Midlake began in 1999 by a group of jazz students at the University of North Texas. The original lineup consisted of Tim Smith (vocals, guitars, keyboards), McKenzie Smith (drums), Paul Alexander (bass), Eric Nichelson (guitar), and Evan Jacobs (keyboards). Their initial work (under the working name The Cornbread All-Stars) consisted of funk/jazz explorations heavily influenced by Herbie Hancock.
Later the band began to lean more toward an indie rock sound. Tim Smith quit playing saxophone and began writing songs that were heavily influenced by bands such as Jethro Tull, Radiohead, Travis, and Grandaddy. Smith says about that: "We don't want to get called a Radiohead rip-off band. I think Radiohead is a lot closer to my natural tendencies as a songwriter than a band like, um, Jethro Tull. I listen to way more Jethro Tull than I do Radiohead these days, but I could write 10 Radiohead songs before I could write one Jethro Tull song. I want to sound more like Jethro Tull, but I just can't. That's a big struggle."
Jacobs left the band and Eric Nichelson took over on keyboard. Jason Upshaw joined the band as a guitarist. Live recordings from this period, recorded at Denton's Panhandle House studio, were never released as the band felt they had moved beyond the material.
Soon before their debut EP, Milkmaid Grand Army, was recorded, Upshaw was replaced on guitars by Eric Pulido, a longtime friend of drummer Smith, to form the current lineup. Their debut full-length album, 2004's Bamnan and Slivercork, was recorded at home in Denton, Texas and mastered at Abbey Road Studios. It showed a move in the direction of lo-fi psychedelic electronica, embracing influences such as Grandaddy and The Flaming Lips. The album even caught the ear of skateboarder-turned-actor Jason Lee, who produced and directed the music video for the song 'Balloon Maker', and who continues to support and promote the band.
In 2006, after nearly a year and a half of recording and re-recording, they completed their second release for Bella Union – The Trials of Van Occupanther. The album was met with generally positive reviews.
The 3rd album release by the band is called The Courage of Others. It was released on February 1, 2010. The album sleeve pays homage to Andrei Rublev, a 1966 film by Russian writer and director Andrei Tarkovsky.
In this album Smith focusing on the human condition, death, courage (as per the album’s title), and nature. The band put aside the wonderfully corny synthesizers they used on the last record in favor of a 100-percent organic approach that fits their bearded poets of the mountain image. The album received overwhelmingly positive review.
www.midlake.net
Chasing After Deer
Midlake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sorry that I missed you
When there's no-one there to greet you
I'm sorry that I missed you
You're always chasing after deer
Oh my dear, oh my dear
And through the meadow I can hear
For myself I must remind
That the woods are usually kind
And the sea is not mine
And when you're all alone
And chasing after deer
Don't be upset if it's scared
And you can't reach it
I know that you are fast
But it's much faster
And after a while you can't keep up
So you start to lag behind
But it doesn't know
That you've resigned
So off a cliff
It falls to the sea
And you are sad
But the sea is not mine
The sea is not mine, the sea is not mine
The sea is not mine, the sea is not mine
The lyrics to Midlake's song "Chasing After Deer" speak to the subject of missed connections and unfulfilled expectations. The singer expresses regret for not being present to greet someone, indicating that the absence may have led to disappointment or frustration. However, the focus of the song is on the imagery of chasing after deer, with the singer addressing someone who is always chasing after deer. This metaphorical pursuit could represent any endeavor where one is consistently chasing after something elusive and difficult to obtain. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Oh my dear, oh my dear," which may be a play on words, referencing the hunted deer while also possibly indicating affection for the person being addressed.
The middle verse of the song provides a bit of commentary on the chase, suggesting that while the woods and meadows can be kind and beautiful, the sea is not something to possess or control. The singer reminds the person chasing after the deer that the creature may become scared and run away, and that it may be impossible to catch up with it. The final verse suggests that the deer falls into the sea, and even though the person may feel sadness or loss, they must remember that the sea is not theirs to control or possess.
Possible discussion points about the song could revolve around the use of metaphor, the theme of missed connections, and the idea of pursuing something that may prove to be unattainable. The different images utilized in the song can be analyzed, particularly the comparison and contrast between the woods, the meadow, and the sea. Additionally, the repetition of the phrase "the sea is not mine" could represent a broader message about the limits of human control and the need to accept certain events and outcomes.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes I'm sorry that I missed you
Expressing regret for not being present or available when needed
I'm sorry that I missed you
Repeating a sincere apology for the previous line
When there's no-one there to greet you
Acknowledging the absence of a welcoming presence
I'm sorry that I missed you
Concluding with a final expression of regret
You're always chasing after deer
A metaphor for pursuing a goal that may be elusive or unattainable
Oh my dear, oh my dear
Using endearment to empathize with the struggle and challenge of the pursuit
And through the meadow I can hear
Setting the scene and tone for the imagery of nature and sound
My fears, oh my fears
Reflecting on the emotions of apprehension and worry that arise from the journey
For myself I must remind
Shifting the focus towards personal reflection and realization
That the woods are usually kind
Recognizing the benevolence and generosity of the natural world
And the sea is not mine
Acknowledging the limitations of control and possession
And when you're all alone
Directing the message towards the listener or protagonist
And chasing after deer
Re-emphasizing the central pursuit of the metaphor
Don't be upset if it's scared
Encouraging acceptance and understanding of the fear or resistance encountered
And you can't reach it
Acknowledging the possibility of failure or disappointment
I know that you are fast
Offering validation and recognition of the artist's skills and abilities
But it's much faster
Highlighting the challenge and difficulty of the pursuit
And after a while you can't keep up
Acknowledging the exhaustion and limitations of the human effort
So you start to lag behind
Describing the inevitable slowing down and struggle of the pursuit
But it doesn't know
Highlighting the lack of communication or understanding between the artist and the pursued
That you've resigned
Acknowledging the decision to give up or stop trying
So off a cliff
Using imagery to depict the sudden and unexpected end result of the pursuit
It falls to the sea
Continuing the metaphor of nature and fate
And you are sad
Expressing the emotional impact of disappointment and loss
But the sea is not mine
Repeating the earlier acknowledgement of control and possession
The sea is not mine, the sea is not mine
Reiterating the theme of letting go and accepting the uncertain and uncontrollable nature of life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERIC NICHELSON, ERIC PULIDO, MCKENZIE SMITH, PAUL ALEXANDER, TIM SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind