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'
Sugar Boat
Thee Oh Sees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Save your ears from calling
I say that is appalling like
I-I-I-I love you
Let's just stay clear and true
and when the sun goes out
Ya like to roam about
And shout about, about, about
Sugar boats are falling
Saves your ears from calling
I say that is appalling like
I-I-I-I love you
Let's just stay clear and true
and when the sun goes out
Ya like to roam about
and shout about, about about about...
In Thee Oh Sees' song "Sugar Boat," the lyrics paint a picture of a tumultuous relationship. The repetition of "sugar boats are falling, save your ears from calling" evokes a sense of danger and chaos, with the sugar boats representing the sweetness of the relationship, but also the fragility and potential to crash and burn. The singer expresses their love in the face of this turmoil, saying "I-I-I-I love you," but also acknowledges the need for clarity and honesty in the relationship. The line "and when the sun goes out, ya like to roam about" further emphasizes the instability and unpredictability of the partner.
The final lines, "and shout about, about, about, how your lover's killing you" suggest that the partner is not just emotionally volatile, but potentially harmful. Overall, the lyrics of "Sugar Boat" explore the balance between love and chaos, and the difficult decision of when to walk away from a toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Sugar boats are falling
Something sweet and enjoyable is coming to an end or crashing down
Save your ears from calling
Protect yourself from hearing unpleasant things or unwanted attention
I say that is appalling like I-I-I-I love you
Expressing disapproval of something in contrast to the intensity of feelings being proclaimed
Let's just stay clear and true
Let's be honest and straightforward in our relationship
And when the sun goes out
Referring to a difficult or dark time in life
Ya like to roam about
You tend to wander or move around aimlessly
And shout about, about, about, how your lover's killing you
Expressing the emotional pain and turmoil caused by a failing romantic relationship
Contributed by Evan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.