During the early 2000s the band rose to prominence in the US Pacific Northwest punk / new wave scene with a combination of energetic live shows and extremely well received singles. The band drew their influence from early British punk bands like The Undertones, The Jam, The Boys and The Buzzcocks, as well as pop acts like Nick Lowe. The Exploding Hearts lead a revival of 70s power pop and new wave in the Seattle / Portland area along with bands like The Briefs and The Epoxies on the then-Seattle based Dirtnap Records.
On July 20th, 2003 the band was in an automotive accident which claimed the lives of three members. Their touring van flipped over on Interstate 5 just north of Eugene, Oregon while en route from San Francisco to Portland. Jeremy Gage (age 21) and Adam Cox (age 23) were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Matthew Fitzgerald (age 20), died at a hospital. Terry Six and band manager Rachelle Ramos both survived with minor injuries.
No attempts were made to carry on the band name after the accident, yet the band's music continued to gain popularity as word of mouth spread on the internet. Sole surviving member Terry Six went on to form The Nice Boys who are quite unlike the punk vibe of his former band and take on more of a 70s glam sensibility. In his current band, Six is the lead singer as well as the lead guitar player.
Throwaway Style
The Exploding Hearts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm in bed till two
Heat fogs up the window, summer's over
No longer, can we rendez-vous.
Weeds have grown over our camp site,
I know 'cause I sleep their every night,
Without you.
I helped you pack your station wagon, saw you..off back to Seattle.
You said it'd break his heart if he finds out, but girl he's gonna find out, what love is all about..Oh yeah.
Weeds have grown over our camp site,
I know 'cause I sleep their every night,
Without you.
I know our love is over, unless you come over, make it right, baby come over.
I saw your sister at the market, she said you were back in town for awhile.
She could tell by my face, I didnt know that,
She took my hand and said "Boy I could make you smile."
Weeds have grown over our camp site,
I know 'cause I slept there just last night,
Without you.
I know our love is over, unless you come over, make it alright, stay the night, oh baby come over.
In The Exploding Hearts' song Throwaway Style, the singer is struggling to move on from a past lover. The opening lines make it clear that the singer is struggling to find motivation to even get out of bed in the morning, suggesting that they are in a depressive state. The reference to the heat fogging up the window and the acknowledgement that summer is over adds to this sense of desolation. The singer then reveals that they used to have a "rendez-vous" (a meeting) with their lover but that they cannot anymore. This is echoed later in the song when the singer laments that "our love is over".
The image of weeds growing over the campsite is used as a metaphor for the disintegration of the couple's relationship. The singer even sleeps in the abandoned campsite, highlighting their sense of isolation and loneliness. The lyric "I helped you pack your station wagon, saw you..off back to Seattle" suggests that the relationship ended because the lover had to leave. The indication that the lover is now back in town allows a glimmer of hope for the singer, but the lyrics also imply that another man is in the picture. The sister's offer to "make you smile" implies that the singer might be looking for comfort in someone new.
Overall, the song is a poignant depiction of heartbreak and the struggle to move on from a failed relationship. The singer is stuck in a rut and unable to move on, even though they acknowledge that the relationship is over. The references to empty campsite, desolate summer and the weeds overtaking it all evoke a feeling of longing and emptiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I should wake up in the morning
I feel like I should start a new day but I can't get myself to leave the bed.
But I'm in bed till two
I sleep in bed until two o'clock in the afternoon.
Heat fogs up the window, summer's over
It's so hot that the window is fogging up, indicating that summer has come to an end.
No longer, can we rendez-vous.
We can no longer meet up like we used to.
Weeds have grown over our camp site,
The place where we used to camp is now overgrown with weeds.
I know 'cause I sleep there every night,
I know this is true because I still go there to sleep every night.
Without you.
Without you being there with me.
I helped you pack your station wagon, saw you..off back to Seattle.
I assisted you in packing the things in your car and watched you drive back to Seattle.
You said it'd break his heart if he finds out, but girl he's gonna find out, what love is all about..Oh yeah.
You told me that it would hurt his feelings if he knew about us, but one day he will understand what it means to truly love somebody.
I know our love is over, unless you come over, make it right, baby come over.
I'm aware that our relationship is finished unless you come and fix things, please come over.
I saw your sister at the market, she said you were back in town for awhile.
I ran into your sister at the market and she told me that you're back in town for a bit.
She could tell by my face, I didn't know that,
Your sister could read from my facial expression that I was not aware of your return.
She took my hand and said "Boy I could make you smile."
She held my hand and said, "I could make you happy."
I know our love is over, unless you come over, make it alright, stay the night, oh baby come over.
I'm fully aware that our love affair is extinguished unless you make it right, stay with me tonight, please come over.
Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cheek Kiss
I don't think i'll ever get sick of this band. All time favorite! I think i'ma grow old blasting this in my neighborhood XD
Kayla Spence
One of those albums you can just start and let play all the way through….. So good. Great way to start the day to get goin.
Opa Groupa
on this anniversary of their record being released I contemplated & think back on my good friends that where once lost and lived with... you all have been missed very much. hope your doing good Terry.
William
the greatest song of all time, my favourite anyway
Chris Geonetta
everytime i put this album on i hope ot never ends
Mausoleum picnic
still roll these jams out weekly. Wish it wouldn't have ended
Stevo Strummer Matic
Love this record!
A M
I love you explodin’ hearts!!!!!
Connor Schake
RIP!!!!!!!!!! I'm still here for you all
Spectral V
She took my hand and said BOY I COULD MAKE YOU SMILE