They signed with Murderecords, the label of fellow Haligonians Sloan, in 1994 in time to release their Smart Bomb EP, which featured songs such as Benvie's "French Inhale" and Plaskett's "Hated It". The former would get some rotation on MuchMusic, which then held a reputation for more "alternative" programming, while the latter would end up in the Kevin Smith film Mallrats.
Following the release of the band's second EP, The Great Pacific Ocean, in 1996 the group signed with Elektra Entertainment which released their first full-length album in 1997, Sweet Homewrecker. The Memphis recorded album features many great tracks showcasing the maturing songwriting talents of Plaskett, Benvie and McGettigan. The album proved a disappointment from Elektra's standpoint however, and Thrush Hermit were bought out of their contract.
After their foray into the United States market, Thrush Hermit returned north to release their final album Clayton Park on Sonic Unyon Records in 1999. While indisputably the band's best record, Thrush Hermit amicably disbanded in 1999. Plaskett is now a solo artist. Benvie released a solo record under the moniker "Tigre Benvie", and McGettigan began producing records by such acts as his old band mate Plaskett, and other Canadian rock acts such as The Flashing Lights. Benvie and McGettigan are now the main members of Camouflage Nights, which features a revolving door cast of musicians.
Songs for the Gang
Thrush Hermit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Couldn't bear the test
The love you cannot talk about hacksawed from your chest
In songs for the guys, songs for the girls
Growing on you
But wearing on me
Let's all get down to songs for the gang
Metal tracks run east and west
Carry heavy loads
The love you cannot talk about
Unless it's love grown cold
Sing the songs for the guys
Songs for the girls
The lyrics to Thrush Hermit's song "Songs for the Gang" depict the struggles of forbidden love and the inescapable desire to express it. The mention of "metal hearts" that "couldn't bear the test" alludes to the hardness of the heart when struggling with such intense emotions. The line "The love you cannot talk about hacksawed from your chest" suggests that the inability to express this love feels like a violent removal of a part of oneself. This is further emphasized in the lines "Metal tracks run east and west/Carry heavy loads/The love you cannot talk about/Unless it's love grown cold," which depicts the heavy burden and weariness that comes with having to keep such intense emotions hidden and unspoken.
While the verses express the pain of harboring such emotions, the chorus shifts the tone to a more celebratory one, suggesting a feeling of camaraderie and unity in shared experiences. The call to "Let's all get down to songs for the gang" reflects the desire to come together and find solace in music that speaks to these struggles. The repetition of "songs for the guys, songs for the girls" emphasizes the universality of these emotions and experiences, regardless of gender.
Overall, "Songs for the Gang" is a powerful and emotive song that speaks to the deep pain and isolation that can come with forbidden love, yet also celebrates the power of music to bring people together in shared experiences of struggle and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Metal hearts both north and south
People from both the northern and southern regions with tough and durable hearts
Couldn't bear the test
Unable to withstand the challenges
The love you cannot talk about hacksawed from your chest
The love that is hidden deep within one's heart, cut out savagely like with a hacksaw
In songs for the guys, songs for the girls
Songs that are relatable to both men and women
Growing on you
Becoming more appealing or enjoyable to you
But wearing on me
Becoming tiresome or irritating to me
Let's all get down to songs for the gang
Let's enjoy songs that bring us together as a group
To the songs for the gang
Dedicated to the songs that unite us as a collective
Metal tracks run east and west
Railway tracks that run in both directions
Carry heavy loads
Transporting massive burdens
The love you cannot talk about
The love that is kept hidden
Unless it's love grown cold
Unless the love has vanished and grown cold
Sing the songs for the guys
Let's appreciate and sing along to songs that reflect the male experience
Songs for the girls
Let's appreciate and sing along to songs that reflect the female experience
Contributed by Daniel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.