Stronger
Sometimes simpler is better, which is definitely the case with Lou Barlow's… Read Full Bio ↴Sometimes simpler is better, which is definitely the case with Lou Barlow's lo-fi project, Sentridoh. Barlow (bassist for Dinosaur Jr. and creative force behind Sebadoh) developed Sentridoh as a solo project in 1993 so that he could pursue a stripped-down acoustic form of the music that he had performed with Sebadoh. Sentridoh's first single, Losercore/Really Insane, was also the very first record put out by Steve Shelley's Smells Like Records, setting the tone for that label's support of artists who were stretching their personal boundaries. That single and the albums that followed, like Little Brother's Mysterious Sentridoh EP, also released in 1993, and two albums released in 1995, Losing Losers (Shrimper) and Lou Barlow and His Acoustic Sentridoh (Smells Like Records), highlighted Barlow's expert songwriting and heartbreaking lyrics, backed only by guitar and, occasionally, a small handful of other instruments. Free Sentridoh Songs From Loobiecore, a new collection of tracks from all over Sentridoh's career (including new recordings) was released in 2002.

Stronger
Sentridoh Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My friend of the eager tender
I wish we could share everything
Just a little more attention
Feels so good but never mention why
Why, why
Curse the burning need within me
To turn on all I've learned to go down me
Reaching as you turn away
Leave the question hanging over me
I don't believe in waiting any longer
Giving in can only make me stronger
Fear
Pit of my desire
Question my free will
Question my desire
Fear
Lying still right here
Wondering what we'll heed
Hoping it don't hurt me




Don't believe in waiting any longer
Giving in can only make you stronger

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sentridoh's song "Stronger" seem to speak to the complexity and often frustrating nature of relationships. The opening lines speak to a desire for a deeper connection with someone, but also the tension that exists. The singer wishes they could share everything with their friend but acknowledges that there's a certain amount of attention they crave that's never really spoken about. The use of repetition in the chorus ("why, why") implies that this need for attention is perplexing and perhaps even frustrating to the singer.


However, the song takes a bit of a turn in the second verse, where the singer seems to be grappling with internal desires that are at odds with what they've learned. The line "curse the burning need within me / to turn on all I've learned to go down me" could be interpreted in a few different ways, but it implies an inner conflict between what the singer feels and what they've been taught to believe. The theme of questioning is also present in the lines "question my free will / question my desire," and the use of the word "fear" throughout the song also seems to contribute to this idea of uncertainty.


In the end, though, the singer seems to come to a conclusion - "don't believe in waiting any longer / giving in can only make you stronger." It's unclear who the "you" is in this context - the singer themselves or the person they're singing to - but either way, there's a sense that they're ready to take action and move forward in some way. The song doesn't necessarily provide any concrete answers or resolutions, but it does capture a feeling of restlessness and dissatisfaction in a relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

My friend of the eager tender
Addressing a close friend who is gentle and kind


I wish we could share everything
Desire to have complete openness and honesty in the friendship


Just a little more attention
Desire for more affection and acknowledgement from the friend


Feels so good but never mention why
Enjoying the attention but hesitant to express why it is meaningful


Why, why
Repeating the question of why the attention is so important


Curse the burning need within me
Feeling frustrated with the intense desire for the friend's attention


To turn on all I've learned to go down me
Being willing to sacrifice values and principles to satisfy the desire for attention


Reaching as you turn away
Trying to connect with the friend but being rejected


Leave the question hanging over me
Uncertainty and confusion about the friend's feelings towards the artist


I don't believe in waiting any longer
No longer willing to be patient and wait for a response or change in the friendship


Giving in can only make me stronger
Being willing to take a risk and pursue what is desired, even if it brings pain or discomfort


Fear
Acknowledging the presence of fear or uncertainty about the situation


Pit of my desire
Describing the intensity and depth of the singer's longing


Question my free will
Doubting the ability to make independent choices regarding the situation


Question my desire
Reflecting on whether the desire is truly worth pursuing


Lying still right here
Stuck in a state of inaction and contemplation


Wondering what we'll heed
Uncertainty about the future of the friendship and what actions will be taken


Hoping it don't hurt me
Fearing the potential pain or rejection that could result from pursuing the desire


Don't believe in waiting any longer
Repeating the desire to take action and not wait any longer


Giving in can only make you stronger
Repeating the idea that taking a risk and pursuing what is desired is a source of strength




Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@mpuch

This is THE lo-fi song for me! LB is GOAT-lo-fi

@TheZonedaydreamer

WOW! VERY COOL!!!

@mazzacake

yes :)

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