shortstraw play music. music that sounds like puppies being born. music tha… Read Full Bio ↴shortstraw play music. music that sounds like puppies being born. music that sounds like protestors outside an abortion clinic. music that sounds like church bells ringing on a crisp sunday morning. music that sounds like angels playing scrabble. music that sounds like a married couple fighting through the thin wall of your apartment. now doesn't that sound nice?

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.

The Less We're Together
Shortstraw Lyrics

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Its not about the words that you wrote
Its about the way that you read them
And that's the problem with youth these days
You can't read tone in a text message

We argue over everything I say
Its like we argue every single day
But, oh, how I miss it

I miss how your snores keep me up at night, oh
But boy, blood is insisted
Heaven sounds like every stupid fight

Its not about the words that you said
Its about the way that you said them
And even fools that fell its true
Keep face to apologize and solve the problem

We argue over everything I say
Its like we argue every single day
But, oh, how I miss it
I miss how your snore keep me up at night, oh
But boy, blood insisted
Heaven sounds like every stupid fight

But, oh, how I miss it
I miss how your snores keep me up at night, oh
But boy, blood insisted
Heaven sounds like every stupid fight

You look better and better
The less we're together
You look better and better
The less we're together
You look better and better
The less we're together

You look better and better
The less we're together

Overall Meaning

The song "The Less We're Together" by Shortstraw reflects the modern communication issue that people face today, where emotions can't be interpreted correctly through messages, creating conflicts that can escalate easily. The song's first verse emphasizes this problem by stating that it's not about the words we write, it's about how they're read. Young people, who use texting as their primary communication medium, struggle to interpret emotions correctly when communicating through text messages. Thus, this creates confusion and misunderstandings, leading to unneeded arguments that can escalate quickly.

The second verse reflects on how words are said and the importance of how they're delivered. It's not just about the message being conveyed, but the emotion carried behind it. Even if someone is wrong, if they deliver their apology with sincerity, it can solve the issue at hand. The chorus reflects on how the arguments happen every day but despite that, the singer still misses the moments they shared with their significant other, even the moments when they snore at night.

The repeated phrase "You look better and better the less we're together" is a kind of irony because the intended message is that the author feels freer and better off without their companion. The choice of words can have two distinct meanings, either the person appears better looking the less time they spend together, or that the author feels better because of the separation. The line can be thought-provoking, and it encourages the listeners to consider their own relationships and the effects that long-term distance or separation might have.

Line by Line Meaning

Its not about the words that you wrote
The meaning of your words is determined by the tone in which they are read, not simply the words themselves.

Its about the way that you read them
The interpretation of a message depends largely on how it is presented.

And that's the problem with youth these days
Young people tend to rely too heavily on text messages and other written communication, which lacks the nuances of in-person conversation.

You can't read tone in a text message
Written communication is often stripped of the tone and context that would make it clear in a face-to-face conversation.

Its not about the words that you said
The specific words you used are less important than the way in which they were spoken.

Its about the way that you said them
The delivery and tone of a message can completely change its interpretation and effect on the listener.

And even fools that fell its true
Even people who are not particularly insightful can sense the importance of tone in communication.

Keep face to apologize and solve the problem
In order to avoid conflict and fix misunderstandings, it is important to humble oneself and apologize when necessary.

But, oh, how I miss it
Despite the difficulties, I still feel nostalgic for our relationship and the things we shared together.

I miss how your snores keep me up at night, oh
Even the things that might annoy me in the moment can be sources of comfort and familiarity when I look back on them.

But boy, blood insisted
Despite my emotional attachment to the past, there are still reasons why it is better for us to be apart.

Heaven sounds like every stupid fight
Even though we had many disagreements, I can still remember the good times with rose-colored glasses.

You look better and better
The farther we are apart, the more attractive you become to me.

The less we're together
Ironically, despite my nostalgia for our relationship, I may be recognizing that it is for the best that we are not together.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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