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.
Tripoli
Pinback Lyrics
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Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there
Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there
(No one would believe me, and no one cared to check it out.)
(Ah eh yeah)
Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there
(No one would believe me, and no one cared to check it out.)
You know what's gonna happen.
You know what's gonna happen.
He's gonna go down and he's gonna come back again.
You know what's gonna happen.
You know what's gonna happen.
He's gonna go down and he's gonna come back again.
Sad I'm gonna die.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
Sad I'm gonna die.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there (Ah eh yeah)
Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there (Ah eh yeah)
You know what's gonna happen.
You know what's gonna happen.
He's gonna go down and he's gonna come back again.
You know what's gonna happen.
You know what's gonna happen.
He's gonna go down and he's gonna come back again.
Sad I'm gonna die.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
Sad I'm gonna die.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
They'll tie me up and send me off to set me off on someone's lawn.
They'll tie me up and send me off to set me off on someone's lawn.
Sad I'm gonna die.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
Sad I'm gonna die.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
Sad I'm gonna die.
(Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there)
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
Sad I'm gonna die.
(Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there)
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
The lyrics of Pinback's "Tripoli" are open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is that it's a song about promises, death, and the fear of being forgotten. The first part of the song repeats the line "Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there" four times, with the added line "No one would believe me, and no one cared to check it out" after each repetition. This suggests that the singer made a promise that was not believed or followed through on, leading to feelings of abandonment and isolation.
The next section of the song repeats the ominous-sounding line "You know what's gonna happen" along with the assurance that "he's gonna go down and he's gonna come back again." This section is repeated twice, and it's unclear who "he" might be, but it could be a reference to death, with the singer acknowledging the inevitability of their own mortality.
The final section of the song repeats the lines "Sad I'm gonna die/Hope it's gonna happen later than I think" three times, with a new line added: "They'll tie me up and send me off to set me off on someone's lawn." This suggests a fear of being forgotten or discarded after death, as if the singer is being treated like trash.
Overall, "Tripoli" is a somewhat cryptic song that touches on themes of isolation, mortality, and the fear of being forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there
I made a promise to you, but no one believed me or took me seriously.
Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there
I made a promise to you, but no one believed me or took me seriously.
You know what's gonna happen.
The singer knows the outcome of a certain event.
You know what's gonna happen.
The artist knows the outcome of a certain event.
He's gonna go down and he's gonna come back again.
The person in question will face a challenge but will ultimately prevail.
He's gonna go down and he's gonna come back again.
The person in question will face a challenge but will ultimately prevail.
Sad I'm gonna die.
The singer is acknowledging their own mortality.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
The artist wants to delay their inevitable death.
Sad I'm gonna die.
The artist is acknowledging their own mortality.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
The artist wants to delay their inevitable death.
They'll tie me up and send me off to set me off on someone's lawn.
The singer fears being restrained and left in a vulnerable position.
Sad I'm gonna die.
The artist is acknowledging their own mortality.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
The singer wants to delay their inevitable death.
Sad I'm gonna die.
The singer is acknowledging their own mortality.
Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there
I made a promise to you, but no one believed me or took me seriously.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
The artist wants to delay their inevitable death.
Sad I'm gonna die.
The artist is acknowledging their own mortality.
Did I forget that I said to you that I'd be there
I made a promise to you, but no one believed me or took me seriously.
Hope it's gonna happen later than I think.
The singer wants to delay their inevitable death.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Rob Crow, Chris Prescott, Zach Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind