Thee Oh Sees are no doubt the lightest of his excursions, but in contrast to the rest of his resume one could surmise that there are significant reasons for the change.
Thee Oh Sees have a lo-fi electric-acoustic sound that's usually soaked in reverb, making it as if you can hear and see the exact room they recorded in. It creates a very distinct mood that seems to fit their style, lyrics, and melodies.
What most people focus on is that Mr. Dwyer is in the band. While it's certainly a notable quality, the recent band members bring so much more to the table. The earliest recordings are Dwyer's solo recordings, mostly single instrument/vocal ditties that you can hear him working out. They're an intimate portrait of John, but without the recent material, the portrait would simply be incomplete.
Thee Oh Sees don't subscribe to any one style.
With the addition of Brigid Dawson, Petey Dammit, and a rotating cast of drummers, the sound has grown into the landscape that one man couldn't create alone. Brigid's soprano voice brings an almost hauntingly sensitive aspect to the lyrics and melodies, while Petey and Mike's pounding and insistent backline (and additional drums from Lars Finberg of The Intelligence on recent recordings) complete the frame in its entirety. Their energetic, sweat-laden shows coupled with their prolific recording schedule has garnered them a growing, dedicated fan base.
The catalog that this band has put together is growing and growing, albeit under several different monikers, and several different labels.
in 2017 it was announced that the band would change its name to simply 'Oh Sees'
in November of 2019, the band announced that they would be changing their name yet again to simply 'Osees'
Corrupted Coffin
Thee Oh Sees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going, I'm going
I'm stealing, I'm stealing
I'm coughing slowly
I'm running, I'm running
I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding
I'm seeing, I'm seeing
Double Oh...
Deceiving, Deceiving
I'm leaving, I'm leaving
For a moment
I waited, I waited
I'm going, I'm going
I'm stealing, I'm stealing
I'm coughing slowly
I'm running, I'm running
I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding
I'm seeing, I'm seeing
Double Oh
Believing, Believing
Deceiving, Deceiving
I'm leaving, I'm leaving
Ah...
I waited, I waited
I'm going, I'm going
I'm stealing, I'm stealing
I'm coughing slowly
I'm running, I'm running
I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding
I'm seeing, I'm seeing
Double Oh...
Believing, Believing
Deceiving, Deceiving
Leaving, Leaving
Ah Oh Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
The lyrics to Thee Oh Sees' song "Corrupted Coffin" are somewhat enigmatic and open to interpretation. It's likely that the repeated refrain of "I'm waiting, I'm going, I'm stealing, I'm coughing slowly" could be interpreted as the singer's inner monologue as they embark on some kind of physical or emotional journey. The lyrics suggest a sense of urgency and restlessness, with the singer feeling compelled to move forward despite the obstacles they encounter.
The repetition of the phrases "believing, deceiving, leaving" further emphasizes the theme of change and departure. It's possible that the singer is leaving behind a toxic or negative situation, as the phrase "corrupted coffin" suggests death or decay. However, the lyrics remain ambiguous enough that they could be interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on the listener's own experiences and worldview.
Overall, "Corrupted Coffin" is a haunting and hypnotic song that showcases Thee Oh Sees' ability to create complex, layered music that invites closer analysis and reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
I waited, I waited
I was patient, but it didn't work out the way I hoped. So, I waited even longer.
I'm going, I'm going
I am moving on from the situation, seeking a new path.
I'm stealing, I'm stealing
I'm taking what I want by any means necessary, consequences or not.
I'm coughing slowly
I'm feeling the weight of my actions, and it's slowly chipping away at me.
I'm running, I'm running
I'm trying to escape from the past because it's haunting me.
I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding
I'm suffering, mentally and emotionally, and it's making me feel helpless.
I'm seeing, I'm seeing
I'm understanding what's going on around me, even if it hurts.
Double Oh...
The realization of what I've done sets in, and I can't undo it.
Believing, Believing
I once had hope for a better outcome, but now it's all gone.
Deceiving, Deceiving
I deceived myself into thinking things would get better if I kept waiting.
I'm leaving, I'm leaving
I'm leaving it all behind because it's too much to handle.
For a moment
Even if it's just temporary, I need to escape from reality to cope.
Contributed by Christian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.