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'
Grease
Thee Oh Sees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They step outside sick with despair
Baby's alright with choosing sides
Brandishing arms and standing in line
But what's that sound going on?
Where's it going to call home?
Garlic springs up where you walk
Bells ring our baby when you talk
Wondering where to begin
Where's that smoke coming from?
Where's it going to call home?
In Thee Oh Sees's song Grease, the opening line "Darlings do best in the open air" could be interpreted as a metaphor for being true to oneself and not limiting oneself to the expectations of others. The notion of "stepping outside sick with despair" could signify the struggle of breaking free from those expectations and the fear of rejection that comes with it. The following line, "Baby's alright with choosing sides" could refer to the notion of making a choice between one's true self and the expectations of society. The idea of "brandishing arms and standing in line" could be a call to arms for individuals to assert their individuality and not conform to societal norms.
As the lyrics progress, the repetition of the question "Where's it going to call home?" suggests a sense of restlessness and searching for a place to belong. The imagery of "Garlic springs up where you walk/Bells ring our baby when you talk" could be interpreted as the beauty and power of one's individuality, and the positive impact it can have on those around them. The line "Cracking wise and being thin/Wondering where to begin" could signify the difficulty of starting on the path of individuality and the fear of the unknown, but also the importance of humor in getting through those challenges.
The final repetition of the question "Where's that smoke coming from?" and "Where's it going to call home?" suggest a continuation of the search for identity and a sense of belonging. Overall, the lyrics of the song Grease seem to encourage individuals to embrace their true selves and not conform to societal expectations, despite the difficulties and fears that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Darlings do best in the open air
People thrive when they are free to roam without confines
They step outside sick with despair
Being trapped or confined leads to feelings of hopelessness and depression
Baby's alright with choosing sides
It's easy to take a stance or pick a side without much thought or consideration
Brandishing arms and standing in line
People are quick to arm themselves and join ranks without fully understanding the implications or consequences
But what's that sound going on?
There is something happening beyond our immediate understanding or awareness
Where's it going to call home?
We cannot always predict the outcome or final destination of events or actions
Garlic springs up where you walk
Our actions and presence have an effect on the surrounding environment
Bells ring our baby when you talk
The way we communicate can have a powerful impact on those around us
Cracking wise and being thin
Superficial things like being clever or thin do not necessarily equate to true happiness or fulfillment
Wondering where to begin
It can be overwhelming to know where to start when faced with a daunting task or situation
Where's that smoke coming from?
There is something mysterious or unknown happening in the vicinity
Where's it going to call home?
We cannot always predict the outcome or final destination of events or actions
Contributed by Eva O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jakub Nowak
It's amazing how Dwyer manages to consistently deliver these outstanding songs throughout all these years
Patrick Connolly
This might be the best song ever recorded by Thee Oh Sees...or anyone else for that matter
Heavy Doctor
Yes but have you ever heard "ship"?
werd nA
This whole album is insane! I got it when it first came out and thought it had to be a collection of singles. There was so way a band could have that many killer tracks just put on an album. It the kind of record that gathers dust because you never take it off of the turntable!
Whar Score unsettled
This song is like walking home after being defeated
jevicci
Literally just listened to this while walking home after losing a card game
3goals4bonzai
darlings do best in the open air they step outside sick with despair baby's alright with choosing sides brandishing arms and standing in line but what's that sound going on? where's it going to call home? garlic springs up where you walk bells ring our baby when you talk cracking wise and being thin wondering where to begin where's that smoke coming from? where's it going to call home?
brad watson
this is band is fucking awesome
loop66
I liked it and I bought it.
Witwe Bolte
where can i get a vinyl of this album?