Soul Coughing,was founded by vocalist and guitarist Mike Doughty (who billed himself at the time as 'M. Doughty'), a folk singer, slam poet, and music writer.
Doughty was a doorman at the old Knitting Factory on Houston Street in New York. While working there he met sampler artist Mark De Gli Antoni, upright bass player Sebastian Steinberg, drummer Yuval Gabay, and artist David Linton. Doughty convinced them to join him in forming a new band. They played their first gig, as 'M. Doughty's Soul Coughing' at the Knitting Factory on June 15, 1992, a late-Monday night slot that Doughty cadged from his boss because nobody else wanted it. In 1993, he founded a club night called SLAW at CBGB's 313 Gallery, which was meant to emulate the popular jazz and hip hop club Giant Step, but eventually became a showcase for Soul Coughing. Posters for SLAW were headlined 'Deep Slacker Jazz' (a parody of The Who's slogan 'Maximum R&B'), which became an enduring description of the band's sound.
The band was signed within a year to Warner Brothers subsidiary Slash Records, and released three albums: Ruby Vroom (1994), Irresistible Bliss (1996), and El Oso (1998). They enjoyed minor hit singles with "Circles," "Super Bon Bon," and "Screenwriter's Blues."
The band broke up in 2000, after years of feuding over songwriting credits and publishing money. Doughty continued as a solo artist, and Gabay, Steinberg, and De Gli Antoni have been involved with other projects including a trio disc sans Doughty in 2004.
I Miss The Girl
Soul Coughing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shining like a new mint quarter
Shining like the Franklin Mint
Seedy like the lampshade quarter
Rolling with the dopes you know
Rolling with the wrong gun on you
Going down to Baltimore
Oh I miss the girl, miss the girl, miss the girl
I want to give myself to the water
Speeding to the rupture line
Rat-a-tatting boombox moocher
Darling with the boop shuh-nai
Rat-a-tatting lose your future
I dream that she aims to be the bllom upon my misery
She rocks the mop style, she needs the rest
And I know it's not the same thing
The lyrics to Soul Coughing's "I Miss The Girl" are complex and multi-layered, with a range of possible interpretations. The song seems to be about a woman who is caught up in a world of drugs and danger, but who is captivating nonetheless. The singer is drawn to this woman, even as he recognizes the danger and uncertainty that surround her.
The first verse describes the woman as the "daughter to the pop veneer," which suggests that she is a product of the superficial, image-driven culture of American pop music. However, she also shines "like a new mint quarter" and "like the Franklin Mint," which suggests that she has an inherent value that transcends the world of commercial culture. At the same time, she is "seedy like the lampshade quarter," which suggests that she is also caught up in darker, more dangerous aspects of life.
The second verse describes the singer's own relationship to the woman, as he "rolls with the dopes" and "rolls with the wrong gun on [him]." They are "going down to Baltimore" in an "off-white Honda," which suggests that they are on some kind of dangerous mission together. Despite the risks, the singer misses the girl and wants to "give [him]self to the water" in order to be closer to her.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Oh I miss the girl" three times, emphasizing the singer's longing and desire for this woman. He is "speeding to the rupture line" and hearing the "rat-a-tatting boombox moocher," which suggests that danger and excitement are never far away.
The third verse describes the girl as a "darling with the boop shuh-nai" who is "rat-a-tatting lose your future." This suggests that she is charismatic and alluring, but also destructive in some way. The singer dreams that she will be the "bllom upon [his] misery," which suggests that he sees her as a source of hope and redemption. However, she "rocks the mop style" and "needs the rest," which suggests that she is tired of the life she leads.
Overall, "I Miss The Girl" is a complex and haunting song that explores the themes of danger, desire, and complexity. The girl at the center of the song is both alluring and dangerous, and the singer is drawn to her despite the risks. The chorus repeats the phrase "I miss the girl" three times, emphasizing the singer's desire for her, while the verses explore the dark and complex world in which she lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Daughter to the pop veneer
Someone who may appear to be innocent and charming like a pop star
Shining like a new mint quarter
Looking polished and flawless like a brand new coin
Shining like the Franklin Mint
Appearing beautiful and valuable like a Franklin Mint collectible
Seedy like the lampshade quarter
Having a disreputable and shady character like a worn-out lampshade
Rolling with the dopes you know
Hanging out with familiar but foolish people
Rolling with the wrong gun on you
Carrying the wrong weapon while being accompanied by negative influences
Going down to Baltimore
Going towards a rough and dangerous place
Going in an off-white Honda
Traveling in a bland and unremarkable car
Oh I miss the girl, miss the girl, miss the girl
Expressing the deep longing and desire for the presence of a particular girl
I want to give myself to the water
Feeling the urge to liberate oneself and let go to the elements
Speeding to the rupture line
Heading quickly towards a breaking point or a breakdown
Rat-a-tatting boombox moocher
A person who listens to loud and rhythmic music on a borrowed device
Darling with the boop shuh-nai
Addressing or describing a woman who has a distinctive feature, such as a long nose
Rat-a-tatting lose your future
Losing sight of long-term prospects while enjoying the present moment
I dream that she aims to be the bllom upon my misery
Imagining that the desired girl could bring happiness and hope to an otherwise turbulent life
She rocks the mop style, she needs the rest
A reference to the girl's hairstyle and saying that she probably deserves a break or some relaxation
And I know it's not the same thing
Admitting that reality does not completely match ideals or aspirations
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK DEGLIANTONI, MICHAEL DOUGHTY, SEBASTIAN STEINBERG, YUVAL GABAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
twalsh06
Some of the best bass work in any modern music.
john renolds
I can't for the life of me pick a favorite song of theirs! ALL OF THEM ARE SO FUCKING GOOD!!!!
Russell Solomon
I just went down to Baltimore with my dad and bro-in-law. This song was playing in my head the whole time. I'm also currently missing a girl. :/
BrownanDownable
Back in the 90's, I only like a couple of their songs. But today, they all sound so damn great. Especially today compared to everything else.
Tim Martin
Soul Coughing Rule!!! EL OSO all the way. Loved these guys for Donkeys
Georg Brandt
nice drums, nice bass, nice drum n' bass!
Snowdensz
Every member of Soul Coughing absolutely despised each other, and frontman Mike Doughty, who's been running a pretty sweet solo career for the last decade, says that he doesn't regret splitting the band up at all. Your comment makes Mike Doughty sad. :[
thesearethesuns
@kilbair These guys were amazing, especially M. Doughty. In their heyday, they had a unique and stand-out sound, and wrote really interesting songs that still sound cool.
gotaminutereviews
Said I miss the band Miss the band Miss the band I hope they make another album
Faux Kima
Sadly they won't ;( They disbanded in 2000..