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.
Promises
The Morning Benders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We shit our shoulders are in deep
Pulling us to the light
Toasted our backs in the sun
And I waited for the next call
We got all out ears pressed against the wall
But now our days are set straight
The balance is still chasing after
Just hanging on as you walk by
And they say it's only natural
They say we're coming along just fine
But I can't help thinking we grew up too fast
And I know, I know, I know this won't last,
a second longer than it has.
Children you will, be cared for at once
And wanted our arms like promises plucked from above
This world is only getting smaller
The choices aren't ours to be made
And I to my days
I feel like wasting my days
And I can't see what's coming on
And I can't say it will all be fine
No I can't help thinking we grew up too fast
No I can't help thinking we grew up too fast
And I know, I know, I know this won't last,
a second longer than it has
In Promises, The Morning Benders delve into the topic of growing up too fast and how it can make one feel trapped and overwhelmed. The lyrics reference the weight of responsibility and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The opening lines, "This spirit is holding us down, we shit our shoulders are in deep" create a vivid image of the burden that the responsibilities of adulthood can be. The following lines, "Pulling us to the light, toasted our backs in the sun" suggest that despite the challenges and struggles, there are moments of joy and hope.
As the song progresses, the band reflects on the dichotomy of being told that they are "coming along just fine" and feeling as if they are stuck in a state of limbo, just "hanging on as you walk by". The chorus, "Children you will, be cared for at once and wanted our arms like promises plucked from above" speaks to the need for reassurance and comfort in times of uncertainty. Ultimately, the song conveys a sense of resignation, as the band realizes that they "can't see what's coming on" and that their childhood is far behind them. They express frustration that "this won't last, a second longer than it has" and a longing for the carefree days of youth.
Overall, Promises is a poignant meditation on the challenges of growing up and the nostalgic longing for simpler times. The song's haunting melody and introspective lyrics have resonated with audiences since its release in 2008.
Line by Line Meaning
This spirit is holding us down
We feel burdened and weighed down by a force beyond our control.
We shift our shoulders are in deep
The weight of our problems is affecting us physically, causing us to carry the burden with our shoulders slumped.
Pulling us to the light
The force that weighs us down is actually leading us towards enlightenment and understanding.
Toasted our backs in the sun
We have basked in moments of happiness, but they're in the past now.
And I waited for the next call
We wait eagerly for signs of hope, a new chance at happiness.
We got all out ears pressed against the wall
We are listening intently and anxiously for any signs of change or escape from our problems.
But now our days are set straight
We have come to terms with our reality and the problems we face.
We're seeing it all eye to eye
We are acknowledging the true state of things without denial.
The balance is still chasing after
We are striving for internal balance and inner peace, but it still eludes us.
Just hanging on as you walk by
We are watching others pass us by, their lives seemingly easier and happier than ours.
And they say it's only natural
Others say our struggle is common and to be expected.
They say we're coming along just fine
Others believe we are coping and making progress as we should be.
But I can't help thinking we grew up too fast
Despite what others say, we feel we have been thrust into adulthood too soon and without adequate preparation.
And I know, I know, I know this won't last, a second longer than it has.
We know that our current situation is temporary and we just need to hold on until things improve.
Children you will, be cared for at once
We wish for the type of carefree life that children have, with no burden or responsibility.
And wanted our arms like promises plucked from above
We long for comfort and reassurance that help will arrive soon, like a sign from a higher power.
This world is only getting smaller
We feel trapped and confined in our world with no escape.
The choices aren't ours to be made
We feel like we have no control over our life and tough decisions are not within our reach.
And I to my days
We feel stuck and unable to make the necessary changes to better our situation.
I feel like wasting my days
We feel like we are not using our time efficiently and are just letting it slip away without any real progress.
And I can't see what's coming on
We feel unable to anticipate what lies ahead and the uncertainty is unsettling.
And I can't say it will all be fine
We are unable to pretend that things will magically improve overnight or even in the near future.
No I can't help thinking we grew up too fast
We keep coming back to the realization that our problems stem from the fact that we were not given the time or resources to adequately prepare for adulthood.
And I know, I know, I know this won't last, a second longer than it has
We are certain that our current struggles are only temporary and that we just have to persevere until circumstances improve.
Contributed by Jayce E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@empteacher4874
Lyrics:
This spirit is holding us down
Pushin' our shoulders in deep
Pulling us through the lines
Toasting our backs in the sun
Now I'm waiting to hear my next call
We got all out ears pressed against the wall
But now our gaze is set straight
We're seeing it all eye to eye
While balance is still chasing after
Just hanging on as we walk by
And they say it's only natural
They say we're coming along just fine
But I can't help thinking we grew up too fast
And I know, I know, I know this won't last
A second longer than it has
Children you will
Be cared for at once
And warmed in our arms like promises plucked from above
This world is only getting smaller
The choices aren't ours to be made
I meant to waste all my days
I feel like wasting my days
And I've seen what's coming on
And I can't say it will all be fine
Yet I can't help thinking we grew up too fast, no
No, I can't help thinking we grew up too fast, no
And I know, I know, I know this won't last
A second longer than it has to
@christophermaxieii8727
This album is soooo effing good. I've constantly revisited it.
@empteacher4874
Lyrics:
This spirit is holding us down
Pushin' our shoulders in deep
Pulling us through the lines
Toasting our backs in the sun
Now I'm waiting to hear my next call
We got all out ears pressed against the wall
But now our gaze is set straight
We're seeing it all eye to eye
While balance is still chasing after
Just hanging on as we walk by
And they say it's only natural
They say we're coming along just fine
But I can't help thinking we grew up too fast
And I know, I know, I know this won't last
A second longer than it has
Children you will
Be cared for at once
And warmed in our arms like promises plucked from above
This world is only getting smaller
The choices aren't ours to be made
I meant to waste all my days
I feel like wasting my days
And I've seen what's coming on
And I can't say it will all be fine
Yet I can't help thinking we grew up too fast, no
No, I can't help thinking we grew up too fast, no
And I know, I know, I know this won't last
A second longer than it has to
@tbit4
Really creative mind its a Beutiful song talent shuldn't take a break it shuld get recognized
@qprmadd
absolutely brilliant song, can't wait for this band to tour the UK! stunning!
@StrangerToEarth
This song crept up on me when I wasn't looking and STABBED ME WITH AWESOME.
@johnjones882
I can't believe that these guys aren't bigger. There isn't one bad song on Big Echo
@mhgonline
Love this song, yes just for the music, but also for the lyrics. " I can't help but think we grew up too fast." Too true...!
@momo4peaches
You guys are putting too much thought into this. It's an awesome song, that's all I need to know. =)
@charlottesometimes07
I love this song. I can listen to it over , and over consecutively.
@ericrules42
I ranked Big Echo as my number one album of 2010. It is amazing, start to finish.