The Thermals' sixth LP and debut for Saddle Creek, Desperate Ground, was produced by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth) in Hoboken, NJ. Agnello and The Thermals completed the record and evacuated the studio just hours before Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey, a fate quite fitting when you consider the product. Desperate Ground is a true scrappy and scratchy return-to-form for The Thermals, with all the raw power and unhinged adolescent energy that made their early LP's so insanely enjoyable. Lyrically, Desperate Ground is a brash and irresponsible ode to human violence, a black celebration of the inevitability of war and death. A dark and yet joyous affair, Desperate Ground tells the (murky) tale of a lone rogue in the night. One man, one path, one sword. An unceasing urge to destroy. A never-ending battle against the forces of nature. A destiny impossible to avoid.
In early 2013 The Thermals signed to Saddle Creek, a label they've known and admired for many years. The Thermals and Saddle Creek have a long history of sleeping on floors together: The Thermals have toured with Cursive and Ladyfinger, and Hutch and Kathy organized the first Bright Eyes show in Portland way back in 1999.
The Thermals were most famous for turning down $50,000 from Hummer, discovering the elusive fourth chord in punk rock (F#m) and for soundtracking that scene in Weeds where Mary-Louise Parker jumps in the pot-filled pool in her underwear.
The Thermals announced they were splitting in April 2018.
The Thermals lineup was Hutch Harris, Kathy Foster and Westin Glass.
Here's Your Future
The Thermals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He flooded the land then he set it on fire
He said, "Fear me again. Know I'm your father.
Remember that no one can breathe underwater"
So bend your knees and bow your heads
Save your babies, here's your future
Yeah, here's your future
God reached his hand down from the sky
God asked Noah if he wanted to die
He said "No sir
Oh, no, sir"
God said "Here's your future
It's gonna rain"
So we're packing our things
We're building a boat
We're gonna create the new master race
Cause we're so pure
Oh, Lord, we're so pure
So here's your future
God told his son, "It's time to come home
I promise you won't have to die all alone
I need you to pay for the sins I create"
His son said, "I will, but Dad, I'm afraid"
Yeah, so here's your future
Here's your future
Yeah, here's your future
So here's your future
So here's your future
So here's your future
The lyrics to The Thermals' song Here's Your Future can be interpreted as a critique of religion and its impact on society. The song begins with a reference to God's power and his destruction of the world by flooding and setting it on fire. The idea of fear and obedience to a higher power is reinforced with the line "Fear me again. Know I'm your father. Remember that no one can breathe underwater." This implies that the people must submit to God's will and have faith in his power.
The second verse refers to the story of Noah's Ark, where God asks Noah if he wants to die, and Noah responds with a firm "No sir." This can be seen as a nod to blind obedience and the idea that people will do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means following commands that seem unreasonable. The chorus follows, with a call to action to "save your babies" and be aware of the future that lies ahead.
The third verse refers to the crucifixion of Jesus, where God tells his son that it is time to come home and pay for the sins of humanity. The son expresses fear, which suggests a critique of the notion of sacrifice and the idea of God demanding blood to atone for sins. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the urgency of the message.
Overall, the lyrics of Here's Your Future can be seen as a critique of religious dogma and authority, and a call to question the blind obedience and fear that they can inspire.
Line by Line Meaning
God reached his hand down from the sky
A metaphorical depiction of natural disasters and/or catastrophic events being the result of an angry God's actions
He flooded the land then he set it on fire
God is depicted as causing both a flood and a fire, two elements that traditionally contradict each other, amplifying the message of chaos and destruction
He said, "Fear me again. Know I'm your father.
God demands to be feared, reminding humanity that he is their creator and ultimate authority
Remember that no one can breathe underwater"
God's power is absolute and humans can only survive within his mercy and protection, as they are not able to thrive without air
So bend your knees and bow your heads
A call for submission to God's commands and authority
Save your babies, here's your future
An urging to protect the young and the vulnerable, as they are the hope for the future and the survival of the human race
God asked Noah if he wanted to die
An illustration of God's wrath being so destructive that it may lead to the annihilation of entire civilizations
He said "No sir Oh, no, sir"
Noah's response is a denial of God's request for his death, reflecting the desire for self-preservation and the wish to survive
So we're packing our things
A depiction of human's actions in face of great danger, trying to gather their belongings and leave before it is too late
We're building a boat
A symbol of human ingenuity and perseverance in the face of disaster, showing that they will try to survive no matter what
We're gonna create the new master race
A chilling statement that shows the arrogance and belief in superiority of the people who managed to survive, with the implication that the new society will be based on eugenics and exclusion of the less desirable members of humanity
Cause we're so pure Oh, Lord, we're so pure
The survivors believe in their own moral superiority and justify their actions as necessary for the survival of the fittest
God told his son, "It's time to come home
A reference to Jesus Christ, who is seen as the savior of humanity in Christian theology
I promise you won't have to die all alone
The promise of companionship and support in times of death and suffering, a reassurance for those who believe in Jesus' message and divine nature
I need you to pay for the sins I create"
The notion of original sin, where humans are seen as inherently sinful and in need of redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus
His son said, "I will, but Dad, I'm afraid"
A humanizing portrayal of Jesus, acknowledging his fear and reluctance to suffer for the sins of humanity
Yeah, here's your future
A repeated and emphatic message that highlights the bleakness and hopelessness of the future for humanity, a result of their sins and God's wrath
So here's your future
A final reiteration of the message, urging the listeners to contemplate the consequences of their actions and the ultimate fate of humanity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Hutch Harris, Kathleen Michelle Foster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@huskyvacs
God told his son, "It's time to come home
I promise you won't have to die all alone
I need you to pay for the sins I create"
His son said, "I will, but Dad, I'm afraid"
@lilruse
💔
@s.b.3867
Hands down one of the greatest punk rock tunes of the 21st century so far.
@Little2Mermaid7
I absolutely, 100% love this song. <3 It's very inspirational to me.
@tomvelio95
Impresionante sublime de otra dimensión que pedazo de banda fueron los thermals
Thermals 4ever!!!
@derangedQuiver
i still get chills on my spine whenever i hear the opening organ. i fucking love this song
@eeeeesolitaire
love this song!
@MCminer178
alex pizzabagels same
@curreractonellis
Was watching Weeds way back when, and heard the opening organ notes and I squealed with happiness and joy and I knew what was coming as she went underwater: the “SO HERE’S YOUR FUTURE!” that signified the pure frenzy kicking in — I think Joey Santiago (Pixies) was in charge of the soundtrack for the first couple seasons, and that’s why it was so freaking great.
@EvanSiegel54
Can't stop listening to this.
"Here's your future!"