The Strange Boys began as a duo (Hammer and the younger Sambol) in 2003. The other two joined in 2005 and the band has been on tour non-stop ever since. Since 2003 the Boys have recorded a wealth of material which was passed around at shows and to friends, but never officially released. In 2007, Dusty Medical Records put out the Nothing EP, and in 2008, In The Red released the Woe Is You and Me single. Now, finally, the band's proper debut album is seeing the light of day. It's easy to imagine The Strange Boys And Girls Club, a sixteen-track beast, blasting out of any stereo system between The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators and Wire's Pink Flag.
The Strange Boys were the backing band for Mighty Hannibal (the '50s R&B recording artist); were main support for Roky Erickson and the Explosives at the Chaos in Tejas festival; have played South by Southwest the last four years, the Fuck Yeah Fest the last three years, Austin City Limits, Festival in Music Fest Northwest, and Bamalama (all in 2008); shared bills with Daniel Johnston, Black Lips, Reigning Sound, The King Khan and BBQ Show, Jay Reatard, Mika Miko, No Age, and BRMC; have toured with The Black Angels, Fucked Up, The Carrots, and Crystal Antlers[a/rtist]; and will tour with Darker My Love and Mika Miko in '09.î
In 2010, Indierockcafe.Com listed Austin indie band The Strange Boys Be Brave, LP on their "Best Albums of 2010 (So Far)" and "Artists and Bands" favorites list.
Woe Is You And Me
The Strange Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and how bad it will be
oh how thin things must seem
it's hard for me to say
but one day you'll see me break
and water
will spring from my face
crying how high must we rise
because it is the ground
oh how bad it's been
and how bad it will be
oh how thin things must seem
i pet every dog i see
i say hello to every cat i meet
yet still i feel incomplete
but i guess that's the way it goes
and there's no reason to knkow
why no one will save you
when you jump off a boat
oh how bad it's been
and how bad it will be
woe is you and me
then the man sitting next to me
bought me a drink
said excuse but i think
you need this more than me
i said thank you sir
i surely do
and how was your voyage
and how 'bout you
he said
oh how bad it's been
and how bad it will be
woe is you and me.
The Strange Boys' song "Woe Is You And Me" captures a sense of despair, unease and loneliness that comes with life's uncertainties. The song is an introspective reflection on the struggles of the human spirit, depicting the depths of pain and sorrow that we experience in life. The lyrics start by acknowledging the bad times in the past and the ones to come in the future, illustrating the cyclical nature of life's challenges. It is difficult for the singer to express his feelings, yet he acknowledges that one day he'll break down and tears will come as a release.
The following lines compare the fragility of human existence to a "memorial too tall to fall," emphasizing how quickly we can be brought down by unexpected events. The chorus "woe is you and me" sums up the sense of shared melancholy and sorrow the song seeks to convey. The next verse talks about a futile search for happiness and purpose through the act of petting every dog or greeting every cat encountered, but still feeling empty inside. The final verse presents a chance encounter with a stranger who offers a moment of kindness, buying the singer a drink and acknowledging their struggle, echoing the sentiment that we are all in this together.
Overall, "Woe Is You And Me" is a poignant reminder of the harsh reality that life can be tough, and we all need someone to extend compassion and empathy towards us at times. It is a beautiful yet melancholic song that captures the feeling of how lost one can feel with a sense of foreboding despair.
Line by Line Meaning
oh how bad its been
Expressing the hardships that have been experienced in the past
and how bad it will be
Expecting more challenges and difficulties in the future
oh how thin things must seem
Reflecting on how fragile and vulnerable things can appear
it's hard for me to say
Admitting difficulty in expressing one's emotions
but one day you'll see me break
Anticipating a moment of emotional breakdown
and water will spring from my face
Describing crying or tears as water escaping from one's eyes
crying how high must we rise
Questioning the level of success needed to be reached before a memorial is built
to build a memorial to tall to fall
Discussing the construction of a monument or tribute that will stand the test of time
because it is the ground
Highlighting the foundation or basis for building something that will last
oh how bad it's been
Repeating the earlier sentiment of difficulty and hardship
and how bad it will be
Echoing the idea that the future holds more challenges and difficulties
oh how thin things must seem
Restating the observation of how fragile and vulnerable things can appear
i pet every dog i see
Describing a habit of interacting with dogs as a source of comfort or happiness
i say hello to every cat i meet
Describing a habit of interacting with cats as a source of comfort or happiness
yet still i feel incomplete
Acknowledging a sense of unfulfillment or dissatisfaction
but i guess that's the way it goes
Accepting the reality of not always feeling fulfilled or satisfied
and there's no reason to know
Suggesting that there may not always be a clear explanation for why things are the way they are
why no one will save you
Expressing a feeling of abandonment or lack of support
when you jump off a boat
Metaphorically suggesting that one is taking a risk or making a big decision alone
oh how bad it's been
Reiterating the earlier sentiment of difficulty and hardship
and how bad it will be
Reaffirming the expectation of future challenges and difficulties
woe is you and me
Stating that both the artist and the listener are experiencing woe or sorrow
then the man sitting next to me
Transitioning to a new event or interaction
bought me a drink
Describing a gesture of kindness from the stranger next to the artist
said excuse but i think
Prefacing the stranger's explanation or justification for buying the drink
you need this more than me
Suggesting that the singer appears to be in greater need of assistance or comfort
i said thank you sir
Expressing gratitude for the stranger's kind gesture
i surely do
Agreeing with the stranger's assessment that the artist is in need
and how was your voyage
Engaging in polite conversation with the stranger about their travels
and how 'bout you
Asking the stranger about their own experiences or well-being
he said
Beginning the stranger's response
oh how bad it's been
Repeating the earlier sentiment of difficulty and hardship
and how bad it will be
Restating the expectation of future challenges and difficulties
woe is you and me.
Closing the song by restating the earlier sentiment of shared sorrow or hardship
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.