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/
The Waiting Room
Sixpence None the Richer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beat the fate walls enclosing you maybe
God will unlock the cage of learning for you.
Fight 'til your fists bleed baby.
Kick and scream at the wicked things maybe
God will unlock the door you need to walk through.
When will it happen baby?
It could be near but then maybe it could be far.
Here we are in the waiting room of the world.
We will wait until you call our name out loud,
In the waiting room of the world.
We will wait until you call our name out loud.
And the battle will never end well.
You can't marry our heaven to your hell.
We, Prolific, and you, the Devourer, need to see
Some things are sacred, baby.
Why have you gone and trampled them lately?
I guess it's just all a part of your way.
You should be ashamed.
I'm getting tired of fighting.
I guess I should ask, "Do I go quietly down?
Do I kick, do I scream when I'm bound?
Are you coming to open the door? Are you near?
Are you near? Is it far?"
Here we are in the waiting room of the world.
We will wait until you call our name out loud,
In the waiting room of the world.
We will wait until you call our name out loud.
The lyrics of Sixpence None the Richer's song "The Waiting Room" convey the idea of fighting against the obstacles that limit personal growth and progress. The singer encourages the listener to fight until their fists bleed and to kick and scream against the wicked things that prevent them from learning and growing. She suggests that if they continue fighting, God will eventually unlock the doors they need to walk through. The song conveys a sense of uncertainty, as the singer acknowledges that they don't know when this will happen – it could be near, but it could also be far.
The chorus of the song frames this struggle as taking place in a waiting room – a space where people wait for something to happen, where time seems to stand still. The waiting room can be a metaphor for life, a place where we wait for things to change, to get better, to find purpose. The singer suggests that we will wait until God calls our name out loud, a moment when everything will suddenly make sense, and we will know what to do.
The second half of the song takes a turn, as the singer addresses someone else – referred to as "you," who is portrayed as a devourer, someone who tramples on sacred things. The singer suggests that there are some things in life that are sacred, that cannot be crossed or violated. She questions why "you" have gone and trampled on them lately, and suggests that this is just part of "your" way. There is a sense of frustration and weariness in the singer's voice as she wonders if it's time to stop fighting and to accept what's happening, or if she should continue resisting and hoping for a breakthrough.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Waiting Room" convey a sense of struggle and uncertainty, but also a sense of hope and faith that something will change eventually. The waiting room can be a metaphor for life, a space where we need to keep fighting against the things that limit us, while also recognizing the things that are sacred and cannot be violated.
Line by Line Meaning
Fight 'til your fists bleed baby.
Don't give up easily, keep fighting until you have no strength left.
Beat the fate walls enclosing you maybe
Try to overcome the destiny that's holding you back, it may work.
God will unlock the cage of learning for you.
When you fight hard and don't give up, God may help you to learn and grow.
Kick and scream at the wicked things maybe
Fight against the evil and unjust things that happen to you, it may help.
God will unlock the door you need to walk through.
When you fight against difficult situations, God may open a new opportunity for you to move forward.
When will it happen baby?
Wondering when your efforts will pay off and you'll see the result.
It could be near but then maybe it could be far.
There's no telling when exactly things will work out, it could be soon or it could take a while.
Here we are in the waiting room of the world.
Feeling like life is on hold and waiting for something to happen.
We will wait until you call our name out loud,
Waiting for a sign or opportunity to move forward.
And the battle will never end well.
The outcome of the fight may not be ideal or positive.
You can't marry our heaven to your hell.
Two opposing things cannot coexist or work together.
We, Prolific, and you, the Devourer, need to see
Both sides need to come to an understanding to move forward.
Some things are sacred, baby.
Certain things are important and should not be taken lightly or disregarded.
Why have you gone and trampled them lately?
Wondering why someone has disregarded or mistreated something important.
I guess it's just all a part of your way.
It seems like that person has a habit of disregarding important things.
You should be ashamed.
That person should feel regretful or guilty for their actions.
I'm getting tired of fighting.
Feeling exhausted and drained from constantly putting in effort to make progress.
I guess I should ask, "Do I go quietly down?
Wondering whether to give up without a fight and quietly accept an unfavorable outcome.
Do I kick, do I scream when I'm bound?
Wondering whether to keep fighting against the situation even when it seems hopeless.
Are you coming to open the door? Are you near?
Wondering if a new opportunity or positive change is coming soon.
Are you near? Is it far?
Continuing to wonder about the timing of a positive change or opportunity.
Here we are in the waiting room of the world.
Feeling like life is on hold and waiting for something to happen.
We will wait until you call our name out loud,
Waiting for a sign or opportunity to move forward.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS DONOHUE, MATTHEW PRESTON SLOCUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind