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.
The Sailor In Love With The Sea
The 6ths Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bowed by a mortal ennui
I fell in love with a sailor
A sailor in love with the sea
Cry like Elizabeth Taylor
Out on the end of the quay
I fell in love with a sailor
The lyrics of The Sailor in Love With the Sea by The 6ths embody a sentiment of yearning, unrequited love and emotional depths. The singer is described as sighing and growing paler every day, weighed down by a sense of weariness with everyday life - mortal ennui. However, this all changes when they fall in love with a sailor who is in love with the sea. There is a sense of mutual understanding and connection between the singer and the sailor - a shared sense of passion, purpose and love for something greater than oneself. The sailor is described as a figure of romance, adventure and mystery, who is forever drawn to the sea. The singer can relate to this sense of longing and allows themselves to be swept away by their emotions.
The second verse of the song continues to explore the theme of unrequited love, with the singer crying out like Elizabeth Taylor (presumably in the film A Place in the Sun) at the end of the quay. There is a sense of despair and longing in this image - the singer is yearning for the sailor, but their love is not reciprocated in the same way. Nevertheless, they cannot help but be drawn to the sailor's passion for the sea, and the two share a connection that goes beyond words. The song is a melancholy, yet beautiful expression of love, longing and a sense of striving for something greater than oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Sigh and grow every day paler
I constantly heave a melancholy sigh and increasingly become more pale every single day.
Bowed by a mortal ennui
I am weighed down by a deep boredom and apathy that's making me feel tired and listless.
I fell in love with a sailor
I developed strong romantic feelings for a man who spends his life at sea.
A sailor in love with the sea
He loves the ocean and his passion for it is as deep as my love for him.
Cry like Elizabeth Taylor
I cry out in anguish and heartbreak just like the famous actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Out on the end of the quay
I am standing on the very edge of the harbor's wharf, gazing out at the endless waters where my lover floats.
Contributed by Aiden P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.