Massachusetts-born Pernice had begun his recording career in the country-rock Scud Mountain Boys. He left the band, and most of its country music trappings, to pursue pure pop.
The Pernice Brothers also included Joe's brother Bob Pernice on guitar (hence the name), Peyton Pinkerton (guitar), Mike Deming (piano), bassist Thom Monahan, and Aaron Sperske on drums.
The band's first release was 1998's Overcome By Happiness. They have since recorded four more studio albums: The World Won't End (2001); Yours, Mine & Ours (2003), Discover A Lovelier You (2005), and Live A Little (2006). They released a live album, Nobody's Watching/Nobody's Listening in 2004. Pernice has also made two solo outings, one under the name Chappaquiddick Skyline.
Their music is distinguished by Pernice's silky, breathy vocals, reminiscent of Colin Blunstone or Nick Drake. He cites many musical influences: Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr, as well as Jimmy Webb, The Carpenters, and The Bee Gees. The deceptive simplicity, seductive melodies and soaring choruses of his songs also attract comparisons with the Beach Boys, Big Star, The Hollies and The Zombies. Yet the band can as easily sound like The Cure or New Order.
Pernice is also a fine lyricist (he has a master's degree in creative writing). His songwords show that Pernice can not only tackle difficult and offbeat subjects, but that he has a Morrissey-esque dark sense of humour too.
How to Live Alone
Pernice Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Simple things you never share
So you don't decide and everything is temporary
A life without the benefit of tears
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
Let me let go
Keep a foot out of the blacker end
Keep away the crush of years
But we prayed too hard and everything was ordinary
A life without the bitterness of years
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
Let me let go
I need to love someone
Be forgotten
Be forgotten
How to live alone, a still and simple life
How to live alone while everyone's
Da, da, da, da... da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da... da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da... da, da, da, da
Da, da, da, da...
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
Let me let go
I need to love
Da, da, da, da
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
I'm holding on
The lyrics of "How to Live Alone" by the Pernice Brothers convey a sense of longing and isolation. The opening lines suggest that the singer is fragile and easily blown away by a simple breeze, implying a lack of stability in their life. They also mention "simple things" that they never share, perhaps alluding to a fear of vulnerability or a reluctance to connect with others. The line "So you don't decide and everything is temporary" suggests a sense of powerlessness or a lack of agency in one's life.
The chorus begins with the repeated line "I'm holding on," which implies that the singer is struggling to maintain some kind of grasp on their life or their emotions. However, they also express a need to "let go" and love someone, which suggests a yearning for connection and intimacy despite their fear or reluctance to share "simple things."
The second verse continues these themes, with the singer urging themselves to "keep a foot out of the blacker end" and avoid the crushing weight of years. However, they also acknowledge that "we prayed too hard and everything was ordinary," suggesting that their attempts to avoid pain or difficulty may have resulted in a life lacking in depth or meaning. The final lines of the song, "Be forgotten / Be forgotten," suggest a fear of insignificance or a desire to escape the weight of one's own existence.
Overall, "How to Live Alone" is a poignant reflection on the difficulties of navigating life and relationships, and the complex emotions that can arise from a desire for both independence and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Simple breeze and you might blow away
You feel fragile and afraid that even the slightest wind might break you apart.
Simple things you never share
You keep your emotions hidden and don't let anyone into your life.
So you don't decide and everything is temporary
You avoid making decisions and live life like it's just a temporary phase.
A life without the benefit of tears
You refuse to let yourself cry, even though it might help you feel better.
I'm holding on
You're trying to hold onto your fears and insecurities, instead of facing them head-on.
Let me let go
You realize that you need to let go of your fears and emotions to move on with your life.
I need to love someone
You understand that you need to let someone into your life to experience love and happiness.
Keep a foot out of the blacker end
You're scared of what might happen if you take a risk or make a decision that could potentially lead to something negative.
Keep away the crush of years
You're trying to avoid aging and the responsibilities that come with it.
But we prayed too hard and everything was ordinary
Despite your best efforts, things turned out just as expected and mundane.
A life without the bitterness of years
You’re refusing to embrace the wisdom and experiences that come with aging and the bitterness that comes with it.
Be forgotten
You fear being forgotten and left behind by those around you.
How to live alone, a still and simple life
You're searching for a way to live independently without the complications of complex relationships and decisions.
While everyone's Da, da, da, da... da, da, da, da
Others around you seem to be living their lives without the same fears and insecurities that you have.
I'm holding on
You're desperately clinging to the life you've constructed around yourself, even though it's not truly fulfilling.
Contributed by Emma L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.