Says Alex of the first single from the fourth Oh Mercy album - still untitled... “Sandy is a fast song. Faster than the other ones. Or slower. It really just depends on how you count the bars. And which song you compare it to. Faster than a real slow song. Slower than a real fast one. Sandy is a stuck in the middle kind of song. I wrote it in Nashville. I was walking to a Mexican restaurant. It's about self loathing. And self loathing by way of resenting someone who loves you. Just for loving you! (what a world!!!). It's a little about needing it. But wishing you didn’t need it. In the end you're god damn glad you got it.”
Alex Gow recently returned home to Melbourne from the States where he spent time in Nashville, Portland and Los Angeles, disconnected and rootless - a ‘romatic saboteur’ creating his forthcoming album.
Read the album’s travel diary here: http://www.ohmercy.com.au/about/
Gow is one of Australia’s most acclaimed singer/songwriters. Releasing three albums by the time he was 25, he won the ‘Outstanding Potential Award’ at the AMP’s in 2009 and was awarded the EG Music ‘Outstanding Achivement’ Award in 2012. He also has a string of ARIA nominations under his belt for the albums Privileged Woes, Great Barrier Grief and most recent, Deep Heat.
Drums
Oh Mercy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby I live to serve
When I hear that beating sound
You know I live to serve
Just as a blacksmith's furnace squeals
And the rail men groan
I'm every woman's man
I hear the drums of love
I see the dark clouds overhead
I hear the drums of love
Beating make me wish I was dead
I keep my eyes peeled
You build a house of light
I'll learn to swim babe
Visit you every night
You give me shameless love
I'll show you heathen delight
Out in the Pasadena sun
A simple paradise
I'll keep my lips sealed
You just beat that drum
I live to serve babe
I hear the drums of love
I know the madness of love
Bring a madman's reward
See me live by the beat
Now watch me die by its sword
I'll learn to swim babe
You just beat that drum
I live to serve lately
I serve anyone
I hear the drums of love
I see the dark clouds overhead
I hear the drums of love
Beating make me wish I was dead
I hear the drums of love
I see the dark clouds overhead
I hear the drums of love
Beating make me wish I was dead
The lyrics of Oh Mercy's song "Drums" convey a sense of helplessness and willingness to submit oneself to the power of love. The opening lines, "I got no plans of my own, Baby I live to serve," suggest a person who is ready to be directed and guided by someone else. The second line, "When I hear that beating sound, you know I live to serve," further implies that the singer of the song is waiting for a cue or a signal from the beloved to act.
The metaphor of "the drums of love" takes central place in the song, with the singer repeatedly hearing them and reacting to their call. The image is both evocative and powerful, suggesting the force and irresistible pull of love as a primal, almost ritualistic, sound. The lines, "I hear the drums of love, beating make me wish I was dead," convey the idea that the singer is not entirely comfortable with being so immersed in the experience of love, as it could be overwhelming and all-consuming.
The second half of the song is more optimistic, with the singer expressing his willingness to learn new things and adapt to the changes that love brings. The lines, "I'll learn to swim babe, visit you every night," suggest a willingness to take risks and challenge oneself. At the same time, the other person is described as a source of both shameless love and heathen delight, further emphasizing the intense and transformative nature of the relationship.
Overall, "Drums" is a song that captures the experience of falling in love and the emotional rollercoaster that it entails. It suggests that love is a force that can both elevate and submerge a person, but that ultimately, it is worth the risk.
Line by Line Meaning
I got no plans of my own
I haven't made plans for myself
Baby I live to serve
I exist to be of help to others
When I hear that beating sound
Whenever I hear music with a strong beat
You know I live to serve
It makes me want to be of service to others
Just as a blacksmith's furnace squeals
Like the sound of a blacksmith's forge when it's hot
And the rail men groan
And the sound of men working on railroads
I'm every woman's man
I am attractive to women
I hear the drums of love
I am moved by the rhythm of love
I see the dark clouds overhead
I sense danger and impending doom
Beating make me wish I was dead
The intensity of the beat makes me feel overwhelmed
I keep my eyes peeled
I remain vigilant
You build a house of light
You create a happy home
I'll learn to swim babe
I'm willing to learn new things for you
Visit you every night
I'll be with you every night
You give me shameless love
The love you give me is without inhibition
I'll show you heathen delight
I'll expose you to sinful pleasure
Out in the Pasadena sun
Under the sun of a beautiful place like Pasadena
A simple paradise
A straightforward and uncomplicated life
I'll keep my lips sealed
I'll remain silent
You just beat that drum
You carry on with what you're doing
I live to serve babe
I exist to be of help to others
I hear the drums of love
I am moved by the rhythm of love
I know the madness of love
I understand the crazy nature of love
Bring a madman's reward
The consequences of love are sometimes extreme
See me live by the beat
I live my life in rhythm
Now watch me die by its sword
The intensity of love can also lead to destruction
I serve anyone
I am willing to be of help to everyone
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ramonathewaitress
God damn, Eliza’s bass playing is CRIMINALLY underrated.
@christinehahn2771
Rewatching Wonderland, and this was played.
@michaelavis2992
lovin the smooth grove
@AydeArvizo
OMFG Love the sound n lyrics…
@DaZOMGfilms
how did this not get in the hottest 100 or the hottest 200? It's ridiculous
@BrickWiz
Loving the analogy.
@MillieHall1
Great song
@BRIDGETNESS
Can't wait to hear this live!! September 28th can't come fast enough.
@Casadeldisco
Out this Friday!
@matto9701
This is baby making music right here.