The One AM Radio has released 3 full-lengths: This Too Will Pass (2007), A Name Writ In Water (2004), and The Hum of the Electric Air! (2002); a split 7" with Ted Leo, and a 7" on Troubleman Unlimited, as part of their Solo Singles Series (along with The Album Leaf, Bob Nanna, Tim Kinsella, Tara Jane O'Neil) and another split 7" with Jeromes Dream on Alone Records. The One AM Radio has remixed and been remixed by a number of other artists. Daedelus enlisted Hrishikesh as a guest collaborator for a track on his album Exquisite Corpse.
The son of Indian immigrants, Hrishikesh was born and raised in Massachusetts. After graduating from Yale, and after many brief stints in several cities, Hrishikesh eventually relocated to Los Angeles, where he currently resides.
Plans
The One AM Radio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of this narrow town
Where lives compete
Most let down
I'll be a fading ghost
A distant memory
Like things you fear the most
Don't ever speak of me
I'm gonna change my name
I'm gonna be a star
I'm gonna ditch the shame
Of who my parents are
And if ever if ever if ever
If ever someone asks where I've been
They'll say we never, we never, we never
We never saw the bastard again
No we never saw the bastard again
I am leaving here as fast as I can
I've seen the empty space
Behind my neighbors eyes
If you don't leave this place
Something inside you dies
I'm done eating dinner in the drive through parking lot
Listing all the things I've been called that I swear I'm not
That I swear I'm not
I swear if ever, if ever if ever
If ever someone asks where I've been
They'll say we never, we never, we never
We never saw the bastard again
Yeah if ever, if ever, if ever
If ever someone asks where I've been
They'll say we never, we never, we never
We never saw the bastard again
I am leaving here as fast as I can
Fuck this town and all the things I have been
I am leaving here as fast as I can
The One AM Radio's song Plans is a powerful reflection on the longing to escape from a narrow and oppressive life in a small town. The lyrics represent a longing for change and the desire to escape from the trappings of a life that is not fulfilling. The singer in the song has seen the empty space behind their neighbor's eyes and realizes that remaining in the town will lead to a slow death of the soul. They plan to leave quickly and never look back, leaving behind a memory like a fading ghost.
The lyrics express a desire for transformation, with the singer planning to change their name and become a star, abandoning their family and the shame associated with them. They refuse to be defined by the labels imposed upon them by others and are determined to make their own path. The repetition of the refrain “If ever someone asks where I've been, they'll say we never saw the bastard again” emphasizes the finality of the singer’s decision to leave and never return.
Overall, The One AM Radio's song Plans is a poignant exploration of the desire to escape from an oppressive and unfulfilling life, opting instead for the potential freedom offered by taking risks and making changes.
Line by Line Meaning
From the narrow streets
Starting from the confining streets of this restricted town
Of this narrow town
In a town of small-mindedness and limited opportunity
Where lives compete
Where people struggle to succeed and survive
Most let down
A majority of them end up disappointed and unfulfilled
I'll be a fading ghost
I will disappear without a trace
A distant memory
And be remembered only as something vague and far off
Like things you fear the most
Similar to the things that haunt your nightmares
Don't ever speak of me
I don't want to be mentioned or remembered by anyone
I'm gonna change my name
I will alter my identity
I'm gonna be a star
And become an accomplished, well-known person
I'm gonna ditch the shame
I will give up the embarrassment
Of who my parents are
That comes from being associated with my family
And if ever if ever if ever
In case, in case, in case
If ever someone asks where I've been
If somebody inquires about my whereabouts
They'll say we never, we never, we never
People will respond that they did not
We never saw the bastard again
See the person who left under harsh terms, me, ever again
No we never saw the bastard again
There is no encounter with that person ever since
I am leaving here as fast as I can
I am escaping as soon as possible
I've seen the empty space
I have noticed the vacuum and hollowness
Behind my neighbors eyes
Present behind my neighborhood's locals' gazes
If you don't leave this place
Unless you escape from this location
Something inside you dies
Something within you perishes
I'm done eating dinner in the drive through parking lot
I am finished with consuming fast food in the parking lot of the drive-in restaurant
Listing all the things I've been called that I swear I'm not
Recalling all the names that people have called me, which don't coincide with my true identity
I swear if ever, if ever if ever
I promise that in case, in case, in case
If ever someone asks where I've been
Anybody asks about my location
They'll say we never, we never, we never
People will reply that they did not
We never saw the bastard again
Come across the person who departed under distressing circumstances, me, ever after
Yeah if ever, if ever, if ever
Yes, if ever, if ever, if ever
If ever someone asks where I've been
If somebody poses the question about my whereabouts
They'll say we never, we never, we never
People will respond that they did not
We never saw the bastard again
Never came across the estranged individual again
I am leaving here as fast as I can
I am departing as swiftly as possible
Fuck this town and all the things I have been
I despise this town and everything that has happened to me while residing here
I am leaving here as fast as I can
I am running away from this place at the earliest opportunity
Writer(s): Hrishikesh Hirway Copyright: Reach Music Publishing-digital O.B.O. Dangerbird Publishing Ll
Contributed by Jayce G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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