Over time, formed in Davis, United States in 1984, the band retained on singer-songwriter and guitarist Guy Kyser and guitarist Roger Kunkel, with a changing lineup of drummers and bass guitarists. It was noted for its twin guitar attack (compare Television), innovative use of feedback structures and oblique lyrics. The Rough Guide to Rock called Thin White Rope "one of the few worthwhile traditional American guitar rock bands of their era. While most of the essential groups of the time were pushing back the limits of the form, Thin White Rope had the distinction of managing to breathe new life into the genre."
The band contributed a cover of Roky Erickson's Burn the Flames to the 1990 Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye tribute album.
Thin White Rope disbanded in 1992. The double live LP The One That Got Away chronicles its epic last show in Ghent, Belgium, on 28th June of that year.
Triangle
Thin White Rope Lyrics
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Nothing I can wrap reasons around
But I can ignore it if I look real hard
And make perfect triangles out of every three stars
Sometimes I make burns on my arms
Cause it moves that feeling from my heart to my arms
And I'm driving and it keeps me awake
Now that I have planted the seed
Maybe those triangles will form without me
Surround the world in their crystalline ache
And freeze the heroes into glassy mosaics
The lyrics of Thin White Rope's song "Triangle" depict a sense of emotional distress and a search for solace. The singer acknowledges feeling down without being able to fully comprehend the reasons behind it. However, they find a way to escape this feeling by focusing on creating perfect triangles out of stars. This act of looking for patterns in the night sky serves as a distraction, allowing the singer to temporarily ignore their emotional turmoil.
The second verse introduces a darker coping mechanism. The singer admits to making burns on their arms, which provides a physical release for the emotional pain they feel. This self-destructive behavior is described as a way to transfer the emotional burden from the heart to the arms. The singer suggests that this act of self-harm offers temporary relief and keeps them awake while driving, indicating a constant struggle to cope with their emotions.
In the final lines, the singer contemplates the impact of their actions. They hope that by creating triangles, symbolizing order and structure, they can bring about a sense of clarity and healing in the world. They imagine the triangles surrounding the world with an ache, possibly denoting a shared emotional burden that freezes heroes into glassy mosaics. This imagery suggests that even those who are usually strong and revered can be immobilized and trapped in their own emotional pain.
Overall, "Triangle" explores themes of emotional distress, seeking distraction, coping mechanisms, and the possibility of finding collective healing through individual actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I am feeling just a little down
I am experiencing a slight feeling of sadness or melancholy
Nothing I can wrap reasons around
There is no logical explanation or justification for my current state of mind
But I can ignore it if I look real hard
By consciously exerting effort, I can attempt to disregard or suppress this feeling
And make perfect triangles out of every three stars
I can find solace or distraction by imagining and forming geometric shapes using groups of celestial objects
Sometimes I make burns on my arms
Occasionally, I inflict intentional burns on my arms
Cause it moves that feeling from my heart to my arms
This action serves as a means to physically transfer or alleviate the emotional pain from my heart to my arms
And I'm driving and it keeps me awake
While driving, this activity prevents drowsiness and helps me stay alert
I have so many more triangles to make
I still have numerous opportunities to create additional geometric shapes and derive comfort from them
Now that I have planted the seed
Now that I have initiated a certain process or idea
Maybe those triangles will form without me
Perhaps the formations of these triangles will occur independently or spontaneously, without my direct involvement
Surround the world in their crystalline ache
Envelop the world in their clear and precise manifestation of emotional pain
And freeze the heroes into glassy mosaics
Transform the heroes or admirable figures into frozen, static representations characterized by fragility and the beauty of intricate patterns
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Guy Kyser, Matt Abourezk, Roger Kunkel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind