THE PONYS' debut LP, Laced With Romance, was recorded with Jim Diamond in Detroit and released in February 2004 to great acclaim, NME calling it "a dirty-sounding mess of post-punk choppiness, ear-searing Farfisa organ and timeless teenage snarling."
After months of constant touring, they slipped into Chicago's Electrical Studios with Steve Albini for Celebration Castle, released in May 2005. Even more varied than their debut, Celebration Castle seemed to accentuate the band's physical power and precise dynamics. Rolling Stone said, "While other indie bands fuss themselves into a lather straining to redefine the templates of 'garage rock' or 'post-punk,' The Ponys just get it the hell done."
Just before the release of Celebration Castle, however, Ian decided that touring life was not for him, and he was replaced by guitarist and local charmer Brian Case. His addition reinvigorated the band and led them towards a more ballsy sound; indeed, some of the artier forays that Ian brought to past records have been replaced on Turn The Lights Out by pure sonic density.
Matador finally got their hands on THE PONYS and, dragging them off the road for a while, got them in Electrical Studios and Brooklyn's Headgear Studios in September 2006 with John Agnello (http://www.johnagnello.com) to record Turn The Lights Out. With their most brilliant batch of songs to date, plus the luxury of being able to take their time in the studio, THE PONYS turned in an ambitious, but wholly addictive, record. Sexy and exuberant, this is a sound which references so many of the great twin-guitar bands of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, but resists definition.
I'm With You
The Ponys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you afraid of what you might find?
Baby girl, I, I understand it
I've seen it too and I don't recommend it
Are you afraid of what's been started?
Are you afraid to seem retarded
When you go outside and do the things you do?
Oh, and I don't mind what they say
They're probably alright in their own way
And I don't care what they do
As long as you're with me and I'm with you
You should take a look into the eyes of your friends
Maybe you'd realize then
You should get used to being alone
'Cause they're just looking out for themselves
And doing bad things for their health
Oh, you should go and just let them be
And you just let them be
And I don't mind what they say
They're probably alright in their own way
And I don't care what they do
As long as you're with me and I'm with you
The lyrics of The Ponys' song I'm With You are about fear and the importance of having a supportive partner. The opening lines of the song ask if the listener is afraid to go outside or afraid of what they might find. The singer acknowledges that he understands these fears, having experienced them himself. He advises against giving in to these fears or letting them control one's actions.
The lyrics then shift to the idea that others may judge or ostracize someone for being different or not conforming. The singer encourages the listener to be true to themselves, even if it means being alone. He suggests that the listener should ignore the actions of those who are not supportive and just let them be.
The chorus of the song reinforces the idea that the opinions and actions of others don't matter as long as the singer and the listener are together. The song's message is ultimately one of support and love in the face of fear and judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you afraid to go outside?
Do you fear venturing into the outside world?
Are you afraid of what you might find?
Are you scared of discovering something unpleasant or disturbing?
Baby girl, I, I understand it
Darling, I comprehend your apprehension
I've seen it too and I don't recommend it
I myself have experienced it and would not suggest it
Are you afraid of what's been started?
Are you anxious about the consequences of what has been initiated?
Are you afraid to seem retarded
Do you fear being perceived as unintelligent or foolish?
When you go outside and do the things you do?
When you go out and act the way you do?
Oh, and I don't mind what they say
I pay no attention to what others may utter
They're probably alright in their own way
They are most likely fine in their own manner
And I don't care what they do
Their actions are of no concern to me
As long as you're with me and I'm with you
As long as we are united
You should take a look into the eyes of your friends
You ought to gaze into the eyes of your companions
Maybe you'd realize then
Perhaps at that point you would understand
You should get used to being alone
You should become accustomed to solitude
'Cause they're just looking out for themselves
Because they are only concerned with their own needs
And doing bad things for their health
And engaging in harmful behavior to their well-being
Oh, you should go and just let them be
You should allow them to be and not interfere
And you just let them be
And you simply let them be
And I don't mind what they say
I pay no attention to what others may utter
They're probably alright in their own way
They are most likely fine in their own manner
And I don't care what they do
Their actions are of no concern to me
As long as you're with me and I'm with you
As long as we are united
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Avril Ramona Lavigne, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, David Scott Alspach
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind