Their first break came shortly after forming when basist Chris Vinson's newly formed website company was featured on CBC's CityBeat, who's first client was the band itself. By the end of 1998 the band had an independent video on rotation at MusiquePlus(French equivalent to Canada's MuchMusic). After obtaining a government grant, the band self-produced and recorded "Alice's Wonderland", a song that helped "break" the group. Their biggest break though, came through winning Montreal's CHOM FM L'Esprit contest back in 1999. Winning the contest landed them music equipment, recording time and 500 manufactured CDs.
In 2001 Rubberman released their self-titled album, on Donald Tarlton's (a.k.a Donald K. Donald) Aquarius records and was produced by Glen Robinson (Tea Party, David Byrne, Voivod, Tori Amos). Their first single "More Than I Can Chew" remained within the top 10 on Montreal's CHOM FM Top 20 Album Countdown for 11 weeks while the video received heavy airplay on MusiquePlus.
The Band later parted ways, Jonas (http://www.jonas-music.com/) pursued a successful solo career having recorded two albums, self titled (2004) and Suite Life (2006). The only other member known to having pursued their music aspirations is Keith Pun, who now plays for a band called "Playing with Diana" (http://playingwithdiana.com/) .
These Lies
Rubberman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The room was filled and empty
You were there
Let's be fulfilled and steady
Let's build on that first smile
That smile held so unsteady
Never promised you
Ready was when I was ready
You
Confide
Combined
Relied
Watch you as you
Read these eyes
As you read these lies
Run away from...
Maybe I'm not cut out to be
This man who stands here
In boy's clothes and boy's dreams
I've been smoke and fears
Shed my lights through prisms of your tears
Never promised you
Steady was when I was ready
In Rubberman's song "These Lies," the lyrics seem to explore the complexities of a relationship. The first stanza mentions being in the same room but feeling both filled and empty, and the desire to create a steady and fulfilling connection based on an initial smile. The second stanza appears to address a feeling of inadequacy in the singer's role in the relationship, referencing boyishness and fear. The chorus repeats the phrase "read these lies" possibly suggesting that the singer is aware of their own insecurities and uncertainties and how they may affect the relationship.
The song's lyrics seem to express difficulties in communication and vulnerability in a relationship. The use of repetition in the chorus may reflect the cyclical nature of these issues. The lines "Never promised you / Ready was when I was ready" and "Never promised you / Steady was when I was ready" may signify the importance of being honest about one's own readiness and stability before committing to a relationship. The song's title "These Lies" may suggest that the singer acknowledges their own flaws and struggles but intends to be truthful in their communication.
Line by Line Meaning
You were there
The person the song is directed towards was present in a particular room or situation
The room was filled and empty
Despite being in a room with a lot of people or things, it felt empty because the intended person wasn't romantically available
Let's be fulfilled and steady
The singer wants to pursue a relationship with the intended person that is both satisfying and stable
Let's build on that first smile
The singer wants to form a deep connection with the intended person by starting from the first smile they shared
That smile held so unsteady
Even though the intended person smiled, they were uncertain and hesitant about how they felt
Never promised you
The singer did not make any promises to the intended person
Ready was when I was ready
The singer will only be ready for a relationship when they are truly prepared for it
You
The intended person who the singer is addressing in the song
Confide
The singer wants the intended person to trust and confide in them
Combined
The singer wants to build a connection with the intended person that is greater than just themselves
Relied
The singer wants the intended person to depend on them emotionally
Watch you as you
The singer vigilantly observes the intended person
Read these eyes
The singer can decipher the intended person's emotions and desires through their eyes
As you read these lies
The singer acknowledges that they have been dishonest with their own feelings and the intended person
Run away from...
The singer is fearful that the intended person will leave them if they declare their true emotions
Maybe I'm not cut out to be
The singer is unsure if they have what it takes to be what the intended person needs and wants
This man who stands here
The singer is questioning if they are mature enough to be a true partner to the intended person
In boy's clothes and boy's dreams
The singer admits that they have yet to fully mature emotionally and mentally
I've been smoke and fears
The singer has been consumed by their own anxieties and insecurities
Shed my lights through prisms of your tears
The singer's emotions and feelings become more focused and clear when they see their intended person cry
Steady was when I was ready
The singer will only commit to the intended person when they feel completely certain and prepared for a relationship
Contributed by Sarah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.