History
Lisa O'Neill and Emma Anderson met via a mutual friend in mid-1997, and in early 1998 record their first demo as Sing-Sing, with Justin Welch of Elastica on drums. A second demo prompted Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie to release "Feels Like Summer" as a single on their Bella Union label in October 1998.
After having a track on a split single in 1999, they started their own label, Aerial, through which they released their next two singles, "I'll Be" and a re-recorded "Feels Like Summer", in 2000. They signed with Alan McGee's Poptones label for the release of their debut album, The Joy of Sing-Sing, in October 2001. It was described as a "divine first album" by Allmusic and a "strong debut album" by PopMatters. Pitchfork Media gave it a 7.4 rating, with Nitsuh Abebe calling it a "tight, interesting, and great-sounding pop record". CMJ New Music Monthly called it "a perfect soundtrack to a lazy afternoon in the countryside". It was released in the US in 2002 by Manifesto Records.
They toured the United States twice in 2002 taking in both SXSW in Austin and CMJ in New York. To raise funds to record a second album they sold the Madame Sing-Sing EP via their website. Second album Sing-Sing and I followed in 2005, and was again well received by critics. Caroline Sullivan, reviewing it for The Guardian gave it 3 stars out of 5, while PopMatters gave it 6 out of 10.
Both the band's albums were produced by O'Neill's former colleague in Locust, Mark Van Hoen, but they also collaborated with the Mad Professor (remixed "I'll Be" in a lovers rock style), Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins, cellist and string-arranger Audrey Riley, Poppy Gonzalez, former pianist Mojave 3, piano, keys, castanets, Tim Keegan (Departure Lounge vocalist) and 4AD artist Vinny Miller.
Live musicians for touring included 'Shifty' a.k.a. Michael Scrivens (bass), Poppy Gonzalez (piano,keys, percussion, backing vocals), Miguel Morland (drums 1998–2000), Jenny Jones (trumpet and keyboards), Darren Groucutt (drums 2000–2002), and Dominic del Torto (guitarist and backing vocalist 2005–2006).
At the end of December 2007, they announced via their mailing list and website that they had decided to disband.
Lover
Sing-Sing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lover, you're a passive thing
Lover, you're the state I'm in
Lover, lover
Lover, you're a mannequin
Lover, you're my mandolin
Lover, you're just everything
Forsake my armoury
Fasten my jewellery
Cast-off my mortal disguise
I am your quandary
I'm with you constantly
You are my arms and my eyes
Lover, you're a painless sting
Lover, you're a passive thing
Lover, you're the state I'm in
Lover, lover
Lover, you're a mannequin
Lover, you're my mandolin
Lover, you're just everything
Lover, lover
Counter my harmony
Layer your charm on me
You are my every day prize
You are my royalty
You've earned my loyalty
You own my mind and my thighs
Lover, you're a painless sting
Lover, you're a passive thing
Lover, you're the state I'm in
Lover, lover
Lover, you're my mandolin
Lover, you're so challenging
Lover, you're just everything
Lover, lover, lover
The lyrics to Sing-Sing's song "Lover" are a fascinating exploration of a romantic relationship. The singer addresses their lover directly, describing them as a "painless sting" and a "passive thing." These seemingly contradictory descriptions suggest a complex dynamic between the two individuals. The singer seems to be drawn to their lover's contradictory nature, finding them both challenging and all-encompassing.
The singer also describes their lover as a "mannequin" and a "mandolin," perhaps suggesting that the lover is both an object of beauty and a source of music and inspiration. The singer is clearly enamored with their lover and finds them to be alluring and irresistible.
The song continues with the singer speaking of forsaking their "armory" and fastening their "jewelry," suggesting that they are letting go of their defenses and allowing themselves to be vulnerable to their lover. The singer also describes their lover as a "quandary," suggesting that they are constantly challenging and mysterious. Despite this, the singer remains devoted to their lover, stating that they are with them constantly.
Overall, the lyrics to "Lover" are a deeply insightful exploration of the complexities of romantic relationships. The singer's descriptions of their lover are both contradictory and all-encompassing, suggesting that the connection between the two individuals is intense and complex.
Line by Line Meaning
Lover, you're a painless sting
You bring pleasure to my life without any negative consequences, like how a sting can hurt but you do not
Lover, you're a passive thing
You do not take a lot of action or initiative in our relationship, but I still love you
Lover, you're the state I'm in
Being with you is my current emotional state or condition, and it feels amazing
Lover, lover
I love you, my lover
Lover, you're a mannequin
You are like a lifeless doll to me, beautiful but not expressive or dynamic
Lover, you're my mandolin
You are my constant source of beautiful music and joy in my life
Lover, you're just everything
You are the most important and valuable thing in my life
Forsake my armoury
I will abandon my defenses and be vulnerable with you
Fasten my jewellery
I will adorn myself with beautiful things to please and impress you, my love
Cast-off my mortal disguise
I will remove all pretenses and reveal my true self to you, my beloved
I am your quandary
I am your confusing puzzle or problem, but you still choose to love me
I'm with you constantly
I am always by your side and dedicated to our love
You are my arms and my eyes
You are my physical and emotional support, and you help me see the world in a better way
Counter my harmony
Challenge my ways and views, and help me grow
Layer your charm on me
Enchant me with your magnetism and charisma, my dear
You are my every day prize
I cherish and honor you every single day like a valuable possession or reward
You are my royalty
You are like a queen or king to me, deserving of all my respect and devotion
You've earned my loyalty
Your love and dedication have convinced me to pledge my unwavering allegiance to you, my love
You own my mind and my thighs
You have complete control over my thoughts and my physical desires, my beloved
Lover, you're so challenging
You are not always easy to deal with or understand, but I still treasure you
Lover, lover, lover
I love you so much, my darling
Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.