San Francisco, 1999:
Ch… Read Full Bio ↴The Stratford 4: Let The Revolution Begin
San Francisco, 1999:
Chris Streng (vocals, guitar) is at a loose end. Two members of his last band have just formed Black Rebel Motorcycle Club while Chris is stuck searching for his perfect combination. Meanwhile two Seattle refugees, Jake Hosek (guitars), Andrea Caturegli (drums), have found their dream bass player, Sheetal Singh (bass), just back from living in London, and together they are looking for a vocalist. Mutual friends B.R.M.C. make the introductions and The Stratford 4 become a reality.
From The Underground Up
The Stratford 4 build their own noise-pop sound from wavering layers of guitar (ala My Bloody Valentine) on a foundation of Yo La Tengo-esque psychedelia. Imagine the spacious interiors of Sigur Ros splashed with dark strokes of the Velvet Underground. Or not, it's up to you.
The House That Noise Built
Part of a close-knit group of San Francisco bands, S4 are not afraid to get their hands dirty. Sheetal is a co-founder of the Popular Noise Foundation, a community organization for musicians. Another cool thing about the band is that Sheetal and Andrea are members of a rare and elusive species, the All-female Rhythm Section, a welcome sight in this often testosterone dominated modern-rock ecosystem.
The Results
After releasing two records on Jetset, 2002's 'The Revolt Against Tired Noises' and 2003's 'Love and Distortion' (both records reached the top 10 on college radio charts), The Stratford 4 return with their latest effort 'Keep Your Crazy Head On Straight'. Produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars and recorded in New York City's famed Electric Lady Studios (the house that Jimi built), KYCHOS is filled with pop hooks, but it doesn't sacrifice any of the driving guitar Stratford 4 sound we've come to expect.
Where the Ocean Meets the Eye
The Stratford 4 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's all those faces to see
And in the crowded lines
All the people stay up so high
So I am going to stay, where the waves will wash my cares away
And I am going to sleep, until the waves will wash her back to me
Where the ocean meets the eye
I've got this quiet place
I've got to go and stay
So if you see my face
Please don't recall my name
Cause I am going to stay, where the waves will wash my cares away
And I am going to sleep, until the waves will wash her back to me
And where I wanna be
Right where the ocean meets the eye
On the messy streets
I could not make them see
Hey have I lost my touch?
If I did I don't miss it too much...
The lyrics of "Where the Ocean Meets the Eye" by The Stratford 4 express a desire to escape from the chaos and noise of city life to a peaceful, solitary place by the ocean. The first verse describes the busy and crowded streets full of faceless people, emphasizing the isolation and anonymity that can be felt in the midst of a large crowd. The second verse reveals that the singer has found a quiet place by the ocean where they can find solace and rest. The chorus repeats the desire to be in this peaceful place and the hope that the waves will bring someone back to them.
The chorus is particularly poignant, as it captures the longing for connection and the restorative power of nature. It also creates a sense of mystery and anticipation, as the waves are personified as having the power to bring someone back to the singer. Throughout the song, there is a sense of the singer being lost, possibly disconnected from past relationships or experiences. The final line of the song, "Hey have I lost my touch? If I did I don't miss it too much," suggests resignation and acceptance of whatever has been lost, or perhaps recognition that the quiet solitude by the ocean is a preferable alternative.
Line by Line Meaning
On the dirty streets
Amidst the chaos of the busy streets
There's all those faces to see
People are everywhere and can be seen from all directions
And in the crowded lines
In the queues filled with a multitude of people
All the people stay up so high
All those people seem to be elevated or possess a sense of superiority
So I am going to stay, where the waves will wash my cares away
I am choosing to be in a place where nature will help me forget my worries and distress
And I am going to sleep, until the waves will wash her back to me
I'll rest until the tides bring her back to me
Where the ocean meets the eye
At a point where the vast ocean joins with the horizon
I've got this quiet place
I have a peaceful spot where I can retreat to
I've got to go and stay
I have to escape and remain there for a while
So if you see my face
If you happen to see me anywhere
Please don't recall my name
Do not try to remember my name or identity
And where I wanna be
The place where I want to be
Right where the ocean meets the eye
That specific point on the horizon where the sea and sky intermingle
On the messy streets
Amongst the disarray and confusion of the city
I could not make them see
I could not make the people around me understand or acknowledge me
Hey have I lost my touch?
Am I no longer able to connect with the people around me?
If I did I don't miss it too much...
Even if I am unable to connect, I don't really care
Writer(s): the stratford 4
Contributed by Madelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.