1.) An American alterna… Read Full Bio ↴There are two bands charting as The Rentals:
1.) An American alternative rock band fronted by Matt Sharp, former bass player for Weezer. The Rentals have released four LPs, Return Of The Rentals (1995), Seven More Minutes (1999), Lost in Alphaville (2014), Q36 (2020) and four EPs, The Last Little Life EP (2007), The Story of a Thousand Seasons Past (2009), It's Time to Come Home (2009), and The Future (2009). The 2009 EPs make up the musical end of the Songs About Time project, which also includes daily photos and weekly short films entitled Resilience (2011).
Band members on Return Of included Patrick Wilson (also of Weezer) on drums, Rod Cervera (guitar), Tom Grimley (moog), Petra Haden (violin, vocals), and Cherielynn Westrich (vocals, moog). Petra's triplet sister, Rachel Haden, appears as an additional vocalist. After Sharp left Weezer, Wilson's studio replacement on the drums was Kevin March and Mike Fletcher was the band's most frequent touring drummer. Maya Rudolph, of Saturday Night Live fame, also briefly toured with the band as a keyboardist. They are known for their quirky Moog-driven melodies. The single "Friends of P" off their first album was a modern rock radio hit, peaking at #7 on Billboard's Modern Rock Chart and #92 on the Billboard Hot 100. After touring for Seven More Minutes the band disbanded.
Yet on October 24, 2005, the tenth anniversary of the band's formation, Matt Sharp announced he was bringing back The Rentals after a six year absence. The new lineup includes founding member Rachel Haden on bass/vocals, Sara Radle on vocals/multiple instruments, Ben Pringle (from Nerf Herder and now Yearbook Pictures) on synths/multiple instruments, Lauren Chipman on viola/synth/vocals, and Dan Joeright on drums. Sharp stated on his website that "there are no current plans" for ex-Rental Cherielynn Westrich "to be involved in the future of The Rentals."
Sharp states: The essential elements of The Rentals will be there. Our fascination with vintage synthesizers, violas, violins, female harmonies and all the rest will continue. But, I'm guessing, we'll most likely veer off the path that would lead us into the realm of becoming our own tribute band.
2.) A late '70s Boston area Punk band featuring Jeff Hudson, Jane Hudson, and Pseudo Carol. As a trio, they released the songs "Gertrude Stein", "Low Rent", "New York", "I Got A Crush On You" and "Elephants".
In 1980, Jeff & Jane joined The MANHATTAN PROJECT, followed by the Electro-Punk act simply known as Jeff & Jane Hudson in 1981.
Please Let That Be You
The Rentals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lifeless, slow and cold
Alone at home
Alone too long
Walk around the complex
No visitors
No oxygen
Just me, no movement
Please let that be you
Knocking on my door so loud
Just like you do
Bringing a message or two
You know you are my faith
And I love you
Empty, everything's technical
Sterile, and endless
Inside a malfunction
Observe and obsess
(Chorus)
except:
Ringing my phone just like
I wish you would do
Calling with some good news
(resume reg. chorus.)
You are my faith and I love you
Stand by my side, always be true
You are my faith and I love you
I raise my right hand and swear it's true
You are my faith
You are my faith
You are my faith
You are my faith
Please let that be you
Singing my song so nice sounding like you do
Just humming along to your tune
You know you are my faith
and I love you.
The lyrics to The Rentals' song "Please Let That Be You" seem to be exploring themes of isolation, loneliness and reliance on one's relationships for emotional sustenance. The singer paints a picture of being lost in a machine-like existence, where everything is technical and sterile. The repetition of the phrase "just me, no movement" highlights the sense of stuckness and stagnation. The longing for human connection is palpable in lines such as "no visitors" and "no oxygen". However, there is hopeful anticipation in the chorus, as the singer pleads for the person they love to knock on their door or call with good news, implying that this person is a source of comfort and a reason to keep going.
The second verse also emphasizes the singer's fixation on observation and analysis, a common coping mechanism for people even in non-pandemic times. The phrase "inside a malfunction" is particularly intriguing, suggesting that they are feeling like they themselves are the malfunctioning component in a larger system. But it is their love for the person addressed in the chorus that they cling to, and this love is described as a "faith": a belief system that grounds them and gives them hope for the future.
Overall, "Please Let That Be You" is a poignant exploration of the human need for connection and the mental toll of prolonged isolation. The lyrics are simple but effective, using repetition and imagery to create a sense of being trapped and searching for a way out.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost out in the machine, away
Feeling disconnected, isolated from society and lost in technology
Lifeless, slow and cold
Emotionally stagnant, depressed and unfeeling
Alone at home
Living in solitude, with no other human interaction
Alone too long
Having been alone for an extended period of time, with no hope for change
Walk around the complex
Navigating aimlessly through a bleak environment
No visitors
Living a life devoid of companionship, with no one to share experiences or thoughts with
No oxygen
Feeling suffocated by loneliness and hopelessness
Just me, no movement
Existing in a state of stillness, both physically and mentally
Please let that be you
Desperately longing for the presence of a loved one
Knocking on my door so loud
Expressing a deep desire for someone to physically visit
Just like you do
The hope that the person knocking will be a familiar face, known for their cheerful and comforting demeanor
Bringing a message or two
Anticipating good news or positive tidings from the visitor
You know you are my faith
Acknowledging the significant role the loved one plays in providing emotional support and stability
And I love you
Professing deep, unwavering love for the visitor
Empty, everything's technical
Feeling devoid of genuine connection and emotional fulfillment, surrounded by superficial and meaningless technological advancements
Sterile, and endless
Living in a monotonous, robotic existence with no end in sight
Inside a malfunction
Experiencing an emotional breakdown, feeling trapped and unable to escape
Observe and obsess
Overanalyzing and fixating on negative thoughts and emotions
Ringing my phone just like
Hoping for a phone call from the loved one
I wish you would do
Expressing a strong desire for the loved one to reach out and provide comfort
Calling with some good news
Anticipating a call containing positive information or updates
You are my faith and I love you
Reiterating the deep love and trust felt towards the loved one
Stand by my side, always be true
Pleading for the loved one to be a consistent source of support and companionship
I raise my right hand and swear it's true
Making a solemn vow to the loved one
Please let that be you
Repeating the desperate plea for the loved one's presence
Singing my song so nice sounding like you do
Remembering the comfort and joy brought by the loved one's singing voice
Just humming along to your tune
Longing to be in the presence of the loved one, even if just hearing their voice
You know you are my faith
Affirming the deep trust and reliance placed in the loved one
and I love you.
Reiterating the profound love felt towards the loved one
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEW KELLY SHARP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrBhugh81 Hughes
This album was awesome
Paul
and still is!
Shelby Robertson
Wish there were remasters of the Incredible demo's.
Keenan Henderson
Saw them in 95 near Dallas and when they played this song, everyone started jumping up and down. Fun times!
Paul Douglas
I love this song
Jonas Wiefield
favorite rentals song!
Raph
Underrated.
belah pinggir
Weezer's Jamie version of the rentals..... Both songs actually referring one person... Their lawyer... Nice
The Rentals
THE RENTALS new album Q36 is out now! Available everywhere you listen to music.
STREAM Q36 ON SPOTIFY:ย https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2La8Kv1JLHki1IpUkZDUH8?si=YHgA3u5tQLeXEKm9Ei6cvQ
Q36 ON APPLE MUSIC:ย https://music.apple.com/us/album/q36/1509863328
A Plastic Soldier
@Vitorio based and pinkertonpilled