The Thermals were an indie rock trio from Portland, Oregon. The band was fo… Read Full Bio ↴The Thermals were an indie rock trio from Portland, Oregon. The band was formed in 2002 and released seven records and toured at least fifteen countries.

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.

It's Trivia
The Thermals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually

Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually

Count the numbers and the words
And the numbness in return

Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Get fat and waste
Get smashed in the face
Where the hell you want to be?

Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?

Count the numbers and return
Count the numbers and the words
And the numbness in return
They go four, three, two, one

Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
Where the hell you want to be?

All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Go sly
Go low

Count the numbers and the words
And the numbness in return
They go four, three, two, one

If it only means
To sing loud

It's only trivia
So don't freak out

Overall Meaning

"It's Trivia" by The Thermals is a song about living life on your own terms and not worrying too much about everything matching up perfectly. The repeated lines "Go fast, go slow, go sly, go low" suggest that there are many different ways to approach life and you should choose the path that feels right for you. The repeated phrase "Where the hell you want to be?" emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself and finding your own way.

The line "All systems intact, the red and the black, black eventually" suggests that even if things don't go smoothly or as planned, everything will eventually work out. The mention of counting numbers, words, and the numbness in return suggests the monotony of everyday life and how easy it is to get caught up in routine. However, the countdown of "four, three, two, one" suggests that there is always a chance for change and new beginnings.

Line by Line Meaning

Go fast
Accelerate with great speed

Go slow
Decelerate and reduce the speed

Go sly
Act in a cunning and crafty manner

Go low
Crouch down or take a lower position

Where the hell you want to be?
What location or situation is desirable to you?

All systems intact
Everything is working properly and in good condition

The red and the black
The two contrasting colors and possibly referring to strategic planning

Black eventually
The state of darkness or despair will occur eventually

Count the numbers and the words
Calculate and keep track of the digits and language

And the numbness in return
The absence of feeling or emotion as a result

Get fat and waste
To become overweight and expend without purpose