Acoustic five-piece playing bittersweet and beguiling folk-indie-pop songs about love, jealousy, apathy, imaginary friends, and pirates. Having released two albums to critical acclaim, the band announced on December 2, 2007 that after a short tour of Great Britain ending in February 20, 2008 in Scotland, the band would go on an 'indefinite hiatus' Singer-songwriter Nat Johnson is currently working on solo material and recently formed Nat Johnson and the Figureheads with former MSTU member Kevin Gori. Rob Dean has joined The Pete Green Corporate Juggernaut.
For more information, see the official MSTU site.
Little Polveir
Monkey Swallows the Universe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were everywhere like a Subway
At the summer's end when things start to fade and die
On the second day we saw shooting stars on the arm of a tattooed boy
By the afternoon we were starry too - starry dizzy from the things we saw
Suddenly you're not mine
Well did you always know I'd never be right?
You've taken your time to put on the brakelight
What if the days draw in and you haven't found your one?
Will you come back and see if I could be someone?
We had sunny spells and occasional rain, you were overcast throughout
We had BAH BAH BAH DOO WAH! You wanted la de da de, la de da da
Suddenly there's bad times and I have to pull the bunting down
Good thing there's no time to make a song and dance
Well did you always know I'd never be right?
You've taken your time to put on the brakelight
What if the days draw in and you still haven't found your one?
Will you come back and see if I could be someone?
The lyrics of Monkey Swallows the Universe's song Little Polveir are about the ups and downs of a relationship. The song opens with the singer reminiscing about the beginning of the relationship, when the other person was everywhere and had captured their attention. The lyrical comparisons to Subway indicate the presence of this person in every aspect of their life. However, the relationship becomes rocky as the summer ends and winter approaches. Suddenly, the other person is not theirs and they are facing the coldness of winter alone.
As the song progresses, the singer expresses their doubts about the relationship and their worthiness in the eyes of the other person. They question whether the other person knew all along that they would never be right for each other, and now that they have hit a rough spot, the other person has put on the brakelight. The singer also wonders what will happen if the other person never finds their soulmate, whether they will come back to see if the singer could be the one.
The song uses a mix of metaphors, from the Subway reference in the beginning to the "BAH BAH BAH DOO WAH!" and "la de da de, la de da da" in the middle. Despite the catchy and upbeat melody, the lyrics are bittersweet and express the doubt and pain of a relationship that is falling apart.
Line by Line Meaning
How you stole my gaze on the first day,
You immediately caught my attention on the very first day we met.
You were everywhere like a Subway
You were omnipresent in my life, like a Subway restaurant on every street corner.
At the summer's end when things start to fade and die
Our relationship started at the peak of summer, but now it's coming to an end as things naturally fade and die.
On the second day we saw shooting stars on the arm of a tattooed boy
The very next day after meeting, we witnessed a romantic scene involving shooting stars and a tattooed boy.
By the afternoon we were starry too - starry dizzy from the things we saw
We were swept up in the magic of the moment and felt dizzy from the awe-inspiring sights we saw.
Suddenly you're not mine
Our relationship ended abruptly and unexpectedly.
Suddenly we're into winter
Our relationship has transitioned from the warm, bright summer months to the cold, bleak winter season.
Well did you always know I'd never be right?
Did you realize from the beginning that I was never meant to be the right person for you?
You've taken your time to put on the brakelight
You've been slow in acknowledging that this relationship is not meant to be and taking action to end it.
What if the days draw in and you haven't found your one?
What if time passes and you still haven't found your soulmate?
Will you come back and see if I could be someone?
Would you consider coming back to me and giving me a chance to be that person for you?
We had sunny spells and occasional rain, you were overcast throughout
Our relationship had its ups and downs, but you always seemed to have a gloomy disposition.
We had BAH BAH BAH DOO WAH! You wanted la de da de, la de da da
We had different ideas of what our relationship should be and what kind of music we should enjoy together.
Suddenly there's bad times and I have to pull the bunting down
When our relationship took a turn for the worse, I had to remove all the festive decorations and accept that things are over.
Good thing there's no time to make a song and dance
Fortunately, there's no need to make a big show of ending things since it's happening naturally and without drama.
What if the days draw in and you still haven't found your one?
What if time passes and you still haven't found your soulmate?
Will you come back and see if I could be someone?
Would you consider coming back to me and giving me a chance to be that person for you?
Contributed by Daniel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jon
These guys are awesome, I luckily ran across an album in Austin, Tx. The Bright Carvings is one of the best albums of 2006!
Neil Morbey
I only just heard of this band and I live in Sheffield! They are fantastic... beautiful music and obviously highly talented musicians. I love it... gonna buy thier albums today!! My graduation treat!
BEZGOONER
Just found about these and love the tune.Just got the album and its been on non stop.Get back together and make more great music!
Zhaid Al Fayad
Me ha gustado mucho la cancion, muy bonita.
X. X.
Thanks to BBC 6 who played this beautiful song the other day.
Ejolina
Mine to! Definetely!
Jag0
on at 50s with corals in the morning. all my family on