Snailhouse is an ongoing collection of songs by Montreal based artist Mike … Read Full Bio ↴Snailhouse is an ongoing collection of songs by Montreal based artist Mike Feuerstack. Half singer-songwriter, half experimental guitar player – Feuerstack is in love with words and music and how they play together. Over the course of 5 albums and an EP, Snailhouse has earned a very loyal following all over the underground music world.

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.

Salvation Army
Snailhouse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What did you call me when I was your fool?
To lovers and others; hearts true and untrue
And what did you think when you first took me home?
To hell with the graces; chew the meat from the bones

Go on then, make me your friend
Don't think that you won't be lied to

Hopping the border and playing both sides
Jumping the turnstiles and crossing the line
I ironed my shirt and I tied my own tie
I love all the trouble I'm sleeping beside

So go on then, make me your friend
Don't think that you won't be lied to

Go on, tell everybody
You woke up with everything gone
Years at the salvation army
Won't bring it back
Don't leave me stranded
Don't leave me hangin' on

Go on then, make me your friend
Don't think that you won't be lied to

Overall Meaning

In "Salvation Army (In Four)" by Snailhouse, the singer is describing a dysfunctional relationship. The first verse asks the former lover what they thought of him when they first brought him home - suggesting he was used for some ulterior motive. The singer seems to find pleasure in the chaos of this relationship, perhaps because it alleviates monotony in his life. The chorus pleads for the former lover not to leave or abandon them, even though they know they will likely be betrayed again. The second verse continues to describe the singer's reckless behavior, engaging in risky or illegal behavior.

The song title "Salvation Army (In Four)" refers to the charity organization, which is known for accepting donations of used items, often sold in thrift stores to underprivileged communities. This may suggest that the singer has fallen on hard times, or is searching for something he cannot find in his current lifestyle. The song combines upbeat and even joyful melody with melancholy and bittersweet lyrics. The lyrics seem to suggest that the singer is aware of the personal cost of his choices, but is unable to break free from them.

Line by Line Meaning

What did you call me when I was your fool?
What did you think of me when I blindly followed you?

To lovers and others; hearts true and untrue
To those in love and those who pretend to be in love.

And what did you think when you first took me home?
What did you feel when you first brought me to your house?

To hell with the graces; chew the meat from the bones
Forget about being courteous, let's just get straight to the point.

Go on then, make me your friend
If you want to be friends, show it.

Don't think that you won't be lied to
Don't expect honesty all the time.

Hopping the border and playing both sides
Breaking the rules and taking advantage of situation.

Jumping the turnstiles and crossing the line
Ignoring the boundaries and going over the limit.

I ironed my shirt and I tied my own tie
I got ready for the day by myself.

I love all the trouble I'm sleeping beside
I am drawn to the danger and the problems.

Go on then, make me your friend
If you want to be friends, show it.