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."
Skip Steps 1 & 3
Superchunk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You take a slow sharp step and run it through
Cause if the sound's as good as the action just like a kiss
Well you hesitate and you waste
Why don't you move
Hit the gas straight on
Run through the lights
Skip steps 1 & 3
Skip steps 1 & 3
You see what you want to say
Get to the point
You're gettin' to me
Skip steps 1 & 3
Skip steps 1 & 3
Yeah you can blaze ahead and go home happy
Well it's your free time in the back of your skull
And that's fine for now but what comes after
You've been sucking wind so long it makes you feel full
Hit the gas straight on
Run through the lights
Run through the tree
Skip steps 1 & 3
Skip steps 1 & 3
You see what you want to say
Get to the point
You're gettin' to me
Skip steps 1 & 3
Skip steps 1 & 3
You've been sucking wind so long
Hit the gas straight on
Run through the lights
Run through the tree
Skip steps 1 & 3
Skip steps 1 & 3
You see what you want to say
Get to the point
You're gettin' to me
Skip steps 1 & 3
Skip steps 1 & 3
The lyrics of Superchunk's song Skip Steps 1 & 3 suggest impatience, frustration, and the need to move forward. The opening lines "I see you ??? as big as your fist / You take a slow sharp step and run it through" seem to describe someone with a clear goal in mind, but who is holding back; perhaps they are afraid to take action or make a mistake. The chorus of "Hit the gas straight on / Run through the lights / Run through the tree / Skip steps 1 & 3" seems to encourage taking risks and moving forward without hesitation, skipping past the steps that may slow one down.
The second verse suggests that the person in question may be struggling with communication, as they are urged to "see what you want to say / get to the point." The line "you've been sucking wind so long it makes you feel full" may suggest that this person has been holding back and stagnating for too long, and it is time to take action and move forward.
Overall, the lyrics of Skip Steps 1 & 3 suggest a need for action and decisiveness, even if it means taking risks and skipping over certain steps. The song encourages listeners to be bold and move forward towards their goals, even if it means making mistakes along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you ??? as big as your fist
I observe that you are holding something small in your hand with a tight grip
You take a slow sharp step and run it through
You hesitate and then express yourself in a cutting and direct way
Cause if the sound's as good as the action just like a kiss
If your words match your deeds, it can be as impactful as a kiss
Well you hesitate and you waste
You waste time by being indecisive
Why don't you move
Why don't you take action towards what you want?
You see what you want to say
You know what you want to communicate
Get to the point
Express yourself directly and with focus
You're gettin' to me
You are starting to bother or annoy me
Yeah you can blaze ahead and go home happy
You can rush forward towards your goal and feel satisfied
Well it's your free time in the back of your skull
You have the freedom to think what you want in your own mind
And that's fine for now but what comes after
It's okay for the moment but what will happen next?
You've been sucking wind so long it makes you feel full
You've been trying so hard for so long that it's taken a toll on you
Hit the gas straight on
Move forward with full speed and commitment
Run through the lights
Go through the obstacles without hesitation
Run through the tree
Overcome the obstacles in your way, even if they are hard like a tree
Skip steps 1 & 3
Skip over unnecessary steps and get to what's important
You've been sucking wind so long
You've been pushing yourself too hard for too long
Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.