Formed in 1985, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started playing in Boston clubs in the mid-1980s. After a brief period of inactivity due to the schooling commitments of its members, they reformed and released their album Devil's Night Out on Taang! Records. The Bosstones toured relentlessly throughout the 1990s, playing hundreds of shows a year, releasing albums and spinning off the popular rock radio hit "Someday I Suppose". They were eventually signed to Mercury Records. The band appeared in the movie Clueless. In 1997, the success of their single "The Impression That I Get" and its follow up, "The Rascal King" earned them mainstream recognition. In 2000 they put out their critically acclaimed disk Pay Attention. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released their last album on Side One Dummy Records. They officially went on hiatus in 2003, citing too much time on the road and desire to branch out and do different things. In 2007, the Bosstones announced that they were reforming. They played their 10th Hometown Throwdown in Boston and released a new album, Medium Rare, which consists of rare B-sides, and 3 new songs, including the single, "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker".
The band announced their split in early 2022.
What Was Was Over
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
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I feel like my father at the horse track
When he's down to his last sawbuck
Do I really want to step in here,
I'm not as sure as I appear
Tell me should we make this move
And if it seems pathetic, pardon me
Thought it over
Thought I'd walk over
And over coffee we could chat
But then,
Then I thought again 'cause what was was over
And now I know that
Thought I'd call, we could talk it over
I knew that wouldn't work out somehow
What was was over and I should just get over
And that is where I'm at right now
I'm really glad that you are here
What could be could beat what was
We are is at any rate,
I'm really glad that you are here
Thought it over, thought I'd walk over
And over coffee we could chat
But then,
Then I though again
'Cause what was was over now I know that
Thought I'd call we could talk it over
I knew that wouldn't work somehow
What was was over and I should just get over
And that is where I'm at right now
And we are is because
What was is now was
Pray for rain, it never does
And after all that we've done been through is is gonna have to do
And we are is because
What was is now was
Pray for rain, it never does
And after all we've been through is
Is gonna have to do
The song "What Was Was Over" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones is a reflective piece that revolves around the theme of moving on from the past. The opening lines speak to the hesitation that is felt when attempting to leave the past behind. The singer is unsure if they want to step into the present, questioning whether or not they should make a move. The uncertainty of the situation is highlighted by the analogy of the singer's father at the horse track with his last bit of cash.
As the song progresses, the singer considers the various ways they might have attempted to reconnect with the past, but it quickly becomes clear that these efforts would not be successful. The line "Thought I'd call, we could talk it over / I knew that wouldn't work out somehow" shows the resignation that the singer feels about the situation. The repetition of the phrase "What was was over" reinforces this idea - there is no going back, only forward.
However, the song is not entirely bleak. The singer is thankful for what they have in the present, saying "I'm really glad that you are here / What could be could beat what was." The final section of the song acknowledges that while the past is important, it is ultimately the present that shapes us. Despite the difficulties that may arise, "we are is because / What was is now was."
Overall, "What Was Was Over" is a thoughtful meditation on the power of the past and the importance of moving forward. It conveys a sense of uncertainty and melancholy, but ultimately offers a hopeful message about the potential for growth and change.
Line by Line Meaning
Do I really want to step in here?
Am I sure I want to get involved in this situation?
I feel like my father at the horse track
I feel like I'm taking a big risk with uncertain outcomes.
When he's down to his last sawbuck
When he only has a small amount of money left to bet.
I'm not as sure as I appear
I'm not as confident as I may seem.
Tell me should we make this move
Can you advise me on whether or not we should proceed?
And if it seems pathetic, pardon me
And if my question seems weak or foolish, forgive me.
Thought it over
I've considered the situation carefully.
Thought I'd walk over
I considered going to talk to the person in question.
And over coffee we could chat
We could sit down and talk things out over a cup of coffee.
Then I thought again 'cause what was was over
I changed my mind because the past is behind us and cannot be changed.
And now I know that
I understand that now.
Thought I'd call, we could talk it over
I considered calling to discuss the matter further.
I knew that wouldn't work out somehow
I had a feeling it wouldn't go well if I did.
What was was over and I should just get over
I need to move on from what happened in the past.
And that is where I'm at right now
That's my current state of mind regarding this.
I'm really glad that you are here
I'm happy to have you with me right now.
What could be could beat what was
The present or future could be better than the past.
We are is at any rate,
We're together regardless of anything else.
But then, Then I though again
I had a change of mind.
'Cause what was was over now I know that
Because I realized that the past cannot be changed.
What was was over and I should just get over
I need to move forward from the past.
And that is where I'm at right now
That's my current emotional state.
What was is now was
The past is behind us now.
Pray for rain, it never does
Hoping for a change that is unlikely to happen.
And after all that we've done been through is is gonna have to do
We'll have to make do with what we have after everything that's happened.
And we are is because
We're together because of all we've been through.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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