Along with such bands as Pavement and Guided By Voices, Sebadoh helped pioneer lo-fi, a style of indie-rock characterized by low-fidelity recording techniques, often on four-track machines. The band's early output, such as Weed Forestin (1990) and III (1992), was typical of this style, and wavered between Barlow's wry, introspective folk and Gaffney's psychedelic noise-rock experiments.
Following 1993's Bubble and Scrape, Gaffney left the band. His replacement, Bob Fay, appeared on the band's most acclaimed and consistent effort, 1994's Bakesale, which saw the emergence of the songwriting talents of multi-instrumentalist Jason Loewenstein, and the follow-up Harmacy in 1996.
Fay left the band before the sessions for The Sebadoh (1999), to be replaced by Russ Pollard. Following the tour to promote this album (2000), the band went on hiatus, with Barlow concentrating on his other project, the Folk Implosion, and Loewenstein working on material for his debut solo album At Sixes and Sevens, released in 2002. The two reunited to play concerts in late 2003 and the spring of 2004.
In 2006, III was reissued with a bonus disc and expanded liner notes. In 2007, the band (reunited with Eric Gaffney) was touring.
In 2013, Defend Yourself was released followed by Act Surprised in 2019.
Discography:
* The Freed Man (1989)
* Weed Forestin' (1990)
* The Freed Weed (1990)
* III (1992)
* Rocking The Forest (1992)
* Sebadoh vs. Helmet (1990)
* Smash Your Head On The Punk Rock (1992)
* Bubble and Scrape (1993)
* 4 Song CD (1994)
* Bakesale (1994)
* Harmacy (1996)
* The Sebadoh (1999)
* Defend Yourself (2013)
* Act Surprised (2019)
Too Pure
Sebadoh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If there's a right thing to say, I'm sure I missed it by a mile
Swallowed in some detail, heavy in my blood
I wanna hold you close, but I can't lift my arms up
Is there a reason for this distance?
More than the drug that floats my days
A nervous bug in my system, it keeps me edgy and ashamed
I've got a saint, never ever will forgive
It fits when I stretch and I stretch because I can
I stretch until I'm sore and then I open up for more
I do it out of habit, not addiction
And if I give it up, clean out my blood
Will I still feel bored and disconnected?
If I do it all for love, will I ever give enough?
‘Cuz you can never be too pure or too connected
You can never be too pure or too connected
You can never be too pure
The lyrics to Sebadoh's song "Too Pure" explore feelings of disconnection and an inability to connect with others, both emotionally and physically. The singer suggests that there may be something missing in their touch, feeling like they have missed the mark in communicating with others. This feeling is exacerbated by a sense of tension and anxiety, which keeps the singer on edge and ashamed.
Furthermore, the singer admits to feeling disconnected from others due to a drug habit that serves as a coping mechanism. However, the singer questions whether giving up the drug would lead to a sense of boredom or continuing disconnection. The lyrics suggest that we can never be too pure or too connected, emphasizing the importance of emotional and physical connection and the desire to deepen relationships.
Overall, the song reflects on the challenges of interpersonal connection and the struggle to find a sense of purity or wholeness in relationships. The lyrics delve into the complexities of drug use and the ways in which it can affect our ability to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Is something missing in my touch, a tension tugging at my smile?
I wonder if there's something wrong with me that I am unable to express myself correctly.
If there's a right thing to say, I'm sure I missed it by a mile
I am not good at communication and always end up saying the wrong things.
Swallowed in some detail, heavy in my blood
I am constantly weighed down by my problems and my past experiences.
I wanna hold you close, but I can't lift my arms up
I wish to express my love to you but something is holding me back.
Is there a reason for this distance?
I am troubled by the distance between us and I do not know why it exists.
More than the drug that floats my days
My addiction to drugs is not the only thing that is keeping me away from you.
A nervous bug in my system, it keeps me edgy and ashamed
I am always anxious and embarrassed about my actions.
I've got a saint, never ever will forgive
I have someone in my life who I cannot forgive for their actions.
That never understood me but still tells me how to live
This person never understood me but still tries to dictate how I should live my life.
It fits when I stretch and I stretch because I can
I feel comfortable and powerful when I push myself to the limit and stretch beyond my boundaries.
I stretch until I'm sore and then I open up for more
I believe that pushing myself to the limit and beyond is the only way to grow.
I do it out of habit, not addiction
I am not addicted to pushing myself beyond my limits; it is something that I do out of habit.
And if I give it up, clean out my blood
If I were to stop doing this, would it change anything in my life?
Will I still feel bored and disconnected?
I fear that if I stop doing this, I will be bored and disconnected from my true self.
If I do it all for love, will I ever give enough?
Even if I am doing this out of love, it may not be enough to satisfy my need for growth and change.
‘Cuz you can never be too pure or too connected
I believe that it is important to always strive for purity and connection with oneself and others.
You can never be too pure or too connected
Purity and connection are values that will always be important to me.
You can never be too pure
Being pure and true to oneself is a value that should always be pursued.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LOUIS KNOX BARLOW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@torksendal3020
Lou Barlow - all hail this genius songwriter and guitarist/bassist
@jenslepping9609
Forgot this song for years , but today it was suddenly in my head. Thanks brain
@seanwayman635
Such beautiful melancholy.
@dk5468
The perfect song. Pure genius throughout the lyrics. If you can relate to the last verse, i feel your pain.
@tago69mago
My favourite song of all time because i get every line. Its the song i would have written if i could have put my thoughts on paper but I've got that monkey off my back and am thankful for every day but still feel bored and disconnected!
@rachelosiria7865
My brother loved this song. R.i.p Mike Manuel. Making a playlist for him 😥
@christo1
Why does this song give me shivers and choke me up? God, it's a good one.
@itsinthewaterbby
dude seriously, this song gets me like no other...agh absoulutly love it <3
@MaX1MuS2k7
<3
@beastbee0118
Your pretty