The Hatist
The American Analog Set Lyrics

The American Analog Set's song The Hatist is a contemplative piece that ponders the idea of escape from one's self perceived inadequacies. The reference to hanging out at the casino with her cub scout T. possibly refers to a woman who is a habitual gambler and has a younger companion, the cub scout T. The lyrics, when referring to Julie, suggest that the singer is looking for a way out of their current predicament and possibly seeking redemption from their gambling addiction. The mention of liquor is possibly an allusion to their coping mechanism or a struggle with alcoholism. The repeated plea for Julie to ransom them suggests that they are aware of their predicament and are willing to concede their desperation to be saved from the clutches of their addiction.

At its heart, The Hatist is a song that reflects on the human condition and the struggles we face, sometimes within ourselves. The use of recurring phrases such as "Do you know Julie the way she knows me?" and "Maybe Julie you can ransom me" adds to the depth of the song and helps to drive the point of self-realization and redemption to the listener.