Diehard romantics with a sarcastic streak, The Love Language take a heartfelt approach to the rattle and hum of their orchestral pop.
The Love Language is Stuart McLamb (electric guitar, vocals), Jordan McLamb (percussion, vocals), Missy Thangs (keyboard, vocals), Justin Rodermond (bass guitar, vocals), BJ Burton (Electric guitar, vocals).
Manteo
The Love Language Lyrics
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When I said my first goodbye
My angel she had frozen feet
The day that I arrived
Take your chances hustlin'
Or work a nine-to-five
If we don't get busted
Manteo, got me tonight
A pluck of feather a clip of wing
You'll forget that it hurts
I used to keep my nose clean
But now I just sleep in the dirt
And I got a coat of colors
I wear it very nice
I know you get what you paid for
I never even thought twice
Manteo, got me tonight
Chesapeake, I could barely speak
When I said my first goodbye
My angel she had frozen feet
The day that I arrived
So we took our chances bustin'
Our pinata valentine
You had a boy you trusted
And I had a heart for of lives
Manteo, this is goodbye
The Love Language's song Manteo is a cryptic yet powerful expression of a bittersweet goodbye. The lyricist seems to be reminiscing about a past relationship and the struggles that they had to go through to stay together. The song starts with the reference to the Chesapeake, a region in the eastern United States that is known for its beautiful vistas and seafaring history. The implication is that the singer has a history here, but it is a painful one. They could barely speak when they had to say goodbye to their loved one, and the fact that their angel has frozen feet on the day of his arrival suggests that their love was doomed from the start.
The second verse makes reference to the concept of hustling versus taking the traditional nine-to-five job. It seems like the singer and their loved one are both aware of the precariousness of their situation and the risks they're taking to stay together. The line "if we don't get busted, we may get out alive" suggests that they need to stay under the radar to prevent their relationship from being discovered or ruined.
The third verse is the most cryptic, but it seems to suggest that the singer has changed since the start of the relationship. They used to keep their nose clean, presumably out of fear or caution, but now they sleep in the dirt. They have also acquired a coat of colors that they wear nicely, which could be a metaphor for a new sense of confidence or self-assuredness. Overall, the song is a beautiful and poignant expression of the pain and regret that come with saying goodbye to someone you love.
Line by Line Meaning
Chesapeake, I could barely speak
When I said my first goodbye
Leaving Chesapeake was so emotional that I could barely find the words to say goodbye.
My angel she had frozen feet
The day that I arrived
When I got to her, my love was hesitant and unsure, unable to move forward.
Take your chances hustlin'
Or work a nine-to-five
If we don't get busted
We may get out alive
We have two choices: take our chances with something uncertain or settle for a more stable, but perhaps unfulfilling routine. Either way, survival is key.
Manteo, got me tonight
Manteo has captured and enraptured me completely.
A pluck of feather a clip of wing
You'll forget that it hurts
I used to keep my nose clean
But now I just sleep in the dirt
And I got a coat of colors
I wear it very nice
I know you get what you paid for
I never even thought twice
Over time, I've experienced many different joys and obstacles in life, which have made me wiser but also more willing to take risks. I know the value of a good investment, but sometimes it's necessary to take a risk without thinking too much.
So we took our chances bustin'
Our pinata valentine
You had a boy you trusted
And I had a heart for of lives
Together, we threw caution to the wind and took our chances in love, despite inevitable pain or hardship. I knew I could trust you, and you knew I had the heart to see it through.
Manteo, this is goodbye
Sadly, our time in Manteo has come to an end, and we must say goodbye to each other and this place that has meant so much to us.
Contributed by Caleb M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.