shortstraw started out in 2007 as a two-piece thrash folk band consisting of the enigma that is oliver nathan and what most would call 'sarcastic', alastair thomas. they played a few shows in and around melville, joburg before bringing in the guitar and keyboard skills of jay hartford and the basswork of the esteemed and handsome phil brierley. now a four-piece, slightly less folky outfit, shortstraw aim to hit the gigging circuit with guns blazing, so look out for a show near you... fuck that's boring. apologies. frankie says go fuck yourself.
Heaps Keen
Shortstraw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shortstraw
Round Town
You've been hanging round town
Round Town
Yeah you know you've been sneaking around
Coming home only when the street lights go to bed
Swinging
Branch to Branch in this jungle
But everybody's gone to sleep
Round Town
You've been hanging round town
Round Town
Yeah you know you've been sneaking around
Oh My God
I'm so future
Won't you hold my drink
While I tear shit up
But you know in the end
We just look stupid
Because it's futile
When everybody else is at work
Round Town
You've been hanging round town
Round Town
Yeah you know you've been sleeping around
The song Heaps Keen by Shortstraw is a commentary on the youthful behavior of partying and staying out late. The lyrics paint a picture of a young person who is living a very casual lifestyle, spending their evenings hanging out around town, sneaking around and generally enjoying themselves. They come home late at night, swinging from branch to branch like animals in a jungle, while the rest of the world has gone to sleep. The repetition of the phrase "Round Town" emphasizes the notion of the singer's carefree existence revolving only around the town they live in.
The second verse takes a more sarcastic tone with the line "Oh My God I'm so future, won't you hold my drink while I tear shit up". Here, the singer is poking fun at themselves and their peers who believe they are living life to the fullest by partying and being reckless. The use of the word "futile" in the last line brings a sense of finality to the song, highlighting that their behavior is empty and unproductive.
Line by Line Meaning
Round Town
The person being addressed is often seen around town.
You've been hanging round town
The person being addressed spends a considerable amount of time around town.
Yeah you know you've been sneaking around
The person being addressed is aware that they have been avoiding being seen around town.
Late nights
The person being addressed stays out late at night.
Coming home only when the street lights go to bed
The person being addressed only goes home when the street lights turn off.
Swinging
The person being addressed is behaving like a monkey.
Branch to Branch in this jungle
The person being addressed jumps around from place to place like a monkey in a jungle.
But everybody's gone to sleep
The people the person being addressed knows have gone to bed for the night.
Oh My God
This is an exclamation of surprise or shock.
I'm so future
The person being addressed is excited about the present and what's to come in the future.
Won't you hold my drink
The person being addressed is asking someone else to hold their drink while they do something else.
While I tear shit up
The person being addressed is going to cause chaos or destruction.
But you know in the end
However, ultimately...
We just look stupid
The person being addressed and their actions only make them look foolish.
Because it's futile
Because what they are doing is pointless and has no purpose.
When everybody else is at work
The people the person being addressed knows are busy working while they are not.
Yeah you know you've been sleeping around
The person being addressed is aware that they have been promiscuous.
Contributed by Hunter V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marco Oliveira
All about this lifestyle - great job! Proudly South African
thornton
its nz
Marco Oliveira
vibe in the video...
Bjorn Thomas
what are you talking about
Roxanne Henderson
Saw you guys at Sounds Wild, amazing <3 love the new song!
Ryan Challen
So much win! Congrats boys! Heaps keen for a feed, hey?!. Haha. ;)
Joshua Faleti
Amazing guitar solo.
The Millionaire Money Maker
The localness is strong with this one!!!
Leo Barnes
Jacques Nel yip RSA ALL THE WAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY
The Millionaire Money Maker
This needs more likes!!!