Their debut self-titled album Buttertones was released in 2013, followed by For the Head and For the Feet and American Brunch. Gravedigging would then be released in 2017 with Midnight in a Moonless Dream (2018) following. The band's most recent album is Jazzhound, released on April 10th, 2020.
Reminiscing
The Buttertones Lyrics
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Keep me up at night
I look through pictures
You with your feet
In the river
Not so long ago
I miss your loving
Those wild eyes keep going around looking
For the right way out
I know
That soon enough I'll start acting soft
Said our goodbyes have a good time
Reminiscing won't help me
But I just can't help myself
I've read all your letters
Wish you'd quit reminding me
That you're much better
Keep going around looking
For the right way out
I know
That soon enough I'll start acting rough
And open my eyes stop wasting time
Reminiscing won't help me
But I just can't help myself
From reminiscing
Reminiscing
Reminiscing
The Buttertones' "Reminiscing" is a melancholic yet introspective tune about the memories of a former love that still haunts the singer. The lyrics describe how the memories of a past affection keep the singer up at night, causing him to look through pictures of happier times spent together. The opening lines, "The things I remember / Keep me up at night," convey a sense of longing and sadness, something universal to anyone who has experienced the bitter tastes of a failed relationship.
The song's chorus describes the singer's struggle with his feelings for his former flame. He misses her love profoundly and knows that he should move on, but he also recognizes the allure of "wild eyes" that search for something more. The lyric "I know that soon enough I'll start acting rough and open my eyes, stop wasting time" hints at the internal conflict that the singer faces in trying to move on from a past love.
In the end, the chorus repeats the title of the song multiple times, emphasizing the singer's persistent thoughts of reminiscing about his past love. Despite the pain and the memories, he just can't seem to let go.
Overall, The Buttertones' "Reminiscing" is a beautifully written song that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss. It highlights the struggle of moving on from a past relationship and expresses the internal conflict we all face when we try to reconcile our own past with our present.
Line by Line Meaning
The things I remember
Memories keep me awake at night and are always on my mind
Keep me up at night
Memories are preventing me from sleeping peacefully
I look through pictures
I scroll through pictures to relive the past
You with your feet
I see a picture of you with your feet in the river
In the river
A specific moment in time and place that I miss
Not so long ago
It feels like it was recent, but it's already gone
I miss your loving
I miss the love and affection you showed me
Miss it most of the time
I constantly miss the love and affection you gave me
Those wild eyes keep going around looking
Your wild, adventurous spirit continues to search for a new path
For the right way out
You're searching for a way to escape or find clarity
I know
I am aware of your struggles and your search for meaning
That soon enough I'll start acting soft
I will eventually feel more vulnerable and emotional
Said our goodbyes have a good time
We parted ways and wished each other well
Reminiscing won't help me
Thinking about the past won't bring you back or solve my problems
But I just can't help myself
I can't stop myself from remembering and longing for the past
I've read all your letters
I have gone back to read old letters from you
Wish you'd quit reminding me
I wish I could forget you and move on
That you're much better
I am reminded that you're better off without me
From reminiscing
From thinking about the past
Reminiscing
Reflecting on old memories and feelings
Reminiscing
Continuing to remember and think about the past, despite its futility
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.