The idea for the project began one day a couple of years ago when Alaina made fun of Patrick for playing tennis in college. A year later the two fled their hometown Denver to spend eight months sailing and exploring the North Atlantic coast. During their adventures they began writing music together documenting their experiences. The Longboat Pass Songfacts reports that the pair eventually recorded their songs. The resulting album, Cape Dory, is about their time on the seas, the majority of the tracks being about the difficulties they experienced during their trip.
There other artists with the same name:
2. Australian Indie band containing two brothers, two cousins and a mystery bass player. Tennis have left the halcyon days of art school behind in pursuit of the perfect musical storm. Tennis played their first gig at a strip club in Surry Hills circa β06, simultaneously debuting in Sydneyβs indie and adult entertainment scenes.
Pursuing the former rather than the latter, Tennis have since graced the stages of many more credible venues, supporting the likes of; Matt & Kim(USA), The Ruby Suns(NZ), Wolf and Cub, Children Collide, Lost Valentinos, Tame Impala and The Holidays. Their colliding beats, wild rhythms, melodic vocals and stark atmospheres meld into a festive music de force driving listeners into a sweaty rapture.
3. IDM project of Ben Edwards & Douglas Benford. Their releases:
Wooden Sweets (CD, 2000)
Duckshelf / Interview (7", Expanding 2001)
Europe On Horseback (CD, BiP_HOp 2001)
Furlines (2xCD, BiP_HOp 2003)
4. A now-defunct alternative pop/punk band from New York consisting of singer/guitarist Greg Tuohey, bassist Kris Bauman, and drummer Jochen Rueckert.
Marathon
Tennis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is a very small cove
Separated from the sea
By a shifting shoal
We didn't realize that
We had arrived
At high tide, high tide
Barely made it out alive
Red over white
Fishermen working at night
Not even once
Did we see a light
We didn't realize
The forecast had been revised
By moonless skies and
Shifty wind that gusts and dies
On the sand our keel is heaving
But tonight we've got to be leaving
Travel through the day and into the evening
Marathon how long we've been gone
And still not yet set foot upon you
Your low lying shore opens welcomingly
To one who's spent the night at sea
Adrift in the shallows, a modest repose
Adorn with coral, your bright colors show
Ushered in through a bridge that is never closed
The first verse of Tennis's "Marathon" paints a picture of a small cove called Coconut Grove that is separated from the larger ocean by a shifting shoal. The singer and her companions do not realize that they have arrived at high tide, and as a result, they barely make it out alive. The intensity of the situation is conveyed through the repetition of "high tide," emphasizing how dangerous the surge of water was. The second verse shifts focus to a group of fishermen working at night. Despite their presence, the singer and her companions do not see a single light, highlighting the isolation and otherworldliness of the scene. The group also did not realize that the weather forecast had changed - it was now moonless, with shifty winds that could easily gust and die. The use of the word "shifty" once again emphasizes a sense of uncertainty and danger.
The third verse brings the focus back to the singer's group. They have made it to the shore, but their keel is heaving on the sand - implying that their boat has been through a lot of turbulence. They can't stay, though - they must continue traveling through the day and into the evening. The chorus then repeats the word "Marathon," suggesting a journey that is both long and arduous. The final verse describes the welcoming nature of Marathon's "low lying shore" - a marked contrast to the danger and isolation of the song's earlier scenes. The singer compares it to a modest repose adorned with coral, offering a sense of tranquility and beauty. Finally, they will be "ushered in through a bridge that is never closed," conveying a sense of security and stability.
Line by Line Meaning
Coconut grove
The beginning of the journey
Is a very small cove
The cove is a small and confined place
Separated from the sea
It is a protected area from the sea
By a shifting shoal
A shallow area that constantly changes the water depth separates it from the sea.
We didn't realize that
They were not aware of the approaching danger.
We had arrived
They had reached the destination.
At high tide, high tide
They arrived during high tide, which added to the danger.
Barely made it out alive
They almost did not survive the journey
Red over white
Referring to the color of the lights used by fishermen
Fishermen working at night
Fishermen working during the night
Not even once
They did not see a light shining from the fishing boats
Did we see a light
There were no visible lights around, causing more danger to their journey.
We didn't realize
They were not aware of the changes in the weather or any other impending danger.
The forecast had been revised
The weather report had changed without their knowledge
By moonless skies and
Stormy weather with no moon in sight created dark and dangerous conditions.
Shifty wind that gusts and dies
Wind that changes speed and direction suddenly and without warning
On the sand our keel is heaving
Their boat is stuck in the sand due to the low tide
But tonight we've got to be leaving
They need to leave as soon as possible despite the situation
Travel through the day and into the evening
They will travel throughout the day and night until they reach their destination.
Marathon how long we've been gone
After such a long journey, they wonder how much time has passed.
And still not yet set foot upon you
They have not yet reached their destination, Marathon.
Your low lying shore opens welcomingly
Marathon's low-lying shore appears welcoming.
To one who's spent the night at sea
After spending a restless night at sea, the welcoming shore offers relief.
Adrift in the shallows, a modest repose
A feeling of restful solitude and tranquility experienced while adrift in the shallows.
Adorn with coral, your bright colors show
The coral and bright colors on the shoreline make it visually appealing
Ushered in through a bridge that is never closed
Entering the area is not difficult because the bridge is always open.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alaina Moore-Riley, Patrick Riley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
roesco
Still one of my favorite songs ever 10 years later π
Google Account
Still will have been my favorite song after 20 years later πππππ
Jeff
i love this whole album. it makes me feel like im doing good in my life and that everything will be okay. ill be chilling out somewhere nice one day.
Jewels Love
We've been listening to this song for years. We love it. It gets played regularly at our house.
alexx
This song is so beautiful. I can't wait to go to the beach this summer and listen to Tennis! :)
Cameron Cruz
I never seen such a happy comment
alexx
+Frank Lee Gay Awesome! Windows down while im feeling the breeze and looking at the reflection of the sun off of the water =)
Frank Lee Gay
+jay flores how was it?
Indie Keegan
I love that currently Tennis has an early 80s/ 70s aesthetic. Listen to this and it's more of a 60s indie pop vibe. So much talent it's crazy!!! Love love love β€οΈπΎ
Manny A
This song makes me wanna throw on a dress with some sweet sunnies and an unnecessary floppy then go for a stroll.