Pavement, a band started by Malkmus post-Ectoslavia, pre-New York, at this point began to gain attention. This attention resulted in a record deal and a constant inferiority plague placed upon the 'Joos with Berman totally at the forefront of the group. Misinformed music fans now saw the band as a side-project and, even worse, Berman as being not good enough to play with Pavement, many band members being shared between the two bands.
The connection to Malkmus and the now blossoming Pavement was not all negative, however. Drag City, then not the bastion of American folk music it is today, agreed to release the band's debut EPs which has led to a fruitful relationship (the label continues to release the band's records, right up to album number 7 in 2008, (Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea).
The Silver Jews in their later days primarily consisted of David and Cassie Berman who contributed most of the lyrics, and a changing cast of characters. They had numerous indie stars in a rotating line up, including Willie T. of Lambchop, and Brian Kotzer of Tim Chad and Sherry.
David Berman is also a poet and has been published in numerous poetry magazines and journals. He also has a book of poetry and rants entitled "Actual Air," which was released in 1999 and received favorable reviews from The New Yorker and GQ.
On the 22nd of January, 2009, David Berman announced on the Drag City messageboard that their show on the 31st of January in Tennessee would be their last. "Can't be like all the careerists doncha know. I'm forty two and I know what to do. I'm a writer, see? I always said we would stop before we got bad." After 10 years off, Berman reappeared in 2019 as Purple Mountains.
David Berman died from suicide on August 22, 2019 after a long battle with depression.
Tide to the Ocean
Silver Jews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A million chuckers never felt wrong
Looking at you, I'm a staring
Looking how you make me feel good now
Broken like you know the child diction
Over at the naked show
Sarah couldn't make you feel down now
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down now
Wait, for the last man
Last man never had a chance
So he went out behind the shed
And bought himself a little cigarettes
On the ground digging for a treasure map
Find your answer
When you ask, please ask me
Ask me to stay.
Tide to the oceans
A million chuckers never felt wrong
Looking at you, I'm a staring
Looking how you make me feel good now
Broken like you know the child diction
Over at the naked show
Sarah couldn't make you feel down now
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down now
The lyrics to "Tide to the Ocean" by Silver Jews are somewhat cryptic, but they seem to be about a sense of longing and attachment to someone or something. The opening line, "Tide to the oceans," suggests a deep connection or dependency, like the ebb and flow of the tides. The reference to "a million chuckers" may be a reference to the game of jacks or the slang term for sneaker-wearing, jump-roping girls. This could represent a feeling of youth or innocence, which is juxtaposed against the more adult themes of sexuality and addiction that appear later in the song.
The line "Looking at you, I'm a staring" suggests a sense of fixation, of being entranced by someone's presence. The singer in the song feels good when they are with this person, but they also express a sense of brokenness and vulnerability with the line "Broken like you know the child diction." The term "child diction" could mean childish language or speech, or it could be a reference to the way children have a simpler, more innocent view of the world. The use of the phrase "naked show" further emphasizes this sense of vulnerability and exposure.
The song takes an unexpected turn with the lines "Wait, for the last man / Last man never had a chance / So he went out behind the shed / And bought himself a little cigarettes." This could suggest a darker undercurrent to the song, with references to addiction and possibly even suicide. However, the final lines, "Find your answer / When you ask, please ask me / Ask me to stay," seem to offer a glimmer of hope. The singer is still seeking connection and attachment, but they are also open to the possibility of finding meaning and purpose in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Tide to the oceans
The strong pull of the tides in the ocean symbolizes a powerful force that cannot be controlled.
A million chuckers never felt wrong
No matter how many times something is done, it may not necessarily be bad or wrong.
Looking at you, I'm a staring
Being captivated by something or someone and not being able to look away.
Looking how you make me feel good now
Taking pleasure in someone's presence, even if it is fleeting or temporary.
Broken like you know the child diction
Feeling emotionally damaged or hurt, like a child who has not yet learned to express themselves properly.
Over at the naked show
Being vulnerable or exposed in a public manner, like being naked at a show or performance.
Sarah couldn't make you feel down now
Even if something or someone, like Sarah, were to bring you down, you feel strong enough to withstand it now.
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down now
Sinking emotionally or mentally, feeling overwhelmed by one's current situation.
Wait, for the last man
Holding out hope for someone who may seem like the last chance at happiness or success.
Last man never had a chance
Even the last chance may not be enough to guarantee success or happiness.
So he went out behind the shed
Retreating to a private or isolated place to reflect or make decisions.
And bought himself a little cigarettes
Indulging in a small pleasure or comfort during difficult times.
On the ground digging for a treasure map
Searching for direction or guidance during a time of uncertainty.
Find your answer
Finding a solution to a problem or question that has been plaguing you.
When you ask, please ask me
Inviting someone to seek advice or guidance from you when they need it.
Ask me to stay
Pleading with someone not to leave, either physically or emotionally.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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