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.
Soundtrack To Mary
Soul Coughing Lyrics
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Easy limbs languid all around you.
All my time is
Dirt on your hands.
Fingers drifting
Down my spine now.
Fall,
Fall,
Fall,
Fall,
Fall.
Soundtrack to Mary.
Many minds wandering from room to room.
Many trees slain just to write it to you.
Many rays blinding,
Almost drowning,
Keep this whole shine,
Locked in my room.
Throw back the noise, get another one.
Pour out the rum, I've been drunk enough.
I know the sound that you made and I
Can't seem to reminder myself.
I hope you feel better
later on.
The lyrics to Soul Coughing's "Soundtrack to Mary" are cryptic, yet emotive, delving into themes of escape, intimacy, nostalgia, and distraction. The song begins by highlighting how easy it is to find places to get away from the mundane aspects of life. However, the focus then shifts to a more intimate scene, where a person's limbs are languid and dirt is on their hands, implying some kind of physical activity.
The second verse creates a contrast by using imagery involving trees being destroyed in order to write a message to someone, while also referencing the overwhelming feeling of being drowned by blinding rays. The singer then mentions how they pour out rum to distract themselves from the noise and to forget a past sound that they can't seem to remember. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the phrase "soundtrack to Mary," which is never fully explained or explored.
Overall, the lyrics of "Soundtrack to Mary" suggest a yearning for escape and intimacy, as well as a struggle with memories and distractions that hinder connection to the present. The song's meaning can be interpreted in various ways, such as a longing to reignite a past flame or an attempt to overcome a difficult situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Easy places to get away to.
There are readily available, accessible locations to escape to when feeling overwhelmed or stuck.
Easy limbs languid all around you.
Relaxing and unwinding with lazy and effortless movements surrounding you.
All my time is Dirt on your hands.
The time spent together has left a mark on you, a residue that won't leave.
Fingers drifting Down my spine now.
Gentle touches tracing along the length of your back.
Fall, Fall, Fall, Fall, Fall, Fall.
Repeatedly descending or losing control.
Soundtrack to Mary.
A collection of music or sounds that serve as a backdrop or theme for a person named Mary.
Many minds wandering from room to room.
Numerous thoughts drifting aimlessly between spaces.
Many trees slain just to write it to you.
Countless efforts made to express or communicate to you.
Many rays blinding, Almost drowning, Keep this whole shine, Locked in my room.
The intense brightness or illumination nearly overwhelms and drowns out everything else; this radiance must be kept contained and kept secret.
Throw back the noise, get another one.
Disregard the distracting sounds and find a new one.
Pour out the rum, I've been drunk enough.
Do away with the sweet intoxication, as being inebriated is no longer desirable.
I know the sound that you made and I Can't seem to reminder myself.
The distinctive noise or utterance you produced is familiar, but trying to recall or recollect it is impossible.
I hope you feel better later on.
Wishing that things will improve or become brighter in the future.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK DEGLIANTONI, MICHAEL DOUGHTY, SEBASTIAN STEINBERG, YUVAL GABAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind