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

Zeroes & Ones
Seven Mary Three Lyrics

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She talks to her television.
Changing channels with her mind.
When this new world turns politic,
she just slips in between their sighs.
And we talk when the talking is good.
Saying over and over.
Maybe we should run.
While the running is run down.

I know forgiveness tastes like dry salt in your mouth.
I temper all the alcohol with names that I don't say out loud.
There's a cloud that hangs around my house.
Electric signals, zeroes and ones.
They accompany the Headline News with hairpin turns and domestic bombs.
And I look when the looking is good.
But I can't ever uncover.
All the faces I turned away slowly turned into one another.
I have made my decision to hang around inside.
But I can't get to the places that I want to go from where I hide.
Believe the path is round.
Over and over.

A peaceful underground.
Hiding from the numbers.
Believe in living cells.
I know you're heavy bored.
Belief in peace invents a man with a heart of gold.
Peace don't betray me now.
I'll find you out, in the empty corners of a restless mind.
I have made my illusions bend.
I bury them when I shut my eyes.
I would hold hands, if holding was good.
If it could hold us together.
Zeroes and ones, zeroes and ones.
Yes, your name's become a number.
I have made my decision to hang around inside.

But I can't get to the places that I want to go from where I hide.
No, I'll never find the places that I want to go from where I hide.

Overall Meaning

The song "Zeroes & Ones" by Seven Mary Three touches upon themes such as communication, technology, politics, and the search for meaning in the modern world. The first verse talks about a person who uses their television as a means of escape and control - changing channels with their mind, slipping in between political debates and agendas. The second verse describes the singer's struggle to make sense of the world around them, amidst the barrage of information and news they receive through electronic signals. Despite their efforts at self-reflection and introspection, they find it difficult to connect with others and form deep, lasting relationships.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Believe the path is round/Over and over/A peaceful underground/Hiding from the numbers," which can be interpreted as a call to embrace alternative ways of thinking and living, outside of mainstream society. The final verse ends on a note of resignation, as the singer admits to hiding away from their desired destinations and dreams - unable to break free from their own self-imposed limitations.

Overall, "Zeroes & Ones" is a haunting, introspective song that delves into the complexities of modern life and the struggle to find meaningful connections in a world dominated by technology and media.

Line by Line Meaning

She talks to her television.
She channels her mind through the TV and communicates with it.

Changing channels with her mind.
She has the ability to switch channels with her thoughts.

When this new world turns politic, she just slips in between their sighs.
In times of political turmoil, she avoids the commotion by staying in the middle.

And we talk when the talking is good. Saying over and over. Maybe we should run. While the running is run down.
We discuss our plans of escape when the opportunity arises.

I know forgiveness tastes like dry salt in your mouth.
Forgiveness can be a difficult thing to process and accept.

I temper all the alcohol with names that I don't say out loud.
I try to control my inner demons by not giving them voice.

There's a cloud that hangs around my house.
My mind is clouded with worries and doubts.

Electric signals, zeroes and ones. They accompany the Headline News with hairpin turns and domestic bombs.
The media bombards us with digital information that often includes violence and distressing news.

And I look when the looking is good. But I can't ever uncover.
I try to uncover the truth when I have the chance, but it is always just out of reach.

All the faces I turned away slowly turned into one another.
I regret not being able to connect with people, and now their faces blur together as a result.

I have made my decision to hang around inside. But I can't get to the places that I want to go from where I hide.
I have chosen to stay in my comfort zone, but I cannot achieve my goals without stepping outside of it.

Believe the path is round. Over and over.
I try to persuade myself that there is a way forward, but the thought repeats endlessly.

A peaceful underground. Hiding from the numbers.
I seek solace in a quiet, isolated space, away from society's pressures and expectations.

Believe in living cells. I know you're heavy bored.
I hold on to the hope that life will improve, even though the present feels tiresome and difficult.

Belief in peace invents a man with a heart of gold. Peace don't betray me now.
I believe that peace can bring out the best in people, and I hope that it will not let me down.

I'll find you out, in the empty corners of a restless mind.
I will search for peace in the quiet spaces of my thoughts, where there is no turmoil.

I have made my illusions bend. I bury them when I shut my eyes.
I try to alter my perceptions and let go of fantasies that are holding me back.

I would hold hands, if holding was good. If it could hold us together.
I wish that human connection was always the answer to our problems.

Zeroes and ones, zeroes and ones. Yes, your name's become a number.
We are reduced to data in a digital world, and our identities are only represented by numbers.

No, I'll never find the places that I want to go from where I hide.
I know that staying in my comfort zone will not lead me to the places that I truly want to go in life.

Lyrics © WRENSONG PUBLISHING CORP.
Written by: JASON ROSS, KEVIN YATES MCKENDREE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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