Doughty's sound is that of muted acoustic guitar rhythms and nasally vocals with impeccable melodies. His lyrics are unique, and he can be described as a master wordsmith. He turned to a new direction for his 2008 album, Golden Delicious. Instead of an acoustic gritty sound, he began using things like electric guitars, stronger vocal backgrounds and even a cello.
Doughty's album, Yes and Also Yes, was released in August 2011. In January 2012, The Book of Drugs, Doughty's memoir about his "ugly, drug-doing years", was published by Da Capo Press. In 2012 Doughty recorded a version of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" for a fund-raising cd titled "Super Hits Of The Seventies" for radio station WFMU. Doughty's album, The Question Jar Show, was released in late January 2012. It is a two disc set containing highlights from his Question Jar tour.
Discography:
Skittish LP (recorded 1996; released 2000)
Smofe + Smang: Live in Minneapolis LP (2002)
Rockity Roll EP (2003)
Skittish / Rockity Roll double LP (2004): A two disc re-release which includes the out-of-print Skittish, the Rockity Roll EP, and five bonus tracks.
Haughty Melodic LP (2005): Doughty's first full-band album, released on May 3, 2005.
The Gambler EP (2005): Six song EP. Title track is a cover of the Kenny Rogers hit.
Golden Delicious (2008)
Sad Man Happy Man (2009)
Yes and Also Yes (2011)
The Question Jar Show (2012)
The Lo-Fi Lodge (2012)
The Flip Is Another Honey (2012)
Official website: www.mikedoughty.com
Unsingable Name
Mike Doughty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Want to be your only one now
Feel the rays come up from your sulkiness
Feel the rays you radiate now
Sweet and plain,
Unsignable name
That rings in my mind now
Chime, unsingable name
Over everything.
Beware the thrum of hearts in your presence and
Watch the breeze that snaps at you now
All the dogs that bark from the fences and
Everything is wanting for you
Smirk on the face and fists in the clenches and
Make the radiator blow now
Crack the planks and shatter the lenses and
Mix the salt, the sugar, and flour
Slushing, sleeting through the blue gloom
Some long bell's lonely ring
Chime, unsingable name
Over everything
I want to see the mountains in silhouette
Want to split for Singapore now
Want to see the mystery trees
Want to hear the womanly sound.
I want to see the mystery trees.
I want to hear the womanly sound.
The song "Unsingable Name" by Mike Doughty depicts a longing for someone to be the ultimate and only one for him. He wants to feel the radiation of the person and their sulkiness which is expressed through the rays that come up from it. The chorus of the song, "Sweet and plain, Unsingable name, That rings in my mind now, That strums me like a string, Chime, unsingable name, Over everything." describes the allure of the person's name that is sweet and plain but also unsingable. It rings in his mind now as it strums like a string and his thoughts revolve around them. The unsingable name rings over everything, meaning that it is always on his mind.
The second verse of the song describes the captivating presence of the person, warning of the thrum of hearts in their presence and the breeze that snaps at them. The chorus is repeated with more intensity, and the bridge of the song talks about how everything is wanting for the person. The imagery within the song is potent, with the person's presence being so strong that it makes the radiator blow, cracks the planks, and shatters the lenses.
In the final verse, the singer expresses his desire to see the mountains in silhouette, split for Singapore, and see the mystery trees. He wants to hear the womanly sound, which could be interpreted in various ways but may refer to the captivating voice of a woman. The song encapsulates the idea of longing and desire for a person and the power of their presence.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to be your absolute ultimate
I desire to be your utmost desire and necessity
Want to be your only one now
I aspire to be your sole and exclusive companion
Feel the rays come up from your sulkiness
I sense the warmth emanating from your sulking mood
Feel the rays you radiate now
I perceive the energy and vibes you are emitting at the moment
Sweet and plain,
Simple yet delightful
Unsignable name
A name impossible to sing or articulate due to its uniqueness
That rings in my mind now
That resounds and echoes in my thoughts currently
That strums me like a string
That moves and touches me emotionally, like a vibrating string
Chime, unsingable name
The unpronounceable name sounds like a ringing chime
Over everything.
Above and beyond all else
Beware the thrum of hearts in your presence and
Be cautious of the beating hearts in your vicinity and how they may react to you
Watch the breeze that snaps at you now
Be mindful of the gusts of wind that could suddenly strike you
All the dogs that bark from the fences and
Take heed of the canines that bark from behind the barriers and how they might be drawn to you
Everything is wanting for you
Everything and everyone desires you, eagerly awaiting your attention and affection
Smirk on the face and fists in the clenches and
A mischievous smile on the countenance and fists tightly clenched in anticipation
Make the radiator blow now
Cause the heating system to malfunction or explode in a burst of heat
Crack the planks and shatter the lenses and
Break apart the wooden boards and smash the glass panes
Mix the salt, the sugar, and flour
Blend together the sodium chloride, sucrose, and wheat powder
Slushing, sleeting through the blue gloom
Snow and sleet falling heavily through the dim and gloomy atmosphere
Some long bell's lonely ring
The melancholic tolling of a distant church bell
Chime, unsingable name
The indescribable name resonates like a striking bell
Over everything
Above all else
I want to see the mountains in silhouette
I yearn to witness the outline of the majestic peaks
Want to split for Singapore now
I desire to depart for the nation-state of Singapore immediately
Want to see the mystery trees
I long to observe the enigmatic trees
Want to hear the womanly sound.
I wish to listen to feminine voices and sounds
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MIKE DOUGHTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind