After a pair of well-received singles, Superchunk released Superchunk in 1990, a critically-lauded LP. In spite of the ensuing interest from major labels, Superchunk decided to stay independent, going with Matador Records for their second, just as critically-lauded LP, No Pocky for Kitty, followed by a collection of singles, Tossing Seeds and another pair of well-reviewed LP's, On the Mouth and Foolish.
Superchunk singer Mac McCaughan and bassist Laura Ballance decided to release future albums on their own Merge Records, which they had started in 1989. The band continued touring and recording, appearing on Lollapalooza and backing a minor hit in "Hyper Enough" (from Here's Where the Strings Come In). In 1999, Superchunk released Come Pick Me Up.
McCaughan was a member of Seam and has also recorded several albums as Portastatic. Initially a solo project, Portastatic has evolved into a full band, which currently includes Superchunk's Jim Wilbur as a member. Before forming Superchunk, McCaughan was a member of the Slushpuppies, Wwax, and Bricks.
In 2008, the band announced they would be performing live shows and working on new material. That new material manifested itself as 2009's Leaves in the Gutter EP, which was followed by a full-length in 2010.
In 2013 bassist Laura Ballance announced that she would no longer tour, due to a worsening hearing condition (hyperacusis). However, the band continues to release new material, including the 2018 album "What a Time to be Alive."
My Gap Feels Weird
Superchunk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've all got forever skinned knees
You may be down here for something that you need
But I know she sings this sadness just for me
And it makes me free
Oh my gap feels weird
Oh my gap feels weird
Is a song for the shadows on the curb, collars up, they're saying
"You don't even know us and you never will"
There's not enough eyeliner in this world
Love the darkness of your boys and girls
Keep your hair black and in your face
Who sings for you now when you're in that place,
And the background fades?
Oh my gap feels weird
Oh my gap feels weird
Oh my gap feels weird, oh my gap is here
Is a song for the kids down on the corner with the look that tells you
You don't even know them and you never will
Oh my gap feels weird
Oh my gap feels weird
Oh my gap feels weird, oh my gap is clear
Is a song for the kids down on the corner with the look that tells you
Time and transition is a wave that will put you overboard
Where the darkness is a bed and you can sleep
'Til someone tells you that they know you and they do
The lyrics of Superchunk's song, My Gap Feels Weird, are open to interpretation, but at its core, the song seems to be exploring themes of alienation, identity, and the search for meaning. The phrase "My gap feels weird" can be interpreted in a number of ways, but it seems to suggest a sense of disconnection or unease. The song begins with the lines "Mister, keep your memories / We've all got forever skinned knees," which could be seen as a call to let go of the past and embrace the inevitability of pain and struggle. The singer acknowledges that we all come to this world with our own needs and desires, but also suggests that there is a communal sense of sadness that we all share. The line "But I know she sings this sadness just for me" suggests a personal connection to the pain that seems to pervade the world.
As the song continues, there is a sense of rebellion against societal norms and expectations. The singer references "the shadows on the curb" and "the kids down on the corner," suggesting a group of outsiders who don't fit in with the mainstream culture. The reference to eyeliner and black hair suggests a goth or punk aesthetic, further emphasizing the idea of nonconformity. The repeated line "You don't even know us and you never will" drives home the idea that these outsiders are misunderstood and marginalized.
The song ends on a somewhat hopeful note, with the suggestion that there is a way out of this sense of alienation. The line "Time and transition is a wave that will put you overboard / Where the darkness is a bed and you can sleep" suggests a surrender to the inevitability of change and transformation. But the final line, "Til someone tells you that they know you and they do," suggests that there is hope for connection and understanding, even in the midst of the darkness and the unknown.
Overall, My Gap Feels Weird is a complex and somewhat ambiguous song, exploring themes of alienation, rebellion, and the search for meaning. The repeated chorus suggests a sense of disconnection, while the verses hint at the possibility of connection and understanding, even among outsiders and misfits.
Line by Line Meaning
Mister, keep your memories
Don't try to impose your memories on us. We all have our fair share of bad experiences.
We've all got forever skinned knees
We've all been through tough times, and we carry the scars with us throughout our lives.
You may be down here for something that you need
Maybe you're going through a rough patch and it's necessary for you to be here in this situation.
But I know she sings this sadness just for me
This song may seem depressing to some, but it speaks to me personally and makes me feel better.
And it makes me free
This song helps me let go of my troubles and feel liberated.
Oh my gap feels weird
I feel like there's something missing in my life.
Is a song for the shadows on the curb, collars up, they're saying
This song is about the kids who hang out on the street, looking tough and unapproachable.
"You don't even know us and you never will"
They're saying that no one understands them or what they're going through.
There's not enough eyeliner in this world
No amount of makeup can hide the pain that some people feel inside.
Love the darkness of your boys and girls
These kids are attracted to the darkness and danger that comes with their tough image.
Keep your hair black and in your face
This is a common look among kids who feel misunderstood and marginalized. They hide behind their hair.
Who sings for you now when you're in that place,
When you feel like you're in a dark place mentally or emotionally, who can you turn to for help?
And the background fades?
When everything else seems to disappear, who or what is left to support you?
"Time and transition is a wave that will put you overboard
Life can be unpredictable and difficult, and sometimes it may feel like you're drowning in it.
Where the darkness is a bed and you can sleep
Sometimes it's easier to just succumb to the darkness and close your eyes, to escape your problems for a while.
'Til someone tells you that they know you and they do
But eventually, someone may come along and truly understand you, and help you find your way out of the dark.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James August Wilbur, Jonathan Patrick Wurster, Laura Jane Ballance, Ralph Lee Mccaughan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind