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.
San Diego Zoo
The 6ths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We were there all day
In the middle of the world's highway
Summer left it's light green lipstick
On our faces
Took us to all the pretty places
Highway four o five will take you
To Interstate five which goes right to
The Sandiego Zoo [Repeat x5]
How could I have ever left you?
Left you in a sidewalk cafe
I'm the restless kind
And I must have been out of my mind
'cause I haven't slept since Wednesday
I've been getting thin
I just want to see your silly grin
Highway four o five will take you
From the Boom-Boom Room
To Interstate five which goes right to
The Sandiego Zoo [Repeat x5]
How could I have ever left you?
The 6ths' song "San Diego Zoo" tells the story of two people who meet on a traffic island and spend the day together in various pretty locations thanks to the light green lipstick of summer. The first verse sets up the backstory of the meeting and the adventures that followed. The second verse takes a turn for the wistful, as the singer laments leaving the person they met at a sidewalk cafe. The singer regrets their restless nature and inability to settle down with the person they care for. The chorus emphasizes the location of the San Diego Zoo, with the repetition acting almost as a mantra or reminder of the possibility of reconnecting with the person they left behind.
The song is a bittersweet reflection on missed connections and the consequences of restless behavior. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the sunny locales and hint at a sense of regret for not staying with the person the singer met. The repetition of the San Diego Zoo as an endpoint for the highway emphasizes the idea of meeting up with someone and continuing on a journey together.
Line by Line Meaning
Met you on a traffic island
We met in a strange, transient place where people come and go quickly.
We were there all day
We spent the whole day together, getting to know each other on this unexpected meeting place.
In the middle of the world's highway
Our meeting felt like a random occurrence in the midst of a chaotic world.
Summer left it's light green lipstick
We spent a carefree summer together, marked by warm memories and playful experiences.
On our faces
These summertime experiences made us giddy and smiley with joy, visible on our faces.
Took us to all the pretty places
We explored the city together and saw all the beautiful sights, enjoying each other's company.
Highway four o five will take you
The highway provides a way to travel and escape from one place to another.
From the Boom-Boom Room
From a fun and lively nightclub where people go to dance and have fun.
To Interstate five which goes right to
The interstate provides a direct path to a popular tourist attraction in San Diego.
The Sandiego Zoo [Repeat x5]
The San Diego zoo is a fun and popular destination that provides an opportunity to see unique animals.
How could I have ever left you?
I regret leaving you, and wish I could go back to that time when we were happy and carefree together.
Left you in a sidewalk cafe
I abandoned you in a mundane place, showing my lack of commitment to our relationship.
I'm the restless kind
I have a tendency to be unsettled in life and always seeking something new.
And I must have been out of my mind
My actions were not rational, and I was not thinking clearly when I left you.
'cause I haven't slept since Wednesday
My regrets and anxieties about leaving you have kept me up at night and consumed my thoughts.
I've been getting thin
My emotional distress has affected my physical health, causing me to lose weight.
I just want to see your silly grin
Despite everything, I still have feelings for you and miss your happy and carefree smile.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind