The lineup: Zac, Matt, Adam, Shon and Adam.
The lineup: Zac, Matt, Adam, Shon and Adam.
Let’s get this out of the way up top: no, Solid Gold is not a syndicated top 40 countdown show which aired from 1980 to 1988 featuring the Solid Gold Dancers. But I could see the Solid Gold Dancers doing a fine routine to a couple of Solid Gold’s numbers—maybe the slinky “Bible Thumper,” or the dreamier “Who You Gonna Run To?”
Now that we’ve cleared that up, here’s the deal: Solid Gold is a band with the ability to compel you to Shake. Your. Ass. After meeting in 2000 at the University of Wisconsin, Zach Coulter and Matthew Locher founded the band along some shared fundamental principles: love of futuristic art and architecture, and an obsession with the old-school doob. After their drummer left, they continued on, crafting tranced-out slow-dance grooves. Lifting guitarist extraordinaire, Adam Hurlburt, from one of their favorite bands proved itself to be excellent. In 2005 they left Madison and the haze of smoke behind, relocating to Minneapolis. Lost and confused in a new city, the three found that they still agreed on three things 1) they enjoy guitar licks 2) they enjoy fucked up old keyboards 3) they enjoy synthed-out hip-hop beats.
With that in mind, it’s kind of weird that they didn’t find a drummer for a couple of years, but they’ve recently corrected that problem, augmenting their laptop-full of special effects with Sticks, a real live human metronome. Finally, they filled out their sound with a shamanistic slide guitar player, Shon Troth, who may or may not be a real live human.
Thus situated, Zach, Adam, and Matt reconnoitered in the studio to put the finishing touches on their years-in-the-making debut record, Bodies of Water. Full of songs about breaking up and running away, there is a penumbra of heart wrench lingering over Bodies of Water that belies the ironic Duran Duran-esque superficiality of their band name (and the flat plasticine whap of their beats).
The stories are familiar, breaking up and figuring it out on your own—but Coulter's lyricism vacates narrative possibility, refusing to go forward in any kind of linear development, instead relying on that beat and washes of keyboard and guitar to swirl around repetitive phrasing and imagery. “I’m not a good storyteller,” he says, before adding, “I don’t want to force it.” His songs are suggestions, but oftentimes suggestions recall mood and emotion and memory more powerfully than stories.
Solid Gold has been on the road for a couple years now, performing showcases in London and New York, playing festivals in the middle of Texas and the middle of Sweden, and enjoying triumphant hometown returns every time they make it back to Minneapolis. Who knows, maybe Solid Gold will find a slot on a Top 40 countdown show yet.
Just Like Everyone Else
Solid Gold Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep your fucking mouth shut
Keep your hands to yourself
You ain't got nothing to prove
So where you going now
You're all by yourself
Give me a fucking break
Just like everyone else
Before you leave
Keep your eyes on the trees
Before you leave
Keep your head above the sea
So where you going now?
You're all by yourself
Give me a fucking break
Just like everyone else
Tell me what does it feel like
Run your hand on a sharp knife
Taking your hands from the wheel
The car you left running behind
So where you going now?
You're all by yourself
Give me a fucking break
Just like everyone else
Before you leave
Get your head out in the breeze
Before you leave
Take your heart off your sleeve
So where you going now?
You're all by yourself
Give me a fucking break
Just like everyone else
It seems that the lyrics of Solid Gold's song "Just Like Everyone Else" revolve around the theme of self-discovery and independence. The first verse tells us to keep our mouth shut and hands to ourselves, implying that we should focus and work on ourselves instead of seeking validation or attention from other people. The line "ripping your heart out" may signify the painful process of self-exploration and discovery, which can be both fulfilling and painful at the same time. The chorus emphasizes the importance of self-care before leaving, as it is easy for one to get lost in the chaos of the world without a solid foundation.
The second verse is directed to someone who seems lost and is leaving, urging them to keep their head above the sea and eyes on the trees - this could be symbolic for not losing sight of one's values and goals, while also being aware of one's surroundings. The line "tell me what does it feel like, run your hand on a sharp knife" may represent the risk and pain that come along with taking control of one's life, but also the potential rewards that await. Finally, the last part of the song seems to emphasize the importance of self-discovery and independence, as it is something that everyone should experience and go through.
Line by Line Meaning
Ripping your heart out
Feeling intense emotional pain and distress
Keep your fucking mouth shut
Avoid speaking words that may offend or harm others
Keep your hands to yourself
Avoid physically hurting or harming others
You ain't got nothing to prove
You do not need to impress or prove anything to anyone
So where you going now
Asking where someone is heading to or what they plan to do next
You're all by yourself
Being alone without anyone else to accompany or assist
Give me a fucking break
Asking for a pause or a moment of rest from a stressful or tiring situation
Just like everyone else
Feeling similar to others and not being unique or special
Before you leave
Prior to your departure or exit
Keep your eyes on the trees
Pay attention and stay focused on the present surroundings
Keep your head above the sea
Stay afloat and keep from being overwhelmed by difficulties or challenges
Get your head out in the breeze
Take a moment to enjoy fresh air and clear your mind
Take your heart off your sleeve
Not showing emotions too openly or being too exposed to potential hurts or criticism
Tell me what does it feel like
Asking for someone's personal experience or feeling towards something
Run your hand on a sharp knife
Testing or experiencing something dangerous or risky
Taking your hands from the wheel
Losing control or direction of a situation
The car you left running behind
Leaving something important behind without realizing or caring about the consequences
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.