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.
In The City In The Rain
The 6ths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the city in the rain you vanish without a trace
In the city in the rain you've got mysterious ways
In the city in the rain I'm gonna spend all my days
I think I'm gonna dance
All night long
I think I'm gonna dance
In the city in the rain, inside a smoky cafe
In the city in the rain you tell me that you'll stay
In the city in the rain you suddenly slip away
In the city in the rain, I'm gonna spend all my days
I think I'm gonna dance
All night long
I think I'm gonna dance
Till the moon goes down
In the city in the rain I hear the screaming of tires
In the city in the rain I'm setting myself on fire
In the city in the rain among the beautiful lights
In the city in the rain, I think I'll dance all night
I think I'm gonna dance
All night long
I think I'm gonna dance
Till the moon goes down
The 6ths' song "In The City In The Rain" is a melancholic yet hopeful piece that portrays the singer's emotions in a rainy city. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer has noticed a beautiful face in the rain, but it disappears without a trace, leading us to believe that the song is about missed connections and fleeting moments. Despite this, the singer seems to find some solace in the mysteries of the city, as they sing "In the city in the rain you've got mysterious ways".
As the song progresses, the singer finds themselves in a smoky cafe where a person promises to stay with them, only to leave them suddenly. The contrast between the shelter of the cafe and the unpredictable nature of the city is emphasized by the line "In the city in the rain, I'm gonna spend all my days". These events lead the singer to feelings of frustration and self-destruction, as expressed in the lines "In the city in the rain I hear the screaming of tires, In the city in the rain, I'm setting myself on fire". However, despite these negative emotions, the singer still finds the beauty in the city's lights and music, and so they decide to dance all night until the moon goes down.
Line by Line Meaning
In the city in the rain you've got a beautiful face
Despite the dreary weather, your appearance remains beautiful.
In the city in the rain you vanish without a trace
Despite being here in this moment, you are elusive and hard to hold on to.
In the city in the rain you've got mysterious ways
Your actions and motives remain a mystery to me, despite being in close proximity.
In the city in the rain I'm gonna spend all my days
Despite the challenges of living in this city, I am devoted to staying here.
In the city in the rain, inside a smoky cafe
Despite the inclement weather, we find refuge in a warm and cozy indoor space.
In the city in the rain you tell me that you'll stay
Despite the transience of this city, you promise to remain by my side for the time being.
In the city in the rain you suddenly slip away
Despite your promise to stay, you mysteriously disappear without warning.
In the city in the rain, I'm gonna spend all my days
Despite the challenges of living in this city, I am devoted to staying here.
In the city in the rain I hear the screaming of tires
Amidst the noisy and chaotic city sounds, I distinctly hear the screeching of car tires in distress.
In the city in the rain I'm setting myself on fire
Amidst the mundane routine of city life, I am sparking a passion within myself and igniting change.
In the city in the rain among the beautiful lights
Despite the unpleasant weather, the city's dazzling lights still manage to capture my attention and admiration.
In the city in the rain, I think I'll dance all night
Despite the challenges and chaos of city life, I find joy and escape in dancing until the early hours of the morning.
I think I'm gonna dance
Despite everything going on around me, I am committed to finding joy and happiness through dancing.
All night long
I plan to dance until the sun rises, refusing to let go of this moment of joy and escape.
Till the moon goes down
I plan to dance well into the night, carried away by the music and my own passion.
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.