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.
stroll
Throwing Muses Lyrics
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I used to hear
Inside the wall
Now I don't hear at all
The opening lines of Throwing Muses's song Stroll are a reflection of the disconnection and detachment that the singer feels. The first two lines suggest that the singer was once an attentive listener, but the final two lines imply that this is no longer the case. The metaphor of "inside the wall" is fascinating - it could mean that the singer once had access to something that was now inaccessible, or it could refer to the singer feeling trapped or confined within a particular situation or relationship. The line "Now I don't hear at all" is particularly poignant, as it suggests a complete withdrawal from whatever the singer was previously engaged with. It's possible that this line is indicating a descent into depression or apathy, as it is a common symptom of these conditions to lose interest in things that once brought joy or stimulation.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more abstract and introspective. One interpretation is that it is exploring the singer's innermost thoughts and desires. The line "Want to go where nobody knows" suggests a desire for anonymity, for an escape from the constraints of the singer's current life. The line "Push the camera up my nose" is particularly interesting, as it could mean that the singer wants to reveal their true self, or it could be a reference to invasive medical procedures, indicating that the singer feels exposed and vulnerable. The scattered imagery and abstract language typical of this song's lyrics make it open to interpretation, inviting listeners to project their own meanings and emotions onto it.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to listen
There was a time when I paid attention
I used to hear
There was a time when sound reached my ears
Inside the wall
Behind the barrier, within the confines
Now I don't hear at all
Presently, there is complete absence of auditory perception
Lyrics © HEYDAY MEDIA GROUP LLC
Written by: KRISTIN HERSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind