A turning point in Piebald's career came when they recorded seven tracks, and put them on the CD that came to be known as Sometimes Friends Fight. Their musical sound had greatly matured, and Travis' lyrical ability was finally brought to the forefront of the band's music. Another two seven-inches later, Piebald was ready for another metamorphosis.
Eleven tracks recorded at Salad Days became the first record to showcase Piebald's signature sound and wry jokes. Traditionally the most sought-after Piebald recording (before it was immortalized in its entirety on All Ages), When Life Hands You Lemons was considered to be Piebald's best music yet. This release furthered the lyrical style that had been growing within the band, and also showcased the first lead vocals by lead guitarist Aaron Stuart, and a piano track by Shettel.
Following If it Weren't for Venetian Blinds, It Would Be Curtains for Us All, Piebald released their most popular album to date, We Are the Only Friends We Have. It featured the single "American Hearts" which achieved a modicum of success, garnering some mention on MTV and college radio. This, together with the band's signing to respected indie label Big Wheel Recreation brought Piebald their most mainstream attention to that date. This trend was continued when the band signed to the very popular Side One Dummy label and released their next album, and when Piebald was chosen to play 2004's Warped Tour.
The following album, All Ears, All Eyes, All the Time, features noticeably improved vocals by singer Travis Shettel and continues their evolutionary progress toward the piano-driven fare they've tended towards over the last couple of releases, and features such additions as horn sections, increased use of vocal harmonies, and extremely catchy hand-claps.
Piebald's latest album, Accidental Gentleman was released in late January of 2007. Its mix of raw rock and roll and perfected lyricism, which has always set Piebald apart, shows the band at a peak for themselves and the rest of the music industry. With cover songs like the Kinks' "Strangers", front man Travis Shettel brings a whole new generation the universal truths famously broken down by the legendary Ray Davies into three minute pop songs.
Lead singer Travis Shettel has released solo recordrings under the name Totally Travis. Shettel is also a member of LA based The Was.
The band generally only tours during the summer due to lead singer Travis Shettel's day job as an elementary school teacher.
Piebald announced they would be breaking up following the end of their US tour with The Format, Limbeck, Steel Train and Reubens Accomplice. Piebald played their farewell tour in April 2008 with one stop in New York city and two in Cambridge, MA.
The Jealous Guy Blues
Piebald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will take a seat in the electric chair
It's the way the cookie crumbles and the play is always fair
I got you, I got you haven't always had you
One can only wait for the sound of the phone
And if it don't ring it doesn't mean you're not home
The knot in my stomach won't leave me alone
I'll make me numb
It haunts whether you go to or come from
I'll dig this hole of all holes for me
Poor brain, leave me alone today
I've seen how much damage I can do
I would have it any other way
No good comes from worry
If I killed it I apologize, yeah I'm feeling a bit sorry
Up in a tizzy, I'm all up in a squeeze
Need some information, yeah I'm asking with please
I can't get myself up off of my knees
I got you, I got you, haven't always had you
My head is a mess I'm breaking into a sweat
I'm not filled with organs but I'm filled with regret
Can we do it all again and pretend we just met
I got you, I got you may not always have you
I'll climb down into this hole for me
Pour dirt on myself for me
The Jealous Guy Blues by Piebald is a song about anxiousness and insecurity in a relationship. The first verse talks about the uncertainty in the relationship, indicating that just because one person cannot see something happening, it does not mean that it is not happening. The singer talks about their willingness to put themselves in the electric chair, and mentions the saying, "it's the way the cookie crumbles and the play is always fair." This line implies that the singer thinks that whatever happens in the relationship is meant to be and that fairness is always present. The singer also mentions that they have not always had their partner, indicating a sense of gratitude for the relationship.
The second verse talks about how the singer is waiting for their partner to reach out to them but is anxious that the phone will not ring. They express a feeling of discomfort in their stomach and how it won't leave them alone. The line, "I got you, I got you may not always have you," indicates the sense of insecurity that the singer is feeling despite having their partner in their life right now. The chorus talks about how the singer is feeling overwhelmed and numb. They mention how they are digging a hole and pouring dirt on themselves, indicating that they are willing to bury themselves in their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
If you can't see it doesn't mean its not there
Just because you don't see something, doesn't mean it doesn't exist
I will take a seat in the electric chair
I'd rather suffer than be untrue to myself
It's the way the cookie crumbles and the play is always fair
Things happen as they should and life is fair
I got you, I got you haven't always had you
I have you now, but I haven't always had you
One can only wait for the sound of the phone
Sometimes all you can do is wait for a call
And if it don't ring it doesn't mean you're not home
Just because you don't hear back, doesn't mean they're not there
The knot in my stomach won't leave me alone
I can't shake this feeling of anxiety and unease
I'll make me numb
I'll numb myself to avoid feeling emotional pain
It haunts whether you go to or come from
The pain follows you no matter where you go
I'll dig this hole of all holes for me
I'll make the biggest mess for myself
Poor brain, leave me alone today
I can't handle any more thinking or worrying today
I've seen how much damage I can do
I know how destructive I can be
I would have it any other way
I wouldn't change a thing
No good comes from worry
Worrying doesn't bring any positive outcomes
If I killed it I apologize, yeah I'm feeling a bit sorry
I'm sorry if I did something wrong, I'm a little remorseful
Up in a tizzy, I'm all up in a squeeze
I'm anxious and feeling trapped
Need some information, yeah I'm asking with please
I need some answers, politely requesting
I can't get myself up off of my knees
I feel helpless and defeated
My head is a mess I'm breaking into a sweat
I'm overwhelmed and anxious, breaking out in a sweat
I'm not filled with organs but I'm filled with regret
I'm not physically filled with organs, but emotionally filled with regret
Can we do it all again and pretend we just met
Can we start over and forget the past?
I got you, I got you may not always have you
I have you now, but I may not always have you
I'll climb down into this hole for me
I'll dig myself into a deeper hole
Pour dirt on myself for me
I'll bury myself, adding to the mess I've created
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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