The band – Andy Bembridge (guitar), Ryan McNally (vocals), Scott McVeigh (bass), Peter Remiger (guitar) and Andrew Thornbrough (drums) came together in 2008 in the Twin Cities. Stemming from the playful 4-track trials of Andy and Ryan, the band combines these experiments with the music school ears of Scott, Andrew and Peter. The result is music that balances an extraordinary camaraderie of close friendship with elements technical, experimental and organic. Dark, crooning vocals combine with sometimes stark, sometimes spaced out surfer hooks that surge over tightly laced percussion and distinct bass lines. Like Television or The Cars after a bump of Polyrock and a double shot of The Doors - it's a strange road trip from late 70's/early 80's NYC back to Venice Beach in the 60's. Somehow they ended up in Minneapolis in the late 2000's.
Bones
Speed's the Name Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To pick with my own thirsty hands
She shakes like the leaves of her favorite tree
The one who's name we don't know
Who pairs with her nose, to create the perfect sense
The way she pairs with mine
All I know is that I will never find peace on my own
My emotion sealed
All the way through all of my bones
Is the feeling of you waiting at home
From now on
I will never be gone
I'll never do wrong
To you
To me
She is a church's bell
Or a light
From a beacon in the middle of the night
While I'm just a steam engine without steam
Or track
How the hell will I ever make it back
She looks
And whistles inside my head
A need can be a freedom
A queen creates a kingdom
Walking ghosts in fields
My emotion sealed
All the way through all of my bones
Is the feeling of you waiting at home
From now on
I will never be gone
I'll never do wrong
To you
A common thread
To wish for dead
A life of love
To go instead
Anywhere
You're not there
When all I want to do is come home to you
In Speed's the Name's song Bones, the lyrics discuss the singer's desire for a person they are in love with. The first stanza describes the physical attributes of this person, using the metaphor of picking ripe fruit to illustrate their appeal. The person shakes like the leaves of their favorite tree, indicating a sense of comfort and familiarity between the two. The second stanza references "walking ghosts in fields," which could be interpreted as the singer feeling lost or directionless without this person in their life. Their emotions are "sealed," suggesting a sense of repression or isolation.
The third stanza highlights the singer's admiration for their loved one, using the metaphor of a church bell or a beacon in the night to illustrate their value. The singer, in contrast, feels inadequate, comparing themselves to a steam engine without steam or track. Despite this, the singer is entranced by their loved one's presence and feels a strong need for them.
The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's devotion to their loved one and their desire to be with them. The final stanza suggests that the singer and their loved one are separated, with the singer wishing they could come home to them.
Overall, the lyrics of Bones convey a sense of longing and desire for a loved one, highlighting their value to the singer and their vital role in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Ripe, to eat
Ready to be taken advantage of
To pick with my own thirsty hands
To obtain through one's own efforts
She shakes like the leaves of her favorite tree
She trembles with excitement
The one who's name we don't know
A mysterious person
Who pairs with her nose, to create the perfect sense
The combination of scents creates an ideal aroma
The way she pairs with mine
Our partnership complements each other
All I know is that I will never find peace on my own
I cannot achieve inner peace without her presence
Walking ghosts in fields
Remnants of the past haunting the present
My emotion sealed
My feelings are kept hidden
All the way through all of my bones
A deeply ingrained feeling
Is the feeling of you waiting at home
The comforting thought of a loved one waiting
From now on
Beginning with this moment
I will never be gone
I will always be there for you
I'll never do wrong
I promise to never betray you
To you
My commitment is to you
She is a church's bell
She represents purity and clarity
Or a light
A symbol of guidance and hope
From a beacon in the middle of the night
Amidst darkness, there is a shining light
While I'm just a steam engine without steam
I am lacking energy and direction
Or track
Without guidance or direction
How the hell will I ever make it back
I am incapable of returning without your help
She looks
Her gaze captivates me
And whistles inside my head
I cannot get her out of my mind
A need can be a freedom
Having a purpose can bring liberation
A queen creates a kingdom
A powerful woman can inspire greatness
A common thread
A shared wish or desire
To wish for dead
A desperate desire to escape pain
A life of love
A life filled with affection
To go instead
Choosing a new path
Anywhere
Any location will do
You're not there
Without you, it is not worth it
When all I want to do is come home to you
Being with you is my ultimate goal
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.