Their full-length album Broom, independently released in 2005, received good reviews from Spin Magazine and they are now signed with Polyvinyl Record Co..
Spin Magazine praised SSLYBY in an October issue, and recently, SSLYBY released a split record with Michael Holt of San Francisco cult band the Mommyheads on Catbird Records.
In February 2006, the band went on tour with Secretly Canadian band Catfish Haven.
The band's second LP, Pershing, was released in April 2008 on Polyvinyl. Its third album, Let It Sway, was released in August 2010 by Polyvinyl. A fourth album, a collection of 26 songs both new and old, is expected to be released in October 2011
Oceanographer
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He talks to other girls
The map topographer
He's in his own world
The court stenographer
He copies everything
The news photographer
He's not listening
You're into me
You'll always be
Way in too deep
He'll only be
The oceanographer
He can't really swim
Yeah, it's personal
Don't know where you think you fit it
The court stenographer
He don't love any more
The news photographer
He's done all this before
I capsized
Serene eyes
We're in too deep
He'll only be
The oceanographer
He talks to other girls
The map topographer
He's in his own world
The court stenographer
He copies everything
The news photographer
He's not listening
The lyrics of the song Oceanographer by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin touch on the themes of human emotions and relationships through its use of metaphors. The song talks about four different types of people - the oceanographer, the map topographer, the court stenographer, and the news photographer - who are all at different stages in their life and relationships. The oceanographer, who is the main focus of the song, is someone who talks to other girls and cannot really swim, suggesting that he is not fully invested in the relationship. The map topographer is in his own world, indicating that he is not interested in the relationship at all. The court stenographer copies everything, implying that he is not genuine in his emotions. The news photographer is not listening, highlighting the lack of communication in the relationship.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "we're in too deep" which suggests that the singer is aware that they have become too attached or invested in the relationship, while the oceanographer may not be. The line "he'll only be" repeated suggests that the singer knows that the oceanographers' behavior will not change and is merely accepting that fact.
Line by Line Meaning
The oceanographer
This person studies the ocean and its creatures.
He talks to other girls
He's not faithful to one person and flirts with other girls.
The map topographer
This person makes maps and charts of the landscape.
He's in his own world
He's focused on his work and not really present in his relationships.
The court stenographer
This person records everything that's said during a court trial.
He copies everything
He's not really paying attention, just copying down what he hears.
The news photographer
This person takes photos of events and newsworthy situations.
He's not listening
He's too focused on getting the perfect photo and not really present in the moment.
You're into me
Someone is interested in the singer and likes them.
You'll always be
This person will always have feelings for the singer.
Way in too deep
The singer is emotionally invested in this situation beyond what they wanted.
He'll only be
He won't be invested in the same way, it's a one-sided relationship.
The oceanographer
This person studies the ocean and its creatures.
He can't really swim
Despite being an oceanographer, he's not skilled at the actual act of swimming.
Yeah, it's personal
This is a personal issue for the singer.
Don't know where you think you fit it
The singer is uncertain where this person fits into their life or emotions.
The court stenographer
This person records everything that's said during a court trial.
He don't love any more
He's fallen out of love with the person he was once committed to.
The news photographer
This person takes photos of events and newsworthy situations.
He's done all this before
He's repeated this pattern of behavior in previous relationships.
I capsized
The singer feels overwhelmed in this situation.
Serene eyes
The person the singer is attracted to has calm and peaceful eyes.
We're in too deep
Both parties have become emotionally invested beyond their initial intentions.
He'll only be
He won't be invested in the same way, it's a one-sided relationship.
The oceanographer
This person studies the ocean and its creatures.
He talks to other girls
He's not faithful to one person and flirts with other girls.
The map topographer
This person makes maps and charts of the landscape.
He's in his own world
He's focused on his work and not really present in his relationships.
The court stenographer
This person records everything that's said during a court trial.
He copies everything
He's not really paying attention, just copying down what he hears.
The news photographer
This person takes photos of events and newsworthy situations.
He's not listening
He's too focused on getting the perfect photo and not really present in the moment.
Contributed by Brooklyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.