1) a UK psychedelic-folk duo
2) an American duo
3) a modern jazz band
1. The Story (UK)
The Story is a UK psychedelic-folk duo made up Martin Welham and his son Tom. They have released 3 albums - 2 on CD and the other on 12” vinyl.
Their first release was a vinyl split with US alt-folk band Whysp in 2005 entitled ‘The Dawn Is Crowned’. Their first full-length album ‘Tale Spin’ was released on Sunbeam Records in 2006 and was followed by ‘Arcane Rising’ in 2007. The Story contributed 2 tracks to the dark folk compilation ‘John Barleycorn Reborn’ (Cold Spring Records, 2008),with the foreboding song ‘The Wicker Man’ and the ritualistic ‘All Hallow’s Eve’.
The Story’s sound is steeped in the best traditions of the heyday of the acid-folk genre - the 1960s. Their sound has a timeless melodic quality and their voices blend richly.
2. The Story (Boston, USA)
The Story was the duo of Jonatha Brooke and Jennifer Kimball, recording and performing in the late 80s and early 90s. The two met at Amherst College and subsequently produced two albums: Grace in Gravity and The Angel in the House. Their sound is characterized by their sometimes dissonant, always gorgeous, close vocal harmonies and poignant lyrics (often telling a great story). They have since both embarked on solo careers, Jonatha more successfully. After a couple of albums as Jonatha Brooke & The Story, she switched to just her name.
3. The Story
The Story is also the name of a little-known modern jazz band. Musicians include John Escreet on piano, Samir Zarif on tenor saxophone, Zack Lober on bass, and Greg Ritchie on drums. The band has played with alto saxophonist Lars Dietrich. The band has one self-titled album available on iTunes.
The Story is also an APM Podcast.
Mermaid
The Story Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One day you'll think he's the one
You'll follow him over oceans, he'll promise you the world
He will parade you around the seas
He'll murmur his affection, his devotion
He will convince you to leave the deep
He'll promise you the world
(But) if you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
If you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
Do it for...
love..
('cause you want the ocean and not what he's giving you)
you want the ocean and not what he's giving you
you want the ocean and not what he's giving you...
Your legs will go first, to needles and pins,
and then your voice
You promised him you'd come back forever
he promised you the world
If you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
If you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
If you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
If you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
Do it for...
love
The lyrics in "Mermaid" by The Story describe a person's emotions when they fall in love with someone who offers them a promise of the world but in reality, only wants to parade them around and control them. The lyrics talk about how the person will follow the person they love over oceans, but eventually, they will realize that their love is not enough to sustain them if they have to sacrifice their own desires and dreams. The metaphor of the mermaid is used to describe this situation - the mermaid is enticed by the promise of the world above the water, but she knows that she ultimately belongs in the deep, in the ocean that is a part of her.
The song speaks to the power dynamics that can exist in relationships, where one person is more dominant and the other is expected to follow along blindly. The lyrics suggest that true love should not require giving up what one desires and needs, and that it is not worth sacrificing oneself for another person. In the end, the person in the song realizes that they want the ocean, the deep, the world that truly speaks to who they are, and not just what the other person is giving them.
Line by Line Meaning
know, you'll do it, you'll do it for this
You will make an effort to do it because of your desires
One day you'll think he's the one
You will think that he is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with
You'll follow him over oceans, he'll promise you the world
You will travel to different places with him and he will make false promises to you
He will parade you around the seas
He will take you to different parts of the ocean as if he's showing you off
He'll murmur his affection, his devotion
He will tell you how much he loves you and is devoted to you
He will convince you to leave the deep
He will persuade you to abandon the things you truly want for the sake of what he wants
He'll promise you the world
He will deceive you with false hopes and assurances
(But) if you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
If you will still make that effort anyway, what is love to you?
Do it for...
love..
Would you still do it for the sake of love?
('cause you want the ocean and not what he's giving you)
you want the ocean and not what he's giving you
you want the ocean and not what he's giving you...
You have an unquenchable thirst for the ocean and not for what he has to offer
Your legs will go first, to needles and pins, and then your voice
You'll sacrifice and endure pain, loss of voice, just to be with him
You promised him you'd come back forever
he promised you the world
You pledged to return and never leave him, in exchange for his false promises and claims
If you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
Why do you still want to do it even if love is not a good enough reason for you?
If you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
Why do you still want to give it a shot, even though love is not enough?
If you'd do it anyway, why would you do it for love?
Why would you still put yourself through this, with love as your only motivation?
Do it for...
love
Is love really worth it?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONATHA BROOKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind