The band's current configuration is Isaac Brock (vocals, guitar), Tom Peloso (strings, horns, bass, keyboards), Jim Fairchild (guitar), and Eric Judy (bass)). Plummer has recently become the new drummer for The Shins.
Brock came up with the name "Modest Mouse" when he read the Virginia Woolf stream of consciousness essay The Mark On the Wall in which the author described the working middle class as "modest mouse-coloured people"
Brock frequently moved around with his mother when he was a child. Around this time, his mother left his father for his father's brother (Brock's uncle). Brock's mother's house flooded and forced them to move into his mother's new husband's trailer, but there was no room for Brock. Brock stayed behind, living in the second story of the flooded house, until he was eventually evicted by police. He then moved into a shed next to his mother's house and it is said this is where Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green and bassist Eric Judy first began playing music.
In 1994, the band recorded their debut EP, Blue Cadet-3, Do You Connect?, at Calvin Johnson's Dub Narcotic Studios, which was then released on Calvin's record label K Records. Then followed a single with Sub Pop that was recorded by producer Steve Wold at Moon Studios. Wold, who in the mid-2000's would begin to perform under the name Seasick Steve, would also perform on the band's albums, but was never an official member of the band. After moving to Up Records Modest Mouse put out several releases recorded at Moon Studios, including 1996's This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About. This double LP was produced and recorded by Steve Wold. The next offering on UP was Interstate 8; also produced by Steve Wold. 1997's The Lonesome Crowded West, (also recorded at Moon Studios, by Scott Swayze) turned out to be the band's breakthrough album. The Lonesome Crowded West gained the band a cult following and is now widely considered by many critics to be one of the defining albums of mid-90s indie rock.
In 2000, Modest Mouse released The Moon And Antarctica, their first album on a major label (Epic Records). The band enjoyed some success on alternative radio with the singles "3rd Planet" and "Gravity Rides Everything." Lead singer Isaac Brock has since put out an album with his side project Ugly Casanova on Sub Pop Records.
In 2003, drummer Jeremiah Green quit the band; the official word was that he was quitting to work with his side project, Vells. He was replaced with two members, drummer Benjamin Weikel (who also drummed for The Helio Sequence) and guitarist Dann Gallucci (Murder City Devils). Weikel being new to the band and Gallucci returning to the band for the first time since This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About. On April 6, 2004, Modest Mouse released the platinum-selling Good News For People Who Love Bad News, which scored two hits with "Float On" and "Ocean Breathes Salty". In 2004 Jeremiah Green returned to the band, and Benjamin Weikel now drums exclusively for The Helio Sequence. Dann Gallucci left the band in August, and they toured with Hutch Harris of The Thermals during the fall of 2004.
Modest Mouse was mentioned by name in the 2005 Supreme Court decision in the case of MGM v. Grokster. Justice Souter wrote that on the Grokster P2P network, "Users seeking Top 40 songs, for example, or the latest release by Modest Mouse, are certain to be far more numerous than those seeking a free Decameron, and Grokster and StreamCast translated that demand into dollars."
In 2005, multi-instrumentalist Tom Peloso, who already played various instruments on Good News For People Who Love Bad News, officially joined the band. In 2006, Johnny Marr, former guitarist for The Smiths, became an official member of the band.
On March 20, 2007, the band released their fifth album, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. Four singles were released from the album: "Dashboard", "Missed the Boat", "We've Got Everything" and "Little Motel". The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. James Mercer of The Shins provides backing vocals on three songs.
In 2009, they released No One's First And You're Next, an EP of unreleased songs from around the time Good News and We Were Dead were recorded, and two songs that had already been released, "I've Got It All (Most)" and "King Rat". The video for King Rat was directed by late actor Heath Ledger.
In 2009, Johnny Marr left the band and was replaced by Jim Fairchild, formerly of Grandaddy. The band performed at several festivals throughout 2009 and 2010, including the main stage of the Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2010.
After an 8 year wait, the band's latest full-length is "Strangers To Ourselves", released March 17th, 2015- two weeks after the original release date, March 3rd, 2015. The album art is an aerial photo of an RV resort located in Mesa, Arizona. Five singles were released before the album, "Lampshades on Fire", "Coyotes", "The Ground Walks, with Time in a Box", "The Best Room", and "Of Course we Know".
Drummer Jeremiah Green passed away from cancer on December 31, 2022 at the age of 45.
World at Large
Modest Mouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If the world's at large, why should I remain?
Walked away to another planet
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand
I move on to another day
To a whole new town with a whole new way
Went to the porch to have a thought
Got to the door and, again, I couldn't stop
But you still got your words and you got your friends
Walk along to another day
Work a little harder work another way
Well uh-uh, baby, I ain't got no plan
Well I float on, maybe would you understand?
Gonna float on, maybe would you understand?
Well I float on, maybe would you understand?
The days get shorter and the nights get cold
I like the autumn but this place is getting old
I pack up my belongings and I head for the coast
It might not be a lot but I feel like I'm making the most
The days get longer and the nights smell green
I guess it's not surprising but it's spring and I should leave
I like songs about drifters, books about the same
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane
Walked on off to another spot
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?
The moths beat themselves to death against the lights
Adding their breeze to the summer nights
Outside water like air was gray
I didn't know what I had that day
Walk a little farther to another plan
You said that you did, but you didn't understand
I know that starting over's not what life's about
But my thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth
My thoughts were so loud, I couldn't hear my mouth
My thoughts were so loud, ah
The lyrics of "World at Large" by Modest Mouse describe the singer's search for a place to belong. Despite the challenges presented by the changing weather and personal struggles, the character is determined to keep moving forward in search of a new home. The line "if the world's at large, why should I remain?" suggests a sense of detachment from society and the search for individuality. As the character travels to different locations, they are constantly questioning their own desires for love and understanding. The line "I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want, did I want love? Did I need to know?" conveys the singer's confusion and continued search for meaning. The moth imagery in the final stanza suggests a theme of rebellion against societal norms and the desire for freedom.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the process of self-discovery and finding one's place in the world. The repeated phrase "float on" suggests a feeling of levity and hope despite the challenges faced by the character. The use of seasonal imagery also underscores the cyclical nature of life and the possibility of new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
Ice age, heat wave, can't complain
Despite the extremes of conditions, I have no reason to complain
If the world's at large, why should I remain?
With the vastness of the world, why stay in one place?
Walked away to another planet
I left to find a new place to call home
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand
I hope to find a place where I am comfortable and happy
I move on to another day
I continue to live and experience new opportunities
To a whole new town with a whole new way
I am exploring a new town with unique customs and traditions
Went to the porch to have a thought
I went outside to reflect on my situation
Got to the door and, again, I couldn't stop
Despite my intentions, I continued on with my journey
You don't know where and you don't know when
The path ahead is uncertain and unpredictable
But you still got your words and you got your friends
Even in unknown territory, I have my words and my relationships to keep me grounded
Walk along to another day
I continue to move forward, taking things as they come
Work a little harder work another way
To adapt to new surroundings, I may need to put in extra effort and try a different approach
Well uh-uh, baby, I ain't got no plan
I do not have a specific plan, but that does not deter me from moving forward
Well I float on, maybe would you understand?
I keep going, perhaps hoping that others will relate to my journey
Gonna float on, maybe would you understand?
I will keep going, hoping for understanding and support from others
The days get shorter and the nights get cold
As the seasons change, the days get darker and colder
I like the autumn but this place is getting old
While I appreciate the beauty of fall, my current location is losing its appeal
I pack up my belongings and I head for the coast
I am leaving this place to move to the coast
It might not be a lot but I feel like I'm making the most
While it may not seem like a big change, I feel that I am making the best decision for myself
The days get longer and the nights smell green
As spring arrives, the days get longer and the world comes alive with growth
I guess it's not surprising but it's spring and I should leave
With the arrival of spring, it feels like the right time to leave my current location
I like songs about drifters, books about the same
I find comfort in stories about people who wander and explore
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane
These stories help me feel more connected and less alone in my own journey
Walked on off to another spot
I left my previous spot and moved on to a new place
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want
Despite my efforts, I have not yet found the ideal place or situation
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
I question whether or not love is important in my journey
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?
I feel like I am constantly fighting against something, unable to fully relax
The moths beat themselves to death against the lights
Moths are attracted to artificial light and often harm themselves trying to reach it
Adding their breeze to the summer nights
The fluttering of the moths' wings contributes to the feeling of a summer breeze
Outside water like air was gray
The environment outside felt heavy and oppressive, like a gray cloud
I didn't know what I had that day
In the moment, I did not fully appreciate what I had
Walk a little farther to another plan
I am continuing to walk and search for a new plan or goal
You said that you did, but you didn't understand
While others may claim to understand my journey, they truly do not comprehend the full extent of it
I know that starting over's not what life's about
I am aware that constantly starting over is not the purpose of life
But my thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth
My thoughts were so overwhelming that they drowned out my own voice
My thoughts were so loud, I couldn't hear my mouth
My internal dialogue was so loud that it interfered with my ability to speak or act
My thoughts were so loud, ah
The repetition of this line emphasizes how overpowering my thoughts were
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANN GALLUCCI, ERIC JUDY, ISAAC BROCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
José Alberto
Ice age, heat wave, can't complain
If the world's at large, why should I remain?
Walked away to another planet
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand
I move on to another day
To a whole new town with a whole new way
Went to the porch to have a thought
Got to the door and, again, I couldn't stop
You don't know where and you don't know when
But you still got your words and you got your friends
Walk along to another day
Work a little harder work another way
Well uh-uh, baby, I ain't got no plan
Well I float on, maybe would you understand?
Gonna float on, maybe would you understand?
Well I float on, maybe would you understand?
The days get shorter and the nights get cold
I like the autumn but this place is getting old
I pack up my belongings and I head for the coast
It might not be a lot but I feel like I'm making the most
The days get longer and the nights smell green
I guess it's not surprising but it's spring and I should leave
I like songs about drifters, books about the same
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane
Walked on off to another spot
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?
The moths beat themselves to death against the lights
Adding their breeze to the summer nights
Outside water like air was gray
I didn't know what I had that day
Walk a little farther to another plan
You said that you did, but you didn't understand
I know that starting over's not what life's about
But my thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth
My thoughts were so loud, I couldn't hear my mouth
My thoughts were so loud, ah
Chief Manny
The World at Large
Ice age, heat wave, can't complain
If the world's at large, why should I remain?
Walked away to another planet
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand
I move on to another day
To a whole new town with a whole new way
Went to the porch to have a thought
Got to the door and, again, I couldn't stop
You don't know where and you don't know when
But you still got your words and you got your friends
Walk along to another day
Work a little harder work another way
Well uh-uh, baby, I ain't got no plan
Well I float on, maybe would you understand?
Gonna float on, maybe would you understand?
Well I float on, maybe would you understand?
The days get shorter and the nights get cold
I like the autumn but this place is getting old
I pack up my belongings and I head for the coast
It might not be a lot but I feel like I'm making the most
The days get longer and the nights smell green
I guess it's not surprising but it's spring and I should leave
I like songs about drifters, books about the same
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane
Walked on off to another spot
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?
The moths beat themselves to death against the lights
Adding their breeze to the summer nights
Outside water like air was gray
I didn't know what I had that day
Walk a little farther to another plan
You said that you did, but you didn't understand
I know that starting over's not what life's about
But my thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth
My thoughts were so loud, I couldn't hear my mouth
My thoughts were so loud, ahhhhhh
Ace of Spades
using this for reference while i listen for the first time..
Ice age, heat wave, can't complain
If the world's at large, why should I remain?
Walked away to another planet
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand
I move on to another day
To a whole new town with a whole new way
Went to the porch to have a thought
Got to the door and, again, I couldn't stop
You don't know where and you don't know when
But you still got your words and you got your friends
Walk along to another day
Work a little harder work another way
Well uh-uh, baby, I ain't got no plan
Well I float on, maybe would you understand?
Gonna float on, maybe would you understand?
Well I float on, maybe would you understand?
The days get shorter and the nights get cold
I like the autumn but this place is getting old
I pack up my belongings and I head for the coast
It might not be a lot but I feel like I'm making the most
The days get longer and the nights smell green
I guess it's not surprising but it's spring and I should leave
I like songs about drifters, books about the same
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane
Walked on off to another spot
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?
The moths beat themselves to death against the lights
Adding their breeze to the summer nights
Outside water like air was gray
I didn't know what I had that day
Walk a little farther to another plan
You said that you did, but you didn't understand
I know that starting over's not what life's about
But my thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth
My thoughts were so loud, I couldn't hear my mouth
My thoughts were so loud, ah
Diego Arellanes
This song is stunning by itself, but I love how it bleeds into Float On, the transition between these two songs is one of my favorite things in the world. Absolutely lovely.
Roxanne Cazares
Yep just as I read this it merged awesome
Tammy Ikonen
What a beautiful comment xxxxoooo
Anastasia Milkshake
Float on baby, would you understand?
Avery
Yes you right bro
David Green
Awh! Thank you dad!
Extrimeman
This song feels like forests, fields and roads at the same time.
Tammy Ikonen
Perfectly said!!
Needmorediamonds
One of the best songs ever to be made and so unique.
Felipe M. Ath
totally