Suuns have no doubt ingested a lot of art rock, the Montreal group's minima… Read Full Bio ↴Suuns have no doubt ingested a lot of art rock, the Montreal group's minimalist rhythms are equally informed by Joy Division, Suicide and Can, often wrapped in a noisy squall of droning guitars and pulsing synths. Add to this Ben Shemie's breathy, paranoid sing/speak, and there are times that it seems like Suuns are about to drive over a sonic cliff. But there's actually a great sense of restraint at play. We were enveloped in Suuns' dark and thrilling post-punk from the first listen, never to return.

Mortise and Tenon
Suuns Lyrics

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How′s it gonna be? I really like this feeling and I wanna make it last
So far away, it only takes a day 'till the moment has passed
(Wo oh, oh oh) What do we do in the sand?
(Wo oh, oh oh) What do we do in the sand?

I soaked under your skin
I can′t taste a thing
I'm folding like a [?]

In another way, I never thought I'd say
Like it wanted to burn

(Wo oh, oh ohh) What do we do we do in the sand?
(Wo oh, oh ohh) What do we do we do in the sand?

Leave that up to me
I like for weeks [?]
So far away, some would′ve say we′re moving too fast
So many ways to waste the day
Say please, take what you need and I'll take what you want
These days are just back

(Wo oh, oh ohh) What do we do to ourself?
Oh oh seem seem seems unfair
(Wo oh oh ohh) what do we do? Nothing
Oh oh seem seem seems unfair
Wo oh oh ohh what do we do to ourself
Oh oh seem seem seems unfair

Wo oh oh ohh what do we do to ourself
Oh oh seem seem seems unfair

Overall Meaning

The song Mortise and Tenon by Suuns depicts a feeling of uncertainty and fleetingness in a relationship that the singer is trying to hold on to. The opening line asks the question, "How's it gonna be?" which suggests an uncertainty as to whether or not this feeling and relationship is going to last. The singer then goes on to express a desire to make this feeling last, but acknowledges that it can all disappear so quickly; "So far away, it only takes a day 'till the moment has passed."

The repetition of the question "What do we do in the sand?" seems to represent the aimlessness and uncertainty of the relationship. The singer feels like they are wasting time, and even though they are physically close to the other person, they are distant emotionally. The lyric "I soaked under your skin, I can't taste a thing" shows a sense of detachment and a lack of emotional connection. The imagery of "folding like a [?]" represents the vulnerability and fragility that the singer is experiencing, which they never thought they would experience.

The chorus "What do we do to ourselves? Oh oh seem seem seems unfair" suggests that the singer is blaming themselves or themselves and their partner for the confusion, stagnancy, and fading of the relationship. The final line of the song "Oh oh seem seem seems unfair" highlights confusion and uncertainty about the relationship, as if the singer is still searching for answers.

Line by Line Meaning

How's it gonna be? I really like this feeling and I wanna make it last
The singer expresses their love for their current state and worries about the future.

So far away, it only takes a day 'till the moment has passed
The singer reflects on the shortness of life and the brevity of moments.

(Wo oh, oh oh) What do we do in the sand?
The singer questions the futility of their actions in the grand scheme of things.

I soaked under your skin
The artist feels deeply connected to someone else.

I can't taste a thing
The artist feels numb and apathetic.

I'm folding like a [?]
The singer feels emotionally vulnerable and weak.

In another way, I never thought I'd say / Like it wanted to burn
The singer experiences an unexpected feeling, perhaps passion or desire.

(Wo oh, oh oh) What do we do we do in the sand?
The artist questions the meaning of their actions once again.

Leave that up to me / I like for weeks [?]
The artist takes control and expresses their desire for more time.

So far away, some would've say we're moving too fast
The artist worries about the pace of the relationship.

So many ways to waste the day
The singer reflects on the multitude of ways one can squander their time.

Say please, take what you need and I'll take what you want / These days are just back
The artist selflessly offers to give to the other person while acknowledging the fleeting nature of their time together.

(Wo oh, oh ohh) What do we do to ourself? / Oh oh seem seem seems unfair / (Wo oh oh ohh) what do we do? Nothing / Oh oh seem seem seems unfair / Wo oh oh ohh what do we do to ourself / Oh oh seem seem seems unfair / Wo oh oh ohh what do we do to ourself / Oh oh seem seem seems unfair
The singer questions their own actions and the unfairness of life.

Writer(s): Benjamin Shemie, Max Henry, Thomas Joseph Yarmush, Francis Liam O'neill

Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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