The two albums released to date are Wasps' Nests (1995) and Hyacinths and Thistles (1999). The names of both albums, and the name of the band, are deliberate tongue-twisters. The words are chosen for their abundance of s and th sounds. Sixths packs one th and three s sounds into one syllable.
One story has it that the band was conceived when Merritt, observing that there was no tribute album dedicated to him, decided to make one himself. The concept is that Merritt writes songs which are then played and sung by other artists, different ones on each track. It has so far produced two well-received albums and many bizarre collaborations.
The other story (and the more accurate one) is that Merritt wrote the songs, mailed the singers rough demos, their vocals and additional tracks were returned via mail back to Merritt who the results took to his studio and polished them up as finished items. This at least rings true on the debut record, with the singers and composers never meeting in person. A few years later, the Postal Service would use this same tactic and even use the method as their namesake.
The list of singers on Wasps' Nests reads like a veritable Who's Who of mid 90s indie rock starpower, including Miho Hatori, Barbara Manning, Mary Timony, Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna), Lou Barlow, Robert Scott (The Bats, The Clean), Georgia Hubley (Yo La Tengo) and Mark Robinson.
Some of the more notable artists appearing on Hyacinths and Thistles are Bob Mould, Sally Timms (The Mekons), Sarah Cracknell (Saint Etienne), Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy), Gary Numan, Marc Almond, Momus, Clare Grogan (Altered Images), Melanie, Miss Lily Banquette (Combustible Edison) and the accomplished toy piano player Margaret Leng Tan.
Aging Spinsters
The 6ths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Winter of your own
Staying warm inside
Your Victorian home
But when the city's so hot
The winos burst into flames
When the Jesus freaks
Collapse with the weight of their claims
Marry young, Diana
I don't want to see you old and alone
And it's no fun, Diana
I don't want to see you
Rot in the home for aging spinsters
You should find someone
As loyal as a dog
Who will still love you
When you look like a frog
Someone to rock your chair
And bring you pink lemonade
Someone to peel you a grape
At one-hundred degrees in the shade
Marry young, Diana
I don't want to see you old and alone
And it's no fun, Diana
I don't want to see you
Rot in the home for aging spinsters
The song "Aging Spinsters" by The 6ths is a pop song that comments on societal expectations for women to marry while they are young and attractive. The lyrics contrast the option of staying in a comfortable, safe space (represented by a Victorian home) with the dangers of being out in the world (winos bursting into flames, Jesus freaks collapsing). The song warns Diana, the subject of the lyrics, that she should find someone to marry, someone as loyal as a dog, because no one wants to imagine her growing old and alone in the "home for aging spinsters."
Line by Line Meaning
You can have a Fall
You can experience a season of change
And Winter of your own
And a period of dormancy
Staying warm inside
Through comfort and familiarity
Your Victorian home
Within a traditional, conservative lifestyle
But when the city's so hot
However, when the environment becomes difficult to tolerate
The winos burst into flames
Those who have given up on life may self-destruct
When the Jesus freaks
When those who have fervent beliefs
Collapse with the weight of their claims
Become overwhelmed by the burden of expressing their convictions
Marry young, Diana
Get married while you are young, Diana
I don't want to see you old and alone
I don't want to see you grow old and be alone without companionship
And it's no fun, Diana
And it won't be enjoyable, Diana
I don't want to see you
I want to spare you from experiencing
Rot in the home for aging spinsters
A stagnated, unfulfilling life in an assisted living facility for unmarried women
You should find someone
You ought to search for someone
As loyal as a dog
Who is devoted like a faithful pet
Who will still love you
Who will continue to cherish you
When you look like a frog
Even when you are older and less attractive
Someone to rock your chair
Someone to comfort you in your old age
And bring you pink lemonade
Conveying pleasure through small, thoughtful gestures
Someone to peel you a grape
Serve you in a manner typically reserved for royalty
At one-hundred degrees in the shade
Even when the situation is difficult
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Normie Times
That synth in the chorus is amazing.
Ben Greenmaidan
There was a great cover of this on Youtube years ago, on piano, by someone called Rabbitha, or Rabbita (something like that), along with a cover of Smoke & Mirrors. They were great, wish I could find them.
Suneko
love it
GothicMatter
They almost sound most like the cure 😍😘i love this song one my favs on this album.
Steven Streight
It's important to know that they called this "Wasp's Nests by the Sixths" because it would be impossible to request at a record store. Try saying it. Lispy chaos. LOL
Séamus McGuire
great song
L.
SO FUCKING GOOD
Isabella Oliveira
happily melancholic. thnaks
Matti Ellis
0 people missed the 'Like' button.
Miss HG
Me too =D