Musically, the band has been compared by critics to The Black Crowes, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Cream for their blues-tinged, instrumentally sparse arrangements. Lyrically, The Elms continue to gravitate towards writing songs revolving around observations of their small-town upbringing and the struggles facing many middle-Americans.
The Elms were known for their raucous, energetic live performances, and were for some time considered by many to be one of the top new live rock bands in America. The band's U.S. touring in 2006-2008 saw them perform with Goo Goo Dolls, Cracker, Shooter Jennings, Buddy Guy, Los Lonely Boys, Will Hoge, Gin Blossoms, and rock legend Peter Frampton among others.
On June 1, 2010, the band announced via their website that they were amicably parting ways after ten years together. They simultaneously released a digital-only boxed set of unreleased and live material called "STOPPIN' ON A DIME" to clear out the vaults and give fans a parting gift.
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Band members are: Owen Thomas (vocals, guitar), Christopher D. Thomas (drums, vocals), Thomas Daugherty (guitar, vocals), and Nathan W. Bennett (bass guitar, vocals).
Strut
The Elms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's plain to see that the times are hard.
What's a man to do when he's had enough?
You put on your boots and you strut your stuff.
I bet on the market, that done crashed.
I bought me a house, but it ain't worth trash.
Baby, I don't care, long as I stay tough.
Come on, strut your stuff.
I got a call today from the hometown bank,
And I got no fuel left in the tank.
Well the scene looks bad but sure enough,
Gonna go out today and strut my stuff.
Come on, strut your stuff.
At the crack of dawn you know you get on up,
You put the hot black coffee in your cup.
You say a little prayer should the day get rough,
Then you step on out, man, and strut your stuff
The song "Strut" by The Elms can be interpreted as a rallying cry for perseverance and resilience in the face of hard times. The lyrics describe the struggles of a working-class man who has faced financial and personal setbacks, but chooses to take pride in his appearance and continue to "strut" despite adversity. The repeated refrain of "strut your stuff" becomes a mantra for self-empowerment and defiance against difficult circumstances.
The first verse sets the scene for the song's theme, as the singer stands in his front yard and reflects on the challenges facing him. The second verse elaborates on his financial struggles, with references to the stock market crash and a worthless house. Despite these setbacks, he maintains a tough exterior and resolve to persevere. The chorus repeats throughout the song, encouraging the listener to join in and "strut your stuff" with confidence and pride.
Overall, "Strut" uses the image of strutting as a symbol of resilience and perseverance against tough times. The song can be seen as an anthem for the working-class, encouraging listeners to keep their head up and keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk out and stand in-a my front yard,
The singer steps outside and observes that times are tough.
It's plain to see that the times are hard.
The state of the times is very evident to the singer.
What's a man to do when he's had enough?
The singer questions what options exist for someone who has reached their limit.
You put on your boots and you strut your stuff.
In difficult times, it's important to maintain confidence and strength.
I bet on the market, that done crashed.
The singer invested in a market that failed.
I bought me a house, but it ain't worth trash.
Despite purchasing a home, its value has greatly diminished.
Baby, I don't care, long as I stay tough.
The singer doesn't care about the current state of his home, as long as he remains strong through it all.
'Till it turns around, I'm gonna strut my stuff.
Until the situation improves, the singer will continue to display confidence and strength.
Come on, strut your stuff.
The singer encourages others to display strength and confidence as well.
I got a call today from the hometown bank,
The singer received news from his local bank.
And I got no fuel left in the tank.
The singer is exhausted and can't continue to push any further.
Well the scene looks bad but sure enough,
Despite the negative outlook, the singer remains resilient.
Gonna go out today and strut my stuff.
The singer will maintain his confidence and strength.
At the crack of dawn you know you get on up,
The day starts bright and early.
You put the hot black coffee in your cup.
The singer prepares his morning cup of coffee.
You say a little prayer should the day get rough,
The singer seeks guidance and strength for the day ahead.
Then you step on out, man, and strut your stuff
After preparing for the day, it's important to walk with confidence and resilience.
Contributed by Kayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.