Snailhouse’s last record, the Jeremy Gara produced Lies on the Prize was widely acclaimed (including a Polaris nomination) for its panoramic and literate musicality.
At once classic and inventive, the unique song-craft and sensibility listeners come to expect from Snailhouse takes genres both new and old and weaves them into something that can never be listened to the same way twice.
Also:
In 2008, “Do You want to Talk All Night? – A Sappy Records Tribute to Snailhouse” was released, on which many of Feuerstack’s peers and fans in other bands (among them Maritime, The Acorn and Rick White) performed versions of Snailhouse songs.
Feuerstack was also a founding member art-rock band Wooden Stars, who were awarded a Juno for best alternative album for their collaboration with Julie Doiron, titled Julie Doiron and the Wooden Stars.
Mike can also be found offering his guitar and lap steel skills to the ear bending Bell Orchestre (Juno Winners, Polaris nominees) and the heartbreaking folk of Angela Desveaux.
Snailhouse music has featured contributors as diverse and renowned as Julie Doiron, Dave Draves, Angela Desveaux, members of Arcade Fire, Wintersleep, Bell Orchestre, Maritime and The Acorn – to name a few.
Have a Good Time
Snailhouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like have a great time.
It's like breathing into my pillow.
If you notice anything out of the daily drama.
Confetti and the streamers cascade,
Maybe it's the party talking.
Maybe.
It won't give you what you want.
It'll only make it,
So you don't want it anymore.
Suitcase with the walkman stuffed in.
Maybe it's the ticket talking,
If you notice anything out of the dirty windows.
Maybe you'll have a good time,
Maybe you'll have a great time.
Falling asleep on the shoulder of a stranger,
I don't know where you're going.
Better get there before you decide to stay,
Your options got stale.
You used to have a day job,
Now all you do is have fun.
Snailhouse's "Have a Good Time" is a reflective and contemplative song that delves into the complexities of communication and the power of words. The opening lines, "Some things are just too hard to say, like have a great time," set the tone for the song – there are feelings and sentiments that we struggle to express even though they are important. The line "It's like breathing into my pillow" speaks to the difficulty and pressure of expressing our emotions, as if we are holding them in and inevitably suffocating ourselves.
The song then explores the idea that sometimes we try to mask our emotions by using other things as a crutch. For example, the line "Maybe it's the party talking, maybe" suggests that we use external factors like parties or alcohol to create a façade of happiness and excitement, even when it's not genuine. The song warns against this approach, cautioning that trying to force happiness will only lead to disappointment.
As the song progresses, it brings up themes of travel and escape. The image of a "suitcase with the walkman stuffed in" suggests that the character is on the move, seeking something new and different. The line "Falling asleep on the shoulder of a stranger, I don't know where you're going" portrays a sense of restlessness and uncertainty, unsure of what comes next. The final lines of the song, "You used to have a day job, now all you do is have fun," underline the idea that sometimes we need to take risks and break away from what feels safe and predictable, even if it means giving up stability.
Line by Line Meaning
Some things are just too hard to say.
There are certain things that are very difficult to express verbally.
Like have a great time.
For example, saying 'have a great time' can be very hard to say.
It's like breathing into my pillow.
Expressing these difficult things can feel like you're just screaming into a void.
If you notice anything out of the daily drama.
If you happen to see anything outside of the typical routine or chaos of everyday life.
Confetti and the streamers cascade,
There could be a joyful and celebratory atmosphere around you.
Maybe it's the party talking.
Perhaps this joyous feeling is not genuine, but simply a product of the current event or environment.
Maybe.
It's possible that this party atmosphere and accompanying feeling of joy is not real or sustainable.
I want to say,
I have something important that I want to express.
It won't give you what you want.
However, what I want to say won't necessarily provide you with the desired outcome.
It'll only make it,
Instead, it may just serve to make things more complicated.
So you don't want it anymore.
This expression may make you no longer want what you're pursuing or hoping for.
Suitcase with the walkman stuffed in.
This may be accompanied by a sense of travel or movement, as represented by the suitcase and the Walkman music player inside.
Maybe it's the ticket talking,
This sense of movement and change could be due to the nature of the ticket or transportation being used.
If you notice anything out of the dirty windows.
As you travel, you may observe things outside of your usual or comfortable environment.
Maybe you'll have a good time,
It's possible that you could enjoy this experience.
Maybe you'll have a great time.
It's also possible that this experience will be truly joyful and memorable.
Falling asleep on the shoulder of a stranger,
During this journey, you may find comfort in the unfamiliar, such as resting on the shoulder of someone you don't know.
I don't know where you're going.
Despite the uncertainty and ambiguity of this experience, you may still find it worthwhile or enjoyable.
Better get there before you decide to stay,
However, it's important to recognize that this journey is temporary and transient, and you should seize any opportunities available before it ends.
Your options got stale.
This journey may be a way to break free of stagnant or unfulfilling circumstances or opportunities.
You used to have a day job,
Perhaps you had a previous life or occupation that was unsatisfying or monotonous.
Now all you do is have fun.
This journey, though uncertain, represents a departure from that old life and a newfound focus on pure enjoyment and excitement.
Contributed by Grace T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.