MxPx started as three 15-year-old kids calling themselves Magnified Plaid pounding out music inspired by and similar to The Descendents and other Southern California punk rock bands. They didn’t really love their band name, however, which was a tribute to the original guitarist’s penchant for wearing one particularly loud plaid shirt. Consequently, the name was abbreviated to M.P., but in Yuri’s handwriting, periods become “X“‘s and since he made up the show posters for the band, the four-letter moniker stuck.
Andy Husted, the former guitarist, left the band in 1995 to continue college.
Andy was replaced by Tom to solidify the line-up that would take the band into their post-teen years. Maybe Tom’s background as a drummer made up for his relative inexperience playing guitar (he had only played for a year at the time). He and Yuri lock into backbreakingly fast rhythms that rank with vintage Minor Threat for speed and percussive attack. Mike then adds to the mix his signature sing-along melodies that call to mind SoCal punk bands from the early ’80s.
Bremerton had been a town most famous for its naval shipyards until MxPx caught the attention of Tooth & Nail Records when they played a “showcase” for the T&N label in 1993 in Herrera’s parents’ garage. Mike Herrera had practiced so much before the first show, he lost his voice.
MxPx released three albums with Tooth & Nail Records: Pokinatcha in 1994, Teenage Politics in 1995, and Life in General in 1996. After a falling out with Tooth & Nail, MxPx left the label and signed with A&M Records.
In July 2010 drummer Yuri Ruley announced he would be retiring from the band to focus on his family. Ruley played his last show with the band in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 18, 2010. In a recent video message from Mike, he stated that Tom and Yuri have both finished touring full time, but will continue to play one-off shows with the band.
Middlename
MxPx Lyrics
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I lay in bed and listen to the rain
Put happy thoughts in to my head
But I find instead the hurting words you said
Why won't you believe me
When I tell you the things that I see?
And I'll still see you tomorrow at the show
It's been a long winded long time
I wish I could forget you
And what you said
You're directing your complaints to me
I should walk away, I could easily
Never hear a word you say
I'm not your robot or your slave
I won't behave, I'm not your toy
Go on go bury me with self righteousness
I confess, I'm just a boy
The song "Middlename" by MxPx is about the emotional struggles that the singer has been going through due to a relationship that has ended badly. The lyrics of the song paint a picture of someone who is trying to come to terms with the end of a relationship but is battling with their emotions.
The first two lines of the song, "Emotion is my middle name, I lay in bed and listen to the rain", reveal that the singer is someone who is very in touch with their emotions. They find comfort in listening to the sound of the rain and trying to put happy thoughts in their head, but are unable to escape the hurting words their ex-partner said to them. The singer pleads with their ex-partner, asking them to believe them when they tell them what they see.
While the singer wishes they had never met their ex-partner and could forget them and what they said, they are still going to see them at a concert the next day. The singer is frustrated and feels like they are being treated unfairly, but refuses to be a robot or slave to their ex-partner's demands. They are their own person and won't behave like a toy. The final line, "I confess, I'm just a boy", shows the vulnerability of the singer and their struggles in dealing with their emotions and the end of the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Emotion is my middle name
My feelings are extremely important to me and are a defining part of who I am.
I lay in bed and listen to the rain
When I'm feeling down or introspective, I like to lie in bed and listen to the soothing sound of rain outside.
Put happy thoughts in to my head
I try to consciously replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
But I find instead the hurting words you said
Your hurtful words continue to weigh heavily on my mind and cause me pain.
Why won't you believe me
I feel frustrated and unheard when you don't take my words seriously.
When I tell you the things that I see?
I'm trying to share my perspective with you and wish you would listen.
And I'll still see you tomorrow at the show
Despite our conflicts, I am committed to continuing our relationship and seeing you again the next day.
It's been a long winded long time
Our disagreements have gone on for too long and taken a toll on me emotionally.
I wish I'd never met you
At times, I feel like our relationship has caused me more pain than happiness.
I wish I could forget you
Sometimes I wish I could erase all of our interactions from my memory.
And what you said
Your words continue to hurt me and linger in my mind.
You're directing your complaints to me
I feel like you're blaming me for issues that aren't solely my responsibility.
I should walk away, I could easily
Part of me feels like it might be healthier for me to end our relationship.
Never hear a word you say
I'm tired of the constant negativity and don't want to be subjected to it anymore.
I'm not your robot or your slave
I won't be controlled or manipulated by you.
I won't behave, I'm not your toy
I refuse to be someone you can control or play with.
Go on go bury me with self righteousness
You continue to act as if you're better than me, but I refuse to be buried under that self-righteousness.
I confess, I'm just a boy
Ultimately, I'm still young and learning, and I may not always make the best decisions or handle things perfectly.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management
Written by: RORY GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind