Zach Smith is noted for his unique style of bass-playing, as he combines strumming (the most prevalent of his techniques), popping, and slapping. He uses an Alembic Stanley Clarke bass and is currently working on a solo project entitled Systems Officer. Smith tends to write most of the instrumental parts of Pinback's songs while Rob Crow's forte is lyric-writing. At their concerts, they are known for giving away limited edition tour EPs. Both feel strongly about keeping their music in the independent scene, free from excessive media attention and corporate pressures that could affect the band's original sound.
Messenger
Pinback Lyrics
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I run legal documents and war plans
I'm with a girl who's stationed far from here but
the letters that I carry go past there
oo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo oo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
I would be shot on sight if I showed my face
I begged her see me in ( see me up )
I begged her see me in
they're coming this morning ( see me up )
but this window won't open ( see me up )
I'm running out of time
I'm running out of time (oo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo)
oo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo oo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Watch the city burn tonight
(oo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo oo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo)
The lyrics to this song describe a messenger who is delivering legal documents and war plans for the city he lives in. He is accompanied by a girl who is stationed far away, and the letters that he carries pass by her. He is carrying plans to attack her base, but he knows that he would be shot on sight if he showed his face. He begs her to see him, but the window won't open, and he is running out of time. The song ends with the line "watch the city burn tonight," indicating that the messenger's plans have succeeded.
The lyrics of this song illustrate a sense of urgency and danger. The messenger is risking his life to deliver these documents and plans, and he knows the consequences if he's caught. The mention of the girl stationed far away adds a layer of emotional complexity to the situation. He appears to be conflicted about his role and the impact it may have on the girl he cares for. The final line of the song suggests that the mission is successful, but it's unclear what the outcome may be for the messenger and the city he serves.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a messenger for the city I live in
I run legal documents and war plans for my city.
I'm with a girl who's stationed far from here but the letters that I carry go past there
I have a long distance relationship with a girl in another city, but the messages I carry go even further than that.
I would be shot on sight if I showed my face, tonight I carry plans to attack her base
My job is dangerous, I must hide my identity because I carry secret plans to attack my girlfriend's outpost tonight.
I begged her see me in (see me up), they're coming this morning (see me up), but this window won't open (see me up)
I begged my girlfriend to see me in person, but the window won't budge even though they're coming to attack soon.
I'm running out of time
Time is running out, and I have to deliver the documents as soon as possible.
Watch the city burn tonight
The city is going to burn down tonight because of the attack plans that I am carrying.
Contributed by Chase W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.