The band was founded by college roommates Matt Piucci (guitar, vocals) and David Roback (lead guitar, vocals) in 1981, originally as The Sidewalks. David's brother Steven Roback (bass, vocals) joined the band shortly thereafter. David and Steven had been in a band called The Unconscious with neighbor Susanna Hoffs (who went on to lead the most famous of the Paisley Underground bands, The Bangles.) The band soon added Will Glenn (keyboards and violin) and later Eddie Kalwa (drums). They self-released their debut single, "What She's Done to Your Mind" on their Llama label in 1982.
David Roback left to form a new band, Opal, the rest of the band continuing to record as a four piece, releasing the mini-LP, Explosions in the Glass Palace in 1984. After a single, "You Are My Friend", Kalwa left, his replacement being Mark Marcum, and John Thoman (guitar, vocals) was added to the line-up. The band signed to Island Records, and a live album (Beyond The Sunset) recorded in Japan, and a third album, Crashing Dream, came out in 1985.
The band split in 1986, with Piucci going on to release the LP Gone Fishin' with Tim Lee, and later joining Crazy Horse. The band reformed in 1988 to finish off a double album they had started, but it was never released. The rest of the band formed Viva Saturn. After making the album Rainy Day featuring cover versions performed by various leading lights of the Paisley Underground, David Roback formed Opal, and later Mazzy Star.
This Can't Be Today
Rain Parade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don’t go out much any more these days
didn’t care for the things you said
but they just don’t seem to leave my head
last night I saw a little girl fly
but she couldn’t look me in the eye
strained to laugh but I had to cry
I never thought I could ask her, “Why?”
it won’t go away
I only want to sleep
this can’t be today
trees they are so tall today
dreamed I climbed one anyway
seen so much more yesterday but
trees they are so tall today
if this is all a dream, please
make it go away
I only want to sleep
this can’t be today
The lyrics of Rain Parade's song "This Can't Be Today" appear to be about feeling disconnected from reality and unable to cope with the present. The first verse mentions not going out much and not enjoying the things that were said to the singer, indicating a lack of interest in the world around them. The second verse describes a surreal experience of seeing a little girl fly but being unable to communicate with her, which adds to the sense of disconnection from reality. The chorus reinforces the idea that the singer wants to escape from the present and go to sleep, hoping that what they are experiencing is simply a dream.
The third verse brings up the theme of time passing quickly and the transience of life. The trees are described as tall today, implying that time is moving quickly and things are changing. However, the singer is not able to enjoy or appreciate these changes, as they are still stuck in a state of disconnection and unease. The final chorus again emphasizes the desire for escape and for the current reality to be a dream that can be escaped from.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be about feeling disconnected and disengaged from the world and the passing of time, and the desire to escape from this feeling. The surreal imagery is used to further emphasize the sense of disconnection and unreality.
Line by Line Meaning
don’t know if it’s nice today
The singer is unsure of the current weather and could care less.
I don’t go out much any more these days
The singer has become a recluse and rarely leaves their home.
didn’t care for the things you said
The singer was not interested in what the person they're talking about was saying.
but they just don’t seem to leave my head
Despite not caring for what was said, the artist is unable to stop thinking about it.
last night I saw a little girl fly
The artist had an unusual or memorable experience involving a child.
but she couldn’t look me in the eye
Although flying, the child was avoiding direct contact with the singer.
strained to laugh but I had to cry
The singer was trying to make light of the situation but found it sad or upsetting.
I never thought I could ask her, “Why?”
Although curious, the artist does not have the courage to ask the child the reason for their behavior.
if this is all a dream, well,
The artist is questioning whether their current reality is real or not.
it won’t go away
Regardless, the current reality remains.
I only want to sleep
The singer wants to escape their reality through sleep.
this can’t be today
The artist feels like what is happening now cannot possibly be real or happening today.
trees they are so tall today
The singer is somewhat surprised by the height of the trees.
dreamed I climbed one anyway
In spite of the surprise factor, the singer had previously dreamt of climbing one of the trees.
seen so much more yesterday but
The singer has seen and experienced more in the past when compared to today.
trees they are so tall today
The artist reiterates their surprise over the height of the trees.
if this is all a dream, please
The artist continues to question whether their current reality is real or not.
make it go away
The singer wants to escape their reality through any means necessary.
Contributed by Logan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@robertoriva2758
Pasley Underground... 🖤 Roberto from Italy 🇮🇹
@markkenderdine6975
RIP, David Roback.
@anneross1021
gone but we have your music David
....thank you x
@SPXclothing
Brings back some great 80's memories.. Thanks for posting this great song.
@lambrettist2007
Played them lots on college radio, '83 and '84 were killer years for records. Back then we'd really look forward to the next indie label releases.
@chrismacdonald4570
So I grew up in the 80's.
I just learned about this band and song literally 10 minutes ago.
I have played it twice now and I am enchanted.
Feeling dismayed that I missed these guys. Hiw did that hapoen?????!!!!!!!!
@spinjennies
Timeless.
@freddyflaps
i have amazing thoughts
with open ears
@janicegeor4248
Beaut track, just discovered it via The Roses, very Beatles - Rain sounding, which is a fab thang!
@saintgeorge6706
What happened to America? You used to produce so much quality alternative music like this.