They recorded a demo (which now circulates as 'The Original Demos') and eventually an album, 'The Fatherless and the Widow' for R.E.X. Records in 1993. The record featured Chris Dodds (of Slocum's band Love Coma) on drums. Shortly after the release of the album, Slocum left Love Coma to pursue Sixpence full time. The band added Tess Wiley (guitar), J.J. Plasencio (bass) and Dale Baker (drums) for 1995's 'This Beautiful Mess'. Both albums, with featured the group's early explicit Christian contemporary music sound, were produced by Armand John Petri.
In 1997, the group signed to Steve Taylor's Squint Entertainment and prepared for the release of a self-titled album, with their work slowly began garnering attention from a wider audience. In 1999, "Kiss Me" was released as a single, propelling Sixpence into the national pop spotlight. This song was also notably used in the romantic comedy film 'She's All That'. The next year, the band recorded a cover of Britpop originators The La's "There She Goes", which became their second hit single. This recording was added to Sixpence's self-titled album, an album that received several releases, as a 13th track.
'Sixpence None the Richer', featuring a confessional, melodic sound reminiscent of contemporary power pop bands as well as the softer side of earlier classic rock groups, provided both a critical and commercial breakthrough for the band. The group, made up then of Leigh Nash with Dale Baker, Matt Slocum, Sean Kelly, and Justin Cary, had both "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes" as top 40 hits receiving lasting airplay, and the parent album took the #1 slot on Billboard's 'Top Contemporary Christian' chart. In terms of the group's religiously inspired melodies and lyrics, they had evolved to even more of a subtle, emotionally minded focus based on personal storytelling rather than proselytizing.
The band had a follow up album ready to release, but Squint Entertainment started to fall apart. Though leaving the band in limbo for several years, they still toured to an enthusiastic fan-base. Finally, Squint Entertainment was taken over by Word Records, allowing Sixpence None the Richer to record the album 'Divine Discontent', which was released in October of 2002. It differed significantly from the first pre-release version of the album that had circulated, with five songs removed and six added, but still received some positive critical reviews.
On February 26, 2004, Matt Slocum announced via a letter to CCM Magazine that the group had disbanded. That same year, Best of was released, which also collected some of the Divine Discontent outtakes, and tracks from compilations.
Matt Slocum has started a new band, the Astronaut Pushers which released their debut EP in 2005. He has also recorded and performed with the seminal ambient rock group Hammock. Leigh Nash released her debut Solo Album Blue on Blue on 15 August 2006 on her personal label, One Son Records. The first single, My Idea of Heaven, was released to USA radio the week of 14 July 2006.
In November 2007, Sixpence None the Richer reunited. The band has released a new EP, entitled My Dear Machine, with tour dates planned throughout 2008 in the States and Europe. In October 2008, they released their first Christmas album entitled, The Dawn of Grace.
Website: http://www.sixpencehq.com/
I Can't Catch You
Sixpence None the Richer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What if you go away? I've seen it before
I've been here before.
If I have to love myself tell me how to love myself.
What's there to love about myself?
I just wasn't to see that as a person you want me.
But I'm feeling the pain of all these bags in the way
And I'm thinking you're just gonna run away
I guess I would say that I want you to stay
'Cause you have this strange knack,
Adds a glow to my black as you chase it all away.
And I hope that you can see I will someday leave these things.
I am waiting to be free.
But I'm feeling the pain of all these bags in the way,
And I'm thinking you're just gonna run away,
And I can't catch you.
Oh, I want to catch you.
The lyrics of "I Can't Catch You" by Sixpence None the Richer explore feelings of vulnerability and fear that come with the possibility of losing someone important. The singer is faced with a fear of abandonment, having seen it happen in the past. She wants to love herself, but struggles with finding things to love about herself. She hopes that the person she cares about will want her for who she is. She has emotional baggage that is weighing her down and preventing her from fully committing to the person she cares about.
The singer is conflicted between wanting the person to stay and fearing that they will leave. She recognizes that the other person brings light into her life and helps chase away the darkness, but she is still held back by the heavy emotional baggage that she carries. Ultimately, she wants to catch the person she cares about, but feels like she can't.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess you could say I'm a little afraid
Admitting to feeling scared and unsure of what will happen.
What if you go away? I've seen it before
Worried that the person will leave, based on previous experiences.
I've been here before.
Having gone through this situation previously and feeling a sense of familiarity.
If I have to love myself tell me how to love myself.
Requesting guidance on how to practice self-love and acceptance.
What's there to love about myself?
Feeling unsure about one's positive qualities or characteristics.
I just wasn't to see that as a person you want me.
Seeking validation and confirmation of the other person's feelings.
But I'm feeling the pain of all these bags in the way
Referencing emotional baggage or past traumas hindering the current relationship.
And I'm thinking you're just gonna run away
Feeling anxious that the other person will leave or reject them.
And I can't catch you.
Feeling helpless or powerless in the situation.
I guess I would say that I want you to stay
Expressing a desire for the other person to remain in the relationship.
'Cause you have this strange knack,
Appreciating the positive qualities of the other person.
Adds a glow to my black as you chase it all away.
Feeling that the other person's presence brings light and joy to their life.
And I hope that you can see I will someday leave these things.
Looking forward to overcoming past baggage or struggles.
I am waiting to be free.
Longing for a sense of liberation or relief.
Oh, I want to catch you.
Expressing a desire to hold onto the other person and not let them go.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW PRESTON SLOCUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mohd shahiran
I guess you could say I'm a little afraid
What if you go away? I've seen it before
I've been here before.
If I have to love myself tell me how to love myself.
What's there to love about myself?
I just wasn't to see that as a person you want me.
But I'm feeling the pain of all these bags in the way
And I'm thinking you're just gonna run away
And I can't catch you.
I guess I would say that I want you to stay
'Cause you have this strange knack,
Adds a glow to my black as you chase it all away.
And I hope that you can see I will someday leave these things.
I am waiting to be free.
But I'm feeling the pain of all these bags in the way,
And I'm thinking you're just gonna run away,
And I can't catch you.
Oh, I want to catch you.
Lanaya Carbonell
this song is just so mesmerizing. i could listen to this album forever, im going to start college this year...i think this album will be my college anthem. it is so chill, calm and lovely to listen to. thanks sixpence non the richer, this album needs to grow!! <3 thank you!
Joseph G
This was my college anthem 15 years ago.. glad to know that people recognize this album still
Valeria Lopez Torres
This whole album is great—and greatly underrated.
mshara1
Amazing. The most underrated song by Sixpence.
The guitar work and Leigh Nash's voice is incredible.
Chris Marchand
Yup. This song is a mini masterpiece.
Dany Lynen DanFab4
I am a guitar player and I am using this album for the sound I want when I go to Canada this year FAB!
OrangSimunjan
im agree also. music very nice included voice
Jhan
@mshara1 I totally agree with you, this song is amazing and is hardly known
shypianist
This is one of my favourite songs ever! ♥
*Jellicle*
My favorite Sixpence song (too)! Kept me sane, on repeat, rockin' out, singing and dancing like a crazy person in the car... Impossibly captures the wonderful feeling of being on the precipice between desperation and hope simultaneously.