After the breakup of Trip Shakespeare, Dan Wilson and John Munson joined up with drummer Jacob "Jake" Slichter to form Semisonic in 1995. An E.P., Pleasure, was released that year, and their first studio full-length release, Great Divide, followed in 1996 on MCA. Although they drew a cult following among 90s powerpop fans, mainstream success eluded the group.
Semisonic's breakthrough came two years later in 1998 when their sophomore effort, Feeling Strangely Fine, reached the Top 50 chart on the strength of the hit single "Closing Time". Their international career also blossomed when another song from the album, "Secret Smile," quickly became a U.K. radio favourite in the summer of 1999, eventually peaking at #13 on the official U.K. Singles Chart.
In early 2001, the band released its third album, All About Chemistry. The single "Chemistry" was a mainstay overseas; however, the album didn't fare as well in the United States. Another song, "Over My Head," was used in the 2001 teen movie Summer Catch, and Semisonic rode the wave of various tours in and around the U.K. In the fall of 2001, Semisonic contributed their cover of the Wings classic, "Jet," for the Paul McCartney tribute CD, Listen to What the Man Said.
Semisonic has been mostly on hiatus since 2001. Band members have since pursued other projects, such as Slichter's writing career and Wilson's solo recordings They performed for the first time in years on July 14, 2006 for the Minneapolis Aquatennial. They have also been spotted performing for private parties in basements. Dan Wilson's talented songwriting has lead to massively popular collaborations with Adele and other artists.
* The song "F.N.T." was used in the 1996 movie The Long Kiss Goodnight.
* "F.N.T." was also used in the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate about You.
* "Never You Mind" appeared on the Never Been Kissed soundtrack in 1999.
* "Chemistry" appeared on the 40 Days and 40 Nights soundtrack in 2002.
The Gift
Semisonic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Memory so pretty I can hardly say
You thought I was sleeping as you walked to the street
You gave what you wanted then you went away
Did you mean what you did
Would you give it again
What you gave as a gift
I went on a mission to the town where you lived
Dark, dusty places you've not seen in awhile
I want to seek the basements where you hid
I want to see your face as a little child
Did you mean what you did
Would you give it again
What you gave as a gift
The lyrics to Semisonic's "The Gift" delve into the complexities of relationships and the lingering feelings that remain even after they have ended. The opening lines capture the sense of longing and desire that the singer feels for their lost love. Despite the pain of separation, they cannot help but hold onto the "pretty" memories of their time together.
The second stanza reflects the singer's determination to understand their past love's motivations and actions. They embark on a journey to the town where their former partner lived, seeking out the hidden places and forgotten memories that shaped them. The final lines of the song reflect a longing to understand the true nature of the "gift" that was given by their former partner. Was it an act of true love, a desperate plea for attention, or something else entirely?
Overall, "The Gift" offers a bittersweet perspective on love and loss. The lyrics highlight the powerful emotions that can emerge from even the briefest of relationships and the difficulties that can arise when trying to understand the motivations and actions of others.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a hurting desire strong and sweet
The feeling of longing is intense and bittersweet
Memory so pretty I can hardly say
The memory is so beautiful that words cannot do it justice
You thought I was sleeping as you walked to the street
You believed I was asleep when you left
You gave what you wanted then you went away
You offered what you desired and then departed
Did you mean what you did
Are your actions genuine?
Would you give it again
Would you repeat the same actions?
What you gave as a gift
The offering you bestowed
I went on a mission to the town where you lived
I voyaged to the place of your residence
Dark, dusty places you've not seen in awhile
Neglected and somber locations you've not encountered recently
I want to seek the basements where you hid
I yearn to explore the hidden depths you once concealed in
I want to see your face as a little child
I desire to witness your youthful visage
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL DODD WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
yo mama
on F.N.T.
wow i cant stop listening to this