In December 2005 The Maple State flew out to Chicago to record new material with Sean O'Keefe (Fall out Boy, Hawthorne Heights) and Joshua Caine (Motion City Soundtrack), also playing at First Avenue in Minnesota with Motion City Soundtrack. At the end of the year Big Cheese magazine named The Maple State 'Best British Newcomer' in their annual reader’s poll.
In 2006 the band released a spilt EP with Kneehigh and toured throughout the year with Say Anything, The Academy Is..and Get cape. Wear cape. Fly.
In the summer of 2006 the band recorded a single with Andy Gill (Gang of Four) but apparently due to legal complications the songs were not released. At the end of 2006 the band signed with Manchester Indie label; High Voltage Sounds and in February 2007 they released the Joanna EP, the songs on this release were far-removed from the emo-rock songs the band had started out with taking on a slower more mature sound, but the single 'Joanna' received radio play across the UK and the band were invited by Mark Hoppus to support his band +44 on their European tour.
In summer 2007 Richard Higginbottom who was a long time friend of the band joined on guitar and they began writing material for their album. The band released an EP entitled Say, Scientist on High Voltage Sounds in February 2008 to consistently strong reviews from the likes of NME and Rocksound, this EP marked a return to the faster passed and more energetic sound the band started out with and the first single We Swear By the Light Life was released in December 2007. The second single Temperate Lives was released in April 2008 and has been the bands most successful to date, with the song making national radio playlists and the video receiving regular play on MTV2 - reaching number 6 in the MTV2 chart. At the end of 2008 Temperate Lives was named single of the year by the Manchester Evening News.
Brother
The Maple State Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing on the front lawn
You said you want to be alone
But your not fooling anyone
We'll wait for your brother to call
Cause he wont be long
So no one ever came through
Believe me I can sympathise
But they'll be bigger things than this in life
Wait for your brother to call
Cause he wont be long
Wait for your brother to call
Cause he wont be long
We found you in your night clothes
Standing on the front lawn
You said you want to be alone
But your not fooling anyone
Wait for your brother to call
Cause he wont be long
Wait for your brother to call
Cause he wont be long
So no one ever came through
You don't achieve what you set out to do
Believe me I can sympathise
But they'll be bigger things than this in life
Wait for your brother to call
Cause he wont be long
Wait for your brother to call
Cause he wont be long
The Maple State's song Brother is a soulful, melodic reflection on isolation and loneliness. The song appears to be about a person, potentially in the midst of a mental health crisis, who is standing alone on a front lawn despite claiming to want to be alone. The singer of the song is waiting for the person's brother to arrive, suggesting that the person is not truly meant to be alone in this difficult moment.
The lyrics are straightforward and poignant, with a clear message of hope and empathy. The singer seems to have experienced their own struggles and is able to sympathize with the person who is struggling in the present. They offer a statement of encouragement and perspective, reminding the person that there are "bigger things than this in life."
Overall, Brother is a beautifully crafted song that captures a moment of vulnerability and celebrates the power of connection and compassion.
Line by Line Meaning
We found you in your night clothes
We discovered you wearing your sleepwear
Standing on the front lawn
Positioned on the grass in front of your house
You said you want to be alone
You declared your desire for solitude
But your not fooling anyone
However, your pretense is not convincing anyone
We'll wait for your brother to call
We'll linger until your sibling contacts us
Cause he wont be long
Because we assume he will arrive shortly
So no one ever came through
So unfortunately, no one arrived
You don't achieve what you set out to do
You weren't able to accomplish your objectives
Believe me I can sympathise
Trust me, I can relate to your situation
But they'll be bigger things than this in life
However, there will be more significant events in existence
Wait for your brother to call
Be patient for your brother to contact us
Cause he wont be long
Because we predict he will promptly call
Wait for your brother to call
Hold on for your brother to telephone us
Cause he wont be long
Because we anticipate a prompt response
We found you in your night clothes
We discovered you wearing your sleepwear
Standing on the front lawn
Positioned on the grass in front of your house
You said you want to be alone
You declared your desire for solitude
But your not fooling anyone
However, your pretense is not convincing anyone
Wait for your brother to call
Be patient for your brother to contact us
Cause he wont be long
Because we predict he will immediately call
Wait for your brother to call
Stay put for your brother to call us
Cause he wont be long
Because we believe he will contact us shortly
So no one ever came through
So sadly, no one arrived
You don't achieve what you set out to do
You were unsuccessful in achieving your goals
Believe me I can sympathise
Trust me, I can understand your feelings
But they'll be bigger things than this in life
However, there will be more important events in existence
Wait for your brother to call
Be patient for your sibling to contact us
Cause he wont be long
Because we expect him to call shortly
Wait for your brother to call
Hold on for your brother to telephone us
Cause he wont be long
Because we predict he will quickly call
Contributed by Camilla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sandy shamus
well it only took 15 years, but im finally admitting i like you guys
sandy shamus
@Chala 1 i used to play gigs alongside them back when they were 'Joe's Steakhouse'.. good old days
Craig Parkinson
Yes lads! Fantastic!
Gallus Events & Virtual Event Campus
Bought two tunes and dropped them into my iTunes next to We Sware By The Light and Say, Scientist EPs!
Gareth Wells
10/10 Lads