The Morning Benders is a band from Berkeley, California, formed in 2005, consisting of Julian Harmon, Tim Or, Jonathan Chu, and Christopher Chu. In 2008, they released their debut album Talking Through Tin Cans on +1 Records. The band has toured in support of Broken Bells (Spring/Summer 2010), Grizzly Bear (Fall 2009), The Kooks and Death Cab for Cutie (Summer 2008), Ra Ra Riot (Fall 2008), The Black Keys (Summer 2010), and has also played with Yo La Tengo, MGMT, Grand Archives, Yeasayer, Two Gallants, The Rosebuds, Au Revoir Simone, We Are Scientists, and White Rabbits. They also toured with The Submarines in 2009. Having shared the stage with other bands such as Beach House, MGMT, Ra Ra Riot, Grizzly Bear and Girls, these boys are seasoned vets. Don’t let their age deceive you.
In December 2008, iTunes deemed Talking Through Tin Cans the best indie/alternative album of 2008.
The Morning Benders recorded their 2010 album Big Echo in San Francisco and mixed it in Brookyln. Chris Chu and Chris Taylor (Grizzly Bear) produced it in eleven days. On the twelfth day they rejoiced. There are 10 tracks on Big Echo, which The Morning Benders think is an ideal length for an album.
In March of 2012 the band announced that they would be changing their name to POP ETC.
Loose Change
The Morning Benders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't go, I know that you know
Don't let me down softly
Well, this all happened on a sunny day
You still couldn't see it when it was just a half an inch away
Staring you right in the face saying,
"Why can't you just say what you mean?
Shuffling sideways
There's no way to get home
You're so slippery, frozen, ice cold, alone
Now I see that you're expression has changed
Are you wishing you saved my place?
You're standing on the ocean floor
Wondering what you could have said before
But why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?
Well I've been working too many hours
Only for your loose change
The place is messy, complicated
And it only gets you back out
And I want out
Why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?
In “Loose Change,” by The Morning Benders, the lyrics describe a relationship and the challenges that come with it. The first verse starts with the singer asking their partner to be honest with them and show them what they need to change. The second half refers to the partner leaving, asking them not to hurt them while doing so.
The second verse starts with an image of a sunny day where the partner could not see a problem that was right in front of them. Then, the singer asks why the partner cannot say what they mean, hinting at the communication issues in the relationship. The third verse describes the singer’s frustration with the work they are doing, potentially because it is only for their partner’s “loose change.” The song ends with the repetition of the question of why the partner cannot say what they mean.
The theme of communication runs throughout the song, as the singer seems to feel like they are not being heard or understood by their partner. The repetition of the question in the chorus drives home this idea, emphasizing the importance of clear and honest communication in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Be my mirror; show me what I can change
Reflect my flaws and shortcomings, so that I can better myself
Don't go, I know that you know
Please don't leave, I know that you understand
Don't let me down softly
Don't sugarcoat the truth, be honest with me
Well, this all happened on a sunny day
This pivotal moment in our relationship occurred during a bright and positive time
You still couldn't see it when it was just a half an inch away
Despite the obviousness of the situation, you were unable to recognize it
Staring you right in the face saying,
The truth was blatantly obvious and apparent
"Why can't you just say what you mean?
"Please be straightforward and honest with me
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?"
Why do you struggle to express your true thoughts and emotions?
Shuffling sideways
Feeling unsure and hesitant
There's no way to get home
Feeling lost and directionless
You're so slippery, frozen, ice cold, alone
You are evasive, distant, and isolated in your emotions
Now I see that you're expression has changed
I notice a shift in your mood and attitude
Are you wishing you saved my place?
Do you regret taking my role or position in our relationship?
You're standing on the ocean floor
You are in an unfamiliar and emotionally overwhelming situation
Wondering what you could have said before
Reflecting on what you wish you had communicated earlier
Well I've been working too many hours
I have been dedicating too much time and effort towards our relationship
Only for your loose change
I am doing all of this for very little in return
The place is messy, complicated
Our situation is disorganized and convoluted
And it only gets you back out
It seems like nothing I do is making any progress in our relationship
And I want out
I am ready to end this relationship
Why can't you just say what you mean?
Why do you struggle to express your true thoughts and emotions?
Why can't you say what you mean?
Please be straightforward and honest with me
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?
Why do you struggle to express your true thoughts and emotions?
Contributed by Savannah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Puspa Larasati
Be my mirror, show me what I can change
Don't go, I know that you know
Don't let me down softly
Well, this all happened on a sunny day
You still couldn't see it when it was just a half an inch away
Staring you right in the face saying
"Why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?"
Shuffling sideways
There's no way to get home
You're so slippery, frozen, ice cold, alone
Now I see that your expression has changed
Are you wishing you saved my place?
You're standing on the ocean floor
Wondering what you could have said before
But why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?
Well I've been working too many hours
Only for your loose change
The place is messy, complicated
And it only gets you back out
And I want out
Why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?
Puspa Larasati
Be my mirror; show me what I can change
Don't go, I know that you know
Don't let me down softly
Well, this all happened on a sunny day
You still couldn't see it
When it was just a half an inch away
Staring you right in the face saying,
"Why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?"
Shuffling sideways
There's no way to get home
You're so slippery, frozen, ice cold, alone
Now I see that you're expression has changed
Are you wishing you saved my place?
You're standing on the ocean floor
Wondering what you could have said before
But why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?
Well I've been working too many hours
Only for your loose change
The place is messy, complicated
And it only gets you back out
And I want out
Why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Chu Chris W
Puspa Larasati
Be my mirror, show me what I can change
Don't go, I know that you know
Don't let me down softly
Well, this all happened on a sunny day
You still couldn't see it when it was just a half an inch away
Staring you right in the face saying
"Why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?"
Shuffling sideways
There's no way to get home
You're so slippery, frozen, ice cold, alone
Now I see that your expression has changed
Are you wishing you saved my place?
You're standing on the ocean floor
Wondering what you could have said before
But why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?
Well I've been working too many hours
Only for your loose change
The place is messy, complicated
And it only gets you back out
And I want out
Why can't you just say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean?
Why can't you say what you mean, baby?
juan F
"you still couldnt see it when it was just a half an inch away staring you right in the face, saying why cant you just say what you mean"
yup, perfect description of my love life
Mich P
they do not make "cruddy pop music" now. the albums sound different. thats to be expected from any band.
tanheel09
The last three chorddddss <3 godfucking damn it I love this song.
mean
I'm not very good with girls and this song speaks to me.
Muck Bucket
Some aspects of this song remind me of Floridada by Animal Collective. Fuckin adore The Morning Benders btw
tinypaperboat
They're just going through an experimental phase. They do not make cruddy pop music.
LexorTheUber
This song is helping.
Dan Grant
man they WERE so great, and as i respect their choice to change i am disgusted by pop etc songs. so very sad.
Zupahman1
You just HAD to jinx it, didn't you?