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'
Minotaur
Thee Oh Sees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It makes me sick, in the air
Anyhow
And the dream upon my lips
Is getting thinner with each day
And yet I'm getting paid
I get sick at my work
There is no cure but to stay, stay away without pay
And the horns upon my head
Are getting thicker with each day
I take my meals here, I sleep in the maze
Men get sick at their work
Each and every day
There ain't no cure but to stay
Stay home today and go to the beach instead
And the dreams, in their heads
Cannot be found in the maze, or so they say
The song Minotaur, by Thee Oh Sees, is a melancholic and cynical reflection on the monotony of daily life and the sense of being trapped in one's own routine. The lyrics describe an individual whose dinner is tainted by an "oil slick," leaving a palpable sense of disgust and unease. This feeling is further amplified by the realization that the individual's dreams are slowly slipping away and becoming increasingly unattainable. However, despite this, they continue to work, acquiring some form of compensation, but not without a sense of hopelessness, as their "horns" – a symbol of their increasing frustration and anger – continue to grow.
The song is a commentary on society's expectations and the sense of obligation to work, even when it becomes unbearable. It highlights the impact that unsatisfying, uninspiring jobs can have on one's self-esteem, as our internal dreams and aspirations continue to be pushed aside by the weight of daily life. However, it also implies that there may be an escape from this cycle, that perhaps taking a day off to go to the beach or trying to find another path from the maze could be liberating.
Line by Line Meaning
Oil slick in my dinner
I feel disgusted and uneasy about the pollution and contamination in my food
It makes me sick, in the air
The air is polluted as well, causing me to feel nauseous and unwell
Anyhow
Nevertheless, despite the circumstances
And the dream upon my lips
The aspiration or goal that I hold dear
Is getting thinner with each day
It's becoming increasingly harder to hold on to this hope or desire
And yet I'm getting paid
However, I am still earning money from my job
I get sick at my work
My job makes me physically ill
Every day
This is a constant and repetitive problem
There is no cure but to stay, stay away without pay
The only solution is to not go to work, but that results in lost wages
And the horns upon my head
Symbolic imagery of the negative effects the job is having on me
Are getting thicker with each day
The situation is worsening over time
I take my meals here, I sleep in the maze
My entire life is consumed by this job - I eat and sleep there as well
Men get sick at their work
This is a common issue that many people face
Each and every day
It is a daily struggle for many people
There ain't no cure but to stay
There are not many options for those who cannot leave their job
Stay home today and go to the beach instead
Sometimes, it's better to take a break and prioritize self-care
And the dreams, in their heads
The hopes and desires these workers may have
Cannot be found in the maze, or so they say
It is difficult for them to achieve their goals while being stuck in this situation
Contributed by Lucy L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@callumday5277
Oil slick in my dinner
It makes me sick in the air anyhow
And the dream upon my lips
Is getting thinner with each day
And yet I'm getting paid
I get sick at my work everyday
There is no cure but to stay away, without pay
And the horns upon my head
Are getting thicker with each day
I take my meals here
I sleep in a maze, alone
Men get sick at their work each and every day
There ain't no cure but to stay home today
Go to the beach instead
And their dreams in their heads
Cannot be found in the maze or so they say
@theghostofteddyperkins3687
And the Academy Award for Best Scowl of All-Time goes to Knight #1!! the crowd gives a standing ovation
@ThatKidGaming
this song always hits me right in the feels
@trubblegum5787
This song always feels me right in the hit.
@Valentino22250
@@trubblegum5787 this hit always feels me right in the song
@nickn420
Amen! 🙃🤞😉🍻
@BurleighArt
This song feels hit right in the always! 🤘🤘
@KevyDuty
Every band should make at least on D&D themed album. I believe Thee Oh Sees have made several!
@jollygrapefruit786
Man you'd love King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
@damagedbug8848
pete dammit is excellent in this cracks me up all the time
@Salamander676
There needs to be more songs like this