Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to … Read Full Bio ↴Within the alternative world, Seven Mary Three have often been compared to the mainstream-sounding, garage/arena rock of post-Ten Pearl Jam, but the group insists that their refusal to alienate themselves from the rest of the world makes them different. Instead, Seven Mary Three offer songs concerning self-discovery and true outsiders isolated from society. Based in Virginia (where the bandmates attended the College of William and Mary), Seven Mary Three signed to the Mammoth label after releasing a self-produced album, Churn, in 1994. The album -- particularly its gritty lead single, "Cumbersome" -- generated a healthy buzz in Florida, and radio stations in Orlando began devoting significant airtime to the band. Seven Mary Three relocated to the Orlando area and re-recorded their old songs, which were packaged alongside two new cuts to round out the band's proper debut, 1995's American Standard. With "Cumbersome" enjoying national success, the album went platinum and won the group a contract with Atlantic Records. Rock Crown followed in 1997, and a year later Seven Mary Three returned with their third LP, Orange Ave. Neither record enjoyed as much recognition as American Standard, but the band continued to release albums into the following decade, issuing The Economy of Sound in 2001 and Dis/Location three years later. Seven Mary Three signed with New York's Icon Records in late 2007, and the following year saw the release of their sixth effort, DAY&NIGHTDRIVING. Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Southwestern State
Seven Mary Three Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Been draggin' this mask
All over town
With my face still in it
No one saw that I did it

Things they've done to me
You would never believe
Believe me they're true

Things I've had to do

To get next to you
I need a straight-away ticket
To a southwestern state
Have I broke all the rules that I've made?

Been draggin' this past
All over town
With my life still in it
Every single minute

Things I've done to me
You would never believe
Believe me they're true
Things I've had to do

To get next to you
I need a straight-away ticket

To a southwestern state
Have I broke all the rules that I've made?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Seven Mary Three's song Southwestern State are full of pain, regret, and longing. The singer is burdened by his past mistakes, dragging them around with him wherever he goes, but hiding them behind a mask so that no one can see the true pain that he's carrying. The things that have happened to him are unthinkable, but he has done them all to get closer to someone that he cares deeply about. There is a sense of desperation in his voice, as he wonders whether he has broken all the rules that he's made in order to achieve this goal.

The imagery in the song is very vivid, with the singer describing his past and present as being intertwined with one another. He can't escape the memory of what he's done or who he used to be, but he longs for a new beginning somewhere far away from where he is now. He needs a "straight-away ticket to a southwestern state" in order to leave everything behind and start over fresh. The song is a powerful exploration of the human condition, and the ways in which we try to escape our own pain and regret.

Line by Line Meaning

Been draggin' this mask
I've been hiding my true self from everyone

All over town
Everywhere I go

With my face still in it
Still wearing the mask

No one saw that I did it
No one noticed my facade

Things they've done to me
The bad experiences I've had

You would never believe
They're incredibly unbelievable

Believe me they're true
But they actually happened

Things I've had to do
The actions I've taken to survive

To get next to you
To be close to someone I desire

I need a straight-away ticket
I need to leave quickly

To a southwestern state
To a place far away