Since then the side-project has recorded (using a variety of lineups) six full length albums, several singles, and two movie soundtracks. In 1994, McCaughan released his first Portastatic album I Hope Your Heart Is Not Brittle; followed in 1995 by a second album, Slow Note from a Sinking Ship, and the "Scrapbook" EP. The Nature of Sap appeared in 1997, and the moniker emerged again with 2000's EP "De Mel, De Melao", which paid homage to classic Brazilian artists like Caetano Veloso and Arnaldo Baptista. In 2001, McCaughan returned with Looking for Leonard, the score to a film written and directed by Superchunk fans Matt Bissonette and Steven Clark.
The full-length Summer of the Shark was released in 2003, followed closely by its partner EP "Autumn Was A Lark", which was also made full-length by including acoustic versions of older songs. 2005's Bright Ideas was Portastatic's first album that did not contain a single track recorded on a Portastudio. McCaughan's most recent commercial album under the Portastatic moniker was Be Still Please, released in 2006. However, in 2008 Merge Records released a limited edition collection entitled Some Small History that contained previously unreleased tracks, tracks only on EPs, B-sides, and rarities.
baby blue
Portastatic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I kept you waiting there too long, my love
All that time without a word
I didn't know you'd think that I'd forget
Or I'd regret
The special love I had for you
My baby blue
Did you really think I'd do you wrong
Dixie, when I let you go
I thought you'd realize that I would know
I would show
The special love I have for you
My baby blue
What can I do, what can I say
'Cept I want you by my side
How can I show you, show me the way
Don't you know the times I've tried
I guess that's all I have to say
'Cept the feeling just grows stronger every day
Just one thing before I go
Take good care, and baby, let me know
Let it grow
The special love you have for me
My Dixie dear
The lyrics to Portastatic's song Baby Blue are a heartfelt expression of regret and longing from one lover to another. The singer admits that they kept their partner waiting for too long without a word, and didn't realize that their absence would cause them to question their love. They express their deep affection for their partner and a desire to make things right. The chorus continues to emphasize the special love they have for their "baby blue," hoping that their partner will understand and reciprocate their feelings.
The second verse adds more depth to the situation, as the singer reflects on the time they spent apart and whether or not their partner had doubts about their intentions. They name their partner "Dixie," perhaps as a term of endearment or to signify a connection to a Southern heritage, and express surprise that they didn't realize the depth of their love. The singer offers to show their special love in any way possible, but seems unsure of how to proceed or how to convince their partner that they are sincere.
In the final verse, the singer seems to accept that they have said all they can say, but still hopes for a positive outcome. They express a wish to be reunited with their partner and for their special love to grow stronger. The final line, "Take good care, and baby, let me know," highlights the singer's vulnerability and need for reassurance, as they acknowledge that they are not in control of the situation.
Overall, the lyrics to Baby Blue are a poignant portrayal of a lover's desire to make amends and find forgiveness. The repeated references to special love and baby blue create a sense of intimacy and tenderness, even as the singer acknowledges their past mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Guess I got what I deserved
I know I'm facing the effects of my actions
I kept you waiting there too long, my love
I realize I made you wait too long without any communication
All that time without a word
I know I didn't contact you for a long time
I didn't know you'd think that I'd forget
I didn't realize you'd believe I could forget about you
Or I'd regret
Or that I would regret not staying in contact with you
The special love I had for you
The deep love I felt for you
My baby blue
My sweet, beloved partner
All the days became so long
The days without you felt endless
Did you really think I'd do you wrong
Did you truly believe I would hurt you?
Dixie, when I let you go
When I chose to leave you behind, Dixie,
I thought you'd realize that I would know
I hoped you would understand that I knew what I was doing
I would show
I would demonstrate
The special love I have for you
My deep, enduring love for you
My baby blue
My beloved partner
What can I do, what can I say
What actions or words could I offer
'Cept I want you by my side
To express my desire to be with you
How can I show you, show me the way
How can I demonstrate my love for you and also help you feel safe to love me?
Don't you know the times I've tried
Do you not understand how much I've attempted to make things right between us?
I guess that's all I have to say
I suppose that's the extent of what I can express
'Cept the feeling just grows stronger every day
Except for the fact that my love for you strengthens with each passing day
Just one thing before I go
One final request before I leave
Take good care, and baby, let me know
Please take good care of yourself, and keep me updated, beloved
Let it grow
Allow our love to grow and flourish
The special love you have for me
Your enduring love for me
My Dixie dear
My beloved Dixie
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.