The Sea and Cake is a pop/rock group with a pronounced jazz influence, whic… Read Full Bio ↴The Sea and Cake is a pop/rock group with a pronounced jazz influence, which formed in 1994 in Chicago, Illinois. A bona fide supergroup despite the band not promoting themselves as such, each of The Sea and Cake’s members come from their own celebrated acts: Sam Prekop and Eric Claridge from Shrimp Boat, Archer Prewitt of The Coctails, and John McEntire of Tortoise. The group's name came from a willful reinterpretation (in the wake of an accidental miscomprehension) of The C in Cake, a song by Gastr del Sol. Starting with 1997's The Fawn , the group has relied on electronic sound sources, such as drum machines and synthesizers, to color its music, but has retained its distinctive post-jazz combo style. The band has shied away from releasing singles, preferring the album format. Contrary to his multi-instrumentalist role in Tortoise, John McEntire essentially plays only drums in The Sea and Cake.

Members Sam Prekop and Archer Prewitt each have released solo albums. The cover art of The Sea And Cake's releases are largely paintings by Claridge and photographs by Prekop. (Postcards of some of the One Bedroom-era photos were sold on the band's 2003 tour.) Prewitt has been involved in publishing his own comic books and doing graphic design.

The band was on hiatus from 2004 to 2007, as Prekop and Prewitt each released further solo albums with accompanying tours, and focused on their visual art pursuits. Their most recent album Any Day was released in May 2018, with the band now performing as a trio (sans-bassist Eric Claridge). They have remained relatively quiet since then, aside from Sam Prekop releasing several long-form electronic music projects, often in collaboration with fellow bandmember John McEntire.

Seemingly
The Sea and Cake Lyrics

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Afraid i don't have to.
Afraid i don't have to.
Afraid i don't have to.

How, shall i demonstrate.
If you, want i promise to.
How, shall i demonstrate.
If you, want i promise to.

Save it for the right time, ready now let's go, i've been to
Yuor side.
So i'd rather, afraid i don't have to.
Better off too slow, measure the down size, crazy the whole
Time.
So i'd rather, afraid i don't have to.
So i'd rather not stay, challenged to let go, indifferent you do
Right.
So i'd rather, afraid i don't have to.
Taken with dismay, steady now be sure, hardly the wrong time.
So i'd rather, afraid i don't have to.
Save it for the right time, ready now let's go, i've been to
Yuor side.
So i'd rather, afraid i don't have to.
Better off too slow, measure the down size, crazy the whole
Time.
So i'd rather, afraid i don't have to.
So i'd rather not stay, challenged to let go, indifferent you do

Right.
So i'd rather, afraid i don't have to.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Sea and Cake's "Seemingly" are enigmatic and open to interpretation. One possible reading of the song is that it is about the fear of commitment or taking risks. The repetition of the phrase "Afraid I don't have to" suggests a reluctance to make a choice or take action. The lines "Save it for the right time, ready now let's go" and "Better off too slow, measure the down size" could be interpreted as conflicting messages about when and how to act. The singer seems unsure whether it is better to wait for the "right time" or to proceed cautiously but slowly.

The repeated line "How shall I demonstrate, If you want I promise to" could be read as a plea for guidance or validation from another person. The desire for approval or reassurance could be driving the singer's hesitation and indecision.

Overall, the lyrics of "Seemingly" are poetic and abstract, leaving room for the listener to project their own meaning onto them. The music, which features jazzy guitar riffs and smooth vocals, adds to the dreamy, meditative quality of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Afraid i don't have to.
I'm not afraid because I don't have to be.

How, shall i demonstrate.
How should I show you?

If you, want i promise to.
I promise to if you want me to.

Save it for the right time, ready now let's go, i've been to Yuor side.
Let's wait for the right moment. I'm ready to go now. I've been on your side.