Past members included Peggy Wang (vocals, keyboards), Alex Naidus (bass), and Kurt Feldman (drums, programming). Feldman currently works as an engineer and producer at Winter Station Studios and leads the synthpop group Ice Choir and the sophisti-pop group Roman a Clef, which also features current Pains member Jen Goma.
On November 4, [yearended]2019[/yearended] they announced they were breaking up.
The Tenure Itch
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Lyrics
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He says your thoughts need for
But your forms not hard to find
These late night sessions, he's master still
Another lesson leaves you twisting to his will
Every night, he comes and goes again
Every night, he comes and goes again
If it isn't right, it isn't him
He makes corrections, you shut the blinds
You're talking less and less
But the words aren't hard to find
His last suggestion, it makes you ill
Still one more lesson leaves you twisting to his will
Oh, every night, he comes and goes again
Oh, every night, he comes and goes again
But every night, he comes and goes again
If it isn't right, it isn't him
If it isn't right, it isn't him
Oh, every night, he comes and goes again
Oh, every night, he comes and goes again
But every night, he comes and goes again
If it isn't right, it isn't him
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart's song The Tenure Itch depicts a problematic relationship where one person is completely and utterly dominated by the other. The lyrics illustrate a clear power dynamic in which the male partner is in control and manipulates his female counterpart. The woman appears to be fully aware of the man's indiscretions and his tendency to come and go, but she accepts these behaviors regardless. He convinces her that her thoughts are misguided and that he knows best, leaving her to doubt her own intuition and judgement.
The woman becomes more isolated and withdrawn as the relationship progresses. She speaks less and less, but the man's voice is always heard. He makes unfair "corrections" and suggestions that make her ill, yet she still continues to indulge him. The song paints a picture of a woman who is trapped in her own relationship, unable to escape the all-consuming power of her partner.
Overall, The Tenure Itch is a melancholic but insightful commentary on the themes of power dynamics and abusive relationships. It highlights how easy it can be to fall into a trap of subservience and how difficult it can be to escape from it.
Line by Line Meaning
His indiscretions, you don't mind
You're willing to overlook his unfaithful actions
He says your thoughts need for
He convinces you that you need him to guide your thinking
But your forms not hard to find
Your physical form is easily accessible to him
These late night sessions, hes master still
He dominates these late night interactions
Another lesson leaves you twisting to his will
You're controlled by him after every interaction
Every night he comes and goes again
He repeats this cycle of manipulation on a nightly basis
If it isn't right it isn't him
If he's not manipulating you, he doesn't feel like himself
He makes corrections, you shut the blinds
He tells you what to do and you comply by closing the blinds
You're talking less and less,
You're becoming more isolated from others
But the words aren't hard to find
You still have the ability to express yourself verbally
His last suggestion, it makes you ill,
He proposes something that makes you uncomfortable
Still one more lesson leaves you twisting to his will
You remain under his control even after feeling uneasy about his last suggestion
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alexander Arthur Naidus, Kurt Feldman, Peggy Wang, Kip Berman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind