Throwing Muses is known for performing music with shifting tempos, creative chord progressions, unorthodox song structures, and surreal lyrics. The group was set apart from other contemporary acts by Hersh's stark, candid writing style; Donelly's pop stylings and vocal harmonies; and David Narcizo's unusual drumming techniques eschewing use of cymbals. Hallucinatory, febrile songs by Hersh occasionally touched on the subject of mental illness, more often drawing portraits of characters from daily life or addressing relationships.
Donelly left the band in 1991 and was a member of The Breeders and Belly, before starting to perform solo. She also contributed vocals to the Throwing Muses self-titled album in 2003. Hersh has also worked solo, and fronts the power trio 50 Foot Wave (which also includes Muses bassist Bernard Georges). Narcizo works in graphic design and has a musical project Lakuna.
In March 2003, Throwing Muses came back with their eighth album, Throwing Muses, which also saw the return of Tanya Donelly who provided backing vocals on the album. A greatest hits compilation titled Anthology was released in 2011. The band's ninth album, Purgatory / Paradise was released on October 29, 2013 in the UK and November 11 in the US. In early 2014, the band toured a few U.S. cities, with Donelly opening for the East Coast dates.
Shimmer
Throwing Muses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Underneath the tarp
It don't rain under the water
It don't rain inside my heart
Don't follow me home
Don't follow me home
You walking in the gulf stream
Tail between your legs
It's just funny in your head
Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on
My tongue is filled with sugar
And my back is filled with pain
Your tongue is on my shoulder
And there's nothing on my brain
Don't follow me home
Don't follow me home
Shake barrels of whiskey down my throat
I'll still see straight
Ride out on a pony
Even loose I won't be late
Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on
I'll ride on a pony
Till I'm dusty and I'm old
My head is filled with flowers
And I'm dressed in shiny gold
I'm dressed in shiny gold
Keep an eye on me I shimmer on horizons
Keep an eye on me I shimmer on horizons
A shimmer on horizons
A shimmer on horizons
A shimmer on horizons
A shimmer on horizons
A shimmer in your eyes, son
A shimmer in your eyes, son
A shimmer in your eyes
The song "Shimmer" by Throwing Muses is a complex and layered piece with intricate lyrics that require careful analysis to fully understand the meaning behind them. At its core, the song is about the complex, often confusing relationships we have with the people in our lives, especially those who we love but who may not always make sense to us. The opening lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone floating beneath the surface of the water, protected from the rain and the storms that rage above. This image can be interpreted in many ways, but it seems to suggest that the person in question is hiding from something, seeking refuge from the turmoil of the outside world. Similarly, the line "Don't follow me home" can be seen as a plea for privacy and distance, a declaration that the singer wishes to be left alone and not pursued by someone who may be causing them pain or discomfort.
The second verse deepens the sense of confusion and mixed emotions portrayed in the song. There are references to pain and pleasure, sugary sweetness and numbness, all jumbled together in a confusing mess. The line "Your tongue is on my shoulder / And there's nothing on my brain" suggests a lack of clear thought or understanding, a sense of being overwhelmed by physical sensations without being able to articulate or make sense of them. The final verse brings the song to a close with a sense of hope and purpose. The singer declares that they will keep moving forward, riding their pony through life, and embracing the shimmering beauty of the world around them.
The song "Shimmer" has been interpreted in many ways by fans and critics over the years, but its true meaning remains elusive and open to interpretation. Some see it as a meditation on the difficulties of maintaining relationships over time, while others see it as a commentary on the human condition and our constant search for meaning and purpose in life. Whatever its true meaning, the song remains a powerful and haunting piece of music that continues to resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
You in the water
The subject is in the water.
Underneath the tarp
The subject is under a tarp.
It don't rain under the water
It is not raining underwater.
It don't rain inside my heart
The subject is not emotionally affected by the rain.
Don't follow me home
The subject does not want to be followed home.
Don't follow me home
The subject reiterates that they do not want to be followed home.
You walking in the gulf stream
The subject is walking in the gulf stream.
Tail between your legs
The subject is walking with an ashamed demeanor.
It's not funny if you ask me
The subject does not find the situation humorous.
It's just funny in your head
The perceived humor is only in the other person's head.
Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on
Reiteration of waiting or pausing.
My tongue is filled with sugar
The subject speaks sweetly or deceptively.
And my back is filled with pain
The subject is physically suffering.
Your tongue is on my shoulder
The other person is speaking closely or intimately to the subject.
And there's nothing on my brain
The subject is not thinking about anything.
Don't follow me home
The subject does not want to be pursued to their home.
Don't follow me home
The subject reiterates that they do not want to be followed home.
Shake barrels of whiskey down my throat
The subject is consuming large amounts of whiskey.
I'll still see straight
The subject will still be able to function despite alcohol consumption.
Ride out on a pony
The subject is riding a pony away from the situation.
Even loose I won't be late
The subject is confident they will not be delayed.
Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on
Reiteration of waiting or pausing.
I'll ride on a pony
The subject plans to ride a pony.
Till I'm dusty and I'm old
The subject will continue riding the pony for a long time.
My head is filled with flowers
The subject is in a state of happiness or euphoria.
And I'm dressed in shiny gold
The subject is adorned in gold.
I'm dressed in shiny gold
Reiteration of subject being adorned in gold.
Keep an eye on me I shimmer on horizons
The subject is asking the other person to keep watching them as they shine brightly in the future.
Keep an eye on me I shimmer on horizons
Reiteration of subject's desire for the other person to watch their success.
A shimmer on horizons
The subject's success will be bright and shining.
A shimmer on horizons
Reiteration of the subject's future success being bright.
A shimmer on horizons
Reiteration of the subject's future success being bright.
A shimmer on horizons
Reiteration of the subject's future success being bright.
A shimmer in your eyes, son
The other person is excited or impressed by the subject's prospects.
A shimmer in your eyes, son
Reiteration of other person's excitement or admiration for the subject's future success.
Lyrics © HEYDAY MEDIA GROUP LLC
Written by: Kristin Hersh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oscarsoto9512
Años buscando esta cancion , hasta ahorita la encuentro no sabia que era del 94! Genial me transporta a los 90 s
@evillink1
The riff on this is sick yo!
@azhbaha
I still remember distinctly where I was when I first heard this song. Hooked right away.
@jballantyne553
Along with The Real Ramona one of the best albums ever...
@DrTommyGouranga576
Ride out on a pony! wanna get out the tent and set off in the rain singing this epic song! so hyped how it builds gets me inspired..
@1peterbrooks
Still amazing, still .......
@ericzook4852
saw the at tipatinas in the big n.o first time seeing them live after being a fanboy since house tornado, patience is its own best reward
@Mathertron
Best skate video section ever....I will forever love this song
@nodes74
Playing fields
@Mathertron
@@nodes74 <3 it makes wanna skate right now. I'm 41, its 2246 and i have work tomorrow but i might just go roll about for an hour :D