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.
Only For You
The Thermals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If only to show you the way
I'm cut for you
If only to follow your fate
I'm cut for you
If only to make you feel small
I'm cut for you
If only to cushion your fall
If only to capture your days
If only to match your hate
If only to offer the truth
It's a feeling I always refuse
But only for you
(Only for you)
(Only for you)
(Only for you)
My love
(Oh oh)
(Oh oh)
(Oh oh)
(Oh oh)
When you were born you were sore and underweight
When you were made you were made from mistakes
Now you feel only fear and caress
And you carry a terrible stress
My love
If only to capture your days
If only to match your hate
If only to offer you more
It's a feeling I always ignore
But only for you
(Only for you)
(Only for you)
(Only for you)
My love
(Oh oh)
(Oh oh)
(Oh oh)
(Oh oh)
If only to capture your days
If only to match your hate
If only to throw you away
My love
(Oh oh)
(Oh oh)
(Oh oh)
(Only for you)
(Only for you)
The lyrics of The Thermals' song "Only For You" appear to describe a love that is obsessive and self-sacrificial. The singer seems to be saying that they are willing to endure pain and suffering in order to serve and protect the object of their affection. The lines "I'm cut for you if only to make you feel small" and "I'm cut for you if only to cushion your fall" suggest that the singer sees their love as a form of self-harm that they are willing to inflict on themselves in order to help the other person.
The recurring phrase "Only for you" suggests that the singer's love is a kind of exclusive devotion that is reserved for one person alone. The line "It's a feeling I always refuse" suggests that the singer is reluctant to accept this kind of self-sacrificial love, perhaps because they know it will ultimately lead to their own emotional destruction. Despite this, they seem unable to resist the pull of their love for this person, which seems to be both a source of great joy and intense pain. The repeated "oh oh" vocalizations at the end of the song add to the overall sense of emotional turmoil and uncertainty.
Overall, "Only For You" is a song that explores the darker side of love - the kind of obsessive, all-consuming love that can be both beautiful and destructive at the same time.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm cut for you
I am made to be with or follow you.
If only to show you the way
I am here to guide you.
If only to follow your fate
I will be there through your ups and downs.
If only to make you feel small
I am here to humble you and remind you of your place.
If only to cushion your fall
I will be there to support you during times of failure or hardship.
My love
I am dedicated and committed to you romantically.
If only to capture your days
I want to spend every moment possible with you.
If only to match your hate
I am willing to engage in negative emotions or behaviors with you.
If only to offer the truth
I will only be honest with you if it serves you.
It's a feeling I always refuse
I do not like the feeling of being dishonest or insincere.
But only for you
I will do anything for you.
(Oh oh)
Background vocalization that does not add meaning to the lyrics.
When you were born you were sore and underweight
You had a difficult beginning.
When you were made you were made from mistakes
Your creation was not perfect.
Now you feel only fear and caress
You feel scared and crave affection.
And you carry a terrible stress
You are experiencing a significant amount of stress.
If only to offer you more
I want to make your life better in any way that I can.
It's a feeling I always ignore
I do not usually act on this desire to improve your life.
If only to throw you away
I am willing to discard you if it serves me.
(Only for you)
Everything I do, I do specifically for you.
(Only for you)
Everything I do, I do specifically for you.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: HUTCH HARRIS, KATHLEEN MICHELLE FOSTER, WESTIN SHANE GLASS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lloyd Wilson
People don't know good music unless they slap a big label on it and tell them it's what's good
Scott Ashby
I consider this one of the greatest songs ever,esp the times I had with this band.yous were the beginning n end of a nine year love relationship.all I can say is ty for bein my athem.n hope to contribute yours future from here on out.
Tea Luxe
how does this only have 926 views... <3 thermals
Scott Ashby
my love ohhhhh oohhhh.my hidden gem