings attention to a universal human feeling of looking back and longing for a past love. The lyrics depict the fading of a relationship and how the passage of time can alter our feelings of affection considerably.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold affection
The love between us is no longer warm and passionate, but has grown cold and distant.
Thoughts we never could mention
There are things we used to think, feel, or want that we can no longer express or share with each other.
One-word conversations
Our communication has become shallow, brief, and unfulfilling, with no depth or context to our words.
With all that we have now
Despite having material possessions, status, or achievements, we have lost something valuable that we can never replace or regain.
Oh, I still remember that night in the park
Despite the passage of time and the changes in our relationship, I still vividly recall a special moment we shared together.
When you held my hand in the dark
I remember feeling comforted, connected, and cared for by your touch, even in a simple and dark setting.
Over a blanket under the stars
We created a romantic and intimate ambiance, despite being outdoors and exposed to nature's elements.
We were in love
At that time, we felt a genuine and intense affection for each other, with all its joys and challenges.
But look at us now
However, our current situation is drastically different from our past, idealized version of our relationship.
Look at us now
Let us acknowledge and confront the painful reality of our current relationship, instead of denying, escaping, or sugarcoating it.
Look at us now
Let us take responsibility for our role in causing or tolerating the deterioration of our relationship, and actively seek to improve it or move on from it.
Contributed by Blake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.