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

Tug
Seven Mary Three Lyrics

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Little miss runs away.
Didn't think you would ever come back.
As I turned my head.
I find my newest complication.
She won't run.
Won't fall.
She don't talk to.
Anyone at all.

Am I your sleepless dream?
Can I whisper soft advice?
Am I the wind rush through the trees?
Turning leaves of observation.
She won't run.
And won't fall.
She don't talk to.
Anyone at all.
River rushes towards.
A south city left behind.
The Tug is moving at a walking pace.
Slithering up her spine.
I won't run.
I won't fall.

I don't talk to.
Anyone at all.

Overall Meaning

The song "Tug" by Seven Mary Three speaks about a woman who has been running away from something and has finally returned. The singer sings that he never thought she would come back, but when he turns his head, she becomes his newest complication. The woman is described as guarded and closed off, refusing to engage with anyone around her. The singer wonders if he is someone with whom she can feel comfortable enough to let her guard down. He asks if he can be her sleepless dream and whisper soft advice, or be like the wind rustling through the trees and observing her.

The song uses the metaphor of a river, which represents the force of life, continuing to flow towards a city left behind. The Tug, a type of boat that can carry multiple barges together, is moving at a walking pace, slowly making its way up the woman's spine. The singer affirms that he won't run, won't fall, and doesn't talk to anyone at all, perhaps indicating that he understands her guarded ways.

Overall, the song expresses the complexities of relationships and the struggles of connecting with someone who is guarded and closed off. The lyrics use a variety of metaphors to convey the singer's feelings towards the woman and his desire to connect with her.

Line by Line Meaning

Little miss runs away.
A young woman has fled from her current situation.

Didn't think you would ever come back.
The singer did not expect the woman to return.

As I turned my head.
The singer notices something as they look away.

I find my newest complication.
The woman has returned and is now a potential issue for the artist.

She won't run.
The woman is not going to flee again.

Won't fall.
The woman is strong and determined.

She don't talk to.
The woman is introverted and doesn't engage with others.

Anyone at all.
She doesn't interact with anyone, not even the artist.

Am I your sleepless dream?
The artist questions if they are the woman's desire or obsession.

Can I whisper soft advice?
The artist wants to provide guidance or comfort to the woman.

Am I the wind rush through the trees?
The singer wonders if they are the force that moves and influences the woman's life.