In an unusual move, the Seattle based Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band gathered … Read Full Bio ↴In an unusual move, the Seattle based Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band gathered considerable attention before releasing a single song. Instead the band relied on word of mouth, their quirky sensibility and several original 'PSA-style' youtube videos which don't even feature their music. Anticipation proved to be a great ally to the band, and upon the release of several songs from their upcoming EP they succeeded in providing a legitimate basis for all the internet hype.

The band is composed of Benjamin Verdoes (Guitar, and vocals), Marshall Verdoes (drums), Jared Price (bass), and Drew Fitchette (guitar).

Who's Asking
Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band Lyrics

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You say I want your heart,
Who says I′m asking?
I think I'll take my chances.
You say I shot those glaces to watch you dance;
I think I looked right past you.
You say I want your soul,
I say you want more.
My filibuster lasted!

You say I wrote that speech to watch you weep;
I meant to disappoint you.

[Chorus]
You want a whole revision
But by your own admission
You′re the cause of all the pending problems
(Of all the floating ashes)

You say I robbed you blind,
But I just can't see it.
I bet that you don't gamble!

You say I called that bluff to fall in love,
I say your dice are loaded.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band's song Who's Asking explore the idea of miscommunication and misunderstanding between two people. The singer is being accused of wanting someone's heart, soul, and even orchestrating actions that were actually unintentional. However, the singer asserts that they did not ask for any of these things and instead, are taking their chances in the situation. They also imply that the other person is equally at fault, wanting more from the singer than what is being offered.

The chorus carries the theme of taking responsibility for one's own problems and not placing blame on others. The singer insists that the other person wants a complete revision of the situation, but ultimately they are the cause of their own trouble. The reference to "floating ashes" likely symbolizes the aftermath of something significant, such as a destructive event, and the blame game that often follows.

The overall message of the song seems to be that perspective plays a crucial role in communication and relationships. Each person has their own interpretation of events and feelings, which can lead to misunderstandings and confusion. It highlights the importance of clear communication and taking responsibility for one's own actions.

Line by Line Meaning

You say I want your heart,
You believe I'm interested in a romantic relationship with you.

Who says I'm asking?
I never said I wanted your heart.

I think I'll take my chances.
I prefer to take risks and not have a committed relationship with you.

You say I shot those glaces to watch you dance;
You think I'm checking you out while you're dancing.

I think I looked right past you.
Actually, I didn't even notice you while you were dancing.

You say I want your soul,
You believe I have a deep, emotional desire for you.

I say you want more.
In reality, you are the one who has intense feelings and desires from me.

My filibuster lasted!
I was able to talk and delay a decision for a long time.

You say I wrote that speech to watch you weep;
You think I purposely made a speech that would make you cry.

I meant to disappoint you.
But actually, I intended to let you down and not fulfill your expectations.

You want a whole revision
You are hoping for a major change or improvement.

But by your own admission
However, you have confessed or acknowledged that you are responsible for the current problems.

You're the cause of all the pending problems
You are the one who is responsible for all the current and upcoming issues.

(Of all the floating ashes)
This might be a metaphor for the destruction that was caused by Mt. St. Helens, since this band is named after this volcanic mountain.

You say I robbed you blind,
You believe that I have taken something of great value from you without you noticing.

But I just can't see it.
But I disagree because I cannot find or identify what I'm supposed to have stolen.

I bet that you don't gamble!
I'm willing to bet that you are not a risk-taker or a gambler.

You say I called that bluff to fall in love,
You think that I made a bold move or decision to start a romantic relationship with you.

I say your dice are loaded.
But I believe that you have stacked the odds or manipulated the situation to your advantage.

Writer(s): Benjamin Verdoes, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

Contributed by Lucas Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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