The Honorary Title was a rock band from Brooklyn, New Yo… Read Full Bio ↴(2003-2009)
The Honorary Title was a rock band from Brooklyn, New York composed of Jarrod Gorbel, Aaron Kamstra, Jon Wiley, and Adam Boyd. Gorbel became known for his dark sense of humor, which often worked its way into the band's songs.
Their first release was a self-titled EP. They received much attention and did major touring after they released a full length album on Doghouse Records in 2004 entitled, "Anything Else But the Truth". The album was recorded in Nashville and New York with producer Roger Moutenot who has also worked with Yo La Tengo and Guster. Videos are available for the singles "Everything I Once Had", "Bridge and Tunnel", & "Frame by Frame".
On October 24, 2009 Jarrod announced that The Honorary Title would play their final show on Friday, November 20, 2009. Gorbel released a solo EP called Ten Years Older on his 2010 acoustic tour with Dustin Dobernig. In an interview with weworemasks.com, Gorbel says, "It’s considered a solo session, but…The Honorary Title might be over." He also said he is working on a solo LP. He continues to record and play music, but under his name.
Soft Pale and Pure
The Honorary Title Lyrics
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Play some pool or watch her smoking cigarette after cigarette
And I sit from afar drinking water down here
Familiar smells help recollect the years, recollect the years
'Cause I've been thinking of this place forever, I know
It's all that I, I've come to know
As I slowly, I lose control, slowly I lose
Soft, pale, and pure and himself pink
In a skin of pink that would blossom in a rain
Perfection stands alone
Waiting for the buzz
Pure and pale and innocent
Not yet wearing the scars
And your face consumes all the attention
Your shape is collecting gazes
Bent over the pool table, I watch as you
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a
Drink to think that I've accomplished something
But I've been thinking of this place forever, I know
It's all that I, I've come to know
As I slowly, I lose control
Slowly, I lose
Soft, pale, and pure and himself pink
In a skin of pink that would blossom in a rain
Walking the path I thought you might have that night
For what seemed like forever
Took off all your clothes, the clothes that I chose
Drank myself into this situation
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a
(What a joke)
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a
(My life, has become, a joke)
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a
(My life, has become, a joke)
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a
(My life, has become, a joke)
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a joke
(My life, has become)
The lyrics to The Honorary Title's song "Soft Pale and Pure" depict a moment in time where the singer is in a bar observing a woman playing pool and smoking cigarettes. The setting is familiar to the singer, as the smells of the bar remind him of days past. He has been thinking about this place for a long time and it is all that he knows. As he watches the woman, he feels out of control and starts to drink in order to feel accomplished. However, he comes to the realization that his life has become a joke, and he has not accomplished anything.
The chorus of the song is where the title "Soft Pale and Pure" is introduced. The singer describes the woman as being "soft, pale, and pure" and emerging like a "skin of pink that would blossom in a rain." These descriptors are juxtaposed against the dark and dingy bar, perhaps implying that the woman is an ethereal figure in this environment. The theme of purity is continued later in the song when the singer describes the woman as being "pure and pale and innocent" and "not yet wearing the scars."
Overall, the song portrays a sense of longing for something unattainable and a struggle with feeling accomplished. The setting of the bar and the woman the singer observes symbolize this unattainable dream. The singer feels as though his life has become a joke because he has not accomplished anything despite his attempts to drink and feel fulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
Evening begins with a page to invite you in
The night starts with an invitation to a certain place or memory.
Play some pool or watch her smoking cigarette after cigarette
Engage in activities such as playing pool or watching someone smoke cigarettes.
And I sit from afar drinking water down here
Watch the scene happen from a distance while drinking water.
Familiar smells help recollect the years, recollect the years
The familiar scent brings back past memories and nostalgia.
'Cause I've been thinking of this place forever, I know
The place has been on the mind for a long time.
It's all that I, I've come to know
The place is familiar and known to the individual.
As I slowly, I lose control, slowly I lose
Slowly losing grip on the situation.
Soft, pale, and pure and himself pink
Describing the tender appearance of something pink.
In a skin of pink that would blossom in a rain
The pink skin is delicate and could bloom beautifully in the rain.
Perfection stands alone
The idea of perfection is isolated and independent.
Waiting for the buzz
Waiting for a certain feeling or sensation.
Pure and pale and innocent
Describing something that is pure, frail, and lacks guilt or experience.
Not yet wearing the scars
Not having experienced the hardships or negative consequences of life yet.
And your face consumes all the attention
All focus is on the individual's face.
Your shape is collecting gazes
The person's body is captivating and attracts attention.
Bent over the pool table, I watch as you
Observing someone leaning over a pool table.
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a
Using alcohol to feel like something has been achieved.
But I've been thinking of this place forever, I know
The place has been on the mind for a long time.
It's all that I, I've come to know
The place is familiar and known to the individual.
As I slowly, I lose control
Slowly losing grip on the situation.
Slowly, I lose
Gradually losing control or influence over the situation.
Walking the path I thought you might have that night
Following a path in hopes of encountering an individual from a past memory.
For what seemed like forever
Feeling like a long time has passed.
Took off all your clothes, the clothes that I chose
The individual undressed from clothes that were picked out by the person singing the song.
Drank myself into this situation
Ending up in a situation due to excessive drinking.
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a (What a joke)
Using alcohol to feel like something has been achieved, but realizing it's not accomplishing anything.
My life, has become, a joke
Feeling like life is not going as planned, and becoming a joke or parody of one's self.
Drink to think that I've accomplished something, what a joke (My life, has become)
Using alcohol to feel like something has been accomplished, which is a joke, and highlighting the negative aspect of one's life.
Contributed by Sarah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.