Kasher has a very close relationship with Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes. They grew up in Nebraska together, went to the same Catholic high school, Creighton Prep. It is rumored that Tim taught Oberst to play guitar. In the Bright Eyes song, "Nothing Gets Crossed Out" Oberst sings, "yeah Tim I heard your album and it's better than good. When you get off tour I think we should hang and black out together." (referring to the album Black Out by The Good Life, released in 2002 on Saddle Creek Records.) Furthermore, Oberst later sang backup on the song "Staying Alive," from Cursive's 2003 effort The Ugly Organ.
Kasher temporarily disbanded Cursive after the departure of guitarist Steve Pedersen (who left to pursue a law degree at Duke University. He now leads the Saddle Creek band Criteria). He married and moved to Portland, Oregon. According to interviews, Kasher went through a bitter divorce in 2000, which led to the regrouping of Cursive, as well as providing the inspiration for The Good Life album Black Out, and Cursive's Domestica.
The Good Life was originally planned to be a solo project. Kasher wanted to experiment with different types of lyrics and melodies. He released Novena on a Nocturn on Better Looking Records. He then recruited Ryan Fox, Roger Lewis and Stephanie Drootin into the band and released Black Out, Lovers Need Lawyers EP and Album of the Year.
Kasher created a another record with Cursive which was released in August 2006, entitled Happy Hollow. In 2009, Cursive released their latest effort, 'Mama, I'm Swollen'. The Good Life, despite a near breakup in late 2005, returned to the studio to release the album, 'Help Wanted Nights' in September 2007.
Under his own name, Tim Kasher recorded a song called "Stranger Than Strangers" which was released on a compilation CD called "My Favorite Songwriters." He released the solo album 'The Game of Monogamy' in 2010, and a follow-up disc of songs from that session called 'Bigamy', in 2011.
Break Me Open
Tim Kasher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sound of the ocean, an infinite current
To carry us
Now, there's a silence in the air
Equally infinite, but utterly desolate
A desert hush
I packed up my old childhood
If someone would only dive down
And recover it
Break me open
I've got my crosses to bear
I'll be a husband, I'll be a father,
I'll be your friend
But don't hang me up all at once
It's best not to barter with how much
Your martyr will overstretch
With arms held out so wide,
You once nuzzled up inside
Now, they're padlocked across
This chest of old resentments
Break me open
(this morning has opened my eyes)
These daily rehearsals, concentric circles
Of you and I
I can't find the bullseye)
I fell down a well in my mind
And I can't traverse it
No, I can't reverse it so save my life
If only you'd throw down a rope
But you can't be bothered,
You've got your own problems,
You've had enough
Not that I could blame you
Okay, we both know that's a lie
You shoulder the blame as I
Stomach the shame in this
Bottomless cavern
If you'd break me open
If you should ever read this,
It's not a cry for help
It's a plea for some far deeper need
We couldn't possibly fathom
Break me open
"Break Me Open" by Tim Kasher is a song that explores themes of emotional isolation, loss, and the longing for connection. The opening lines express a shift in the singer's perception of the world. They once believed in the power of the ocean's sound to carry them, but now there is a desolate silence in the air, symbolizing a loss of hope and a feeling of emptiness. The metaphor of packing up their old childhood and throwing it into the abyss reflects a sense of letting go, perhaps of past traumas or regrets. The plea for someone to "dive down and recover it" suggests a desire to reclaim innocence or a connection to their past self.
The chorus, "Break me open," serves as a repeated plea for vulnerability and emotional release. The singer acknowledges their role as a husband, father, and friend, but also expresses the need to be seen and understood fully. The mention of crosses to bear suggests a burden that they are willing to carry, but there is a caution against being overwhelmed by the expectations and demands of others. The arms once open and welcoming have become padlocked with old resentments, symbolizing emotional barriers that have been built over time.
In the bridge, the idea of daily rehearsals and concentric circles implies a repetition and stagnation in the relationship between the singer and the subject of the song. The mention of not being able to find the "bullseye" suggests a struggle to find a sense of purpose or fulfillment within this dynamic. The verse about falling down a well in the mind symbolizes a descent into despair and the inability to find a way out. The plea for someone to throw down a rope represents a desire for help and support that is not being met.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to believe in the sound
I once had faith in the soothing sound
The sound of the ocean, an infinite current
The tranquil rhythm of the ocean, a never-ending flow
To carry us
To guide and support us
Now, there's a silence in the air
But now, there is a pervasive silence
Equally infinite, but utterly desolate
Just as endless, but profoundly empty
A desert hush
A barren stillness
I packed up my old childhood
I gathered my past and memories
And threw it in the abyss
And cast it into the abyss
If someone would only dive down
If only someone could brave the depths
And recover it
And retrieve what was lost
Break me open
Unravel me, expose my vulnerabilities
I've got my crosses to bear
I have my own burdens to carry
I'll be a husband, I'll be a father, I'll be your friend
I will fulfill the roles of a husband, a father, and your friend
But don't hang me up all at once
But please don't overwhelm me all at once
It's best not to barter with how much
It's better not to negotiate the extent
Your martyr will overstretch
That your sacrifices will strain me too far
With arms held out so wide, you once nuzzled up inside
With my arms wide open, you used to seek comfort within
Now, they're padlocked across
Now, they are locked shut
This chest of old resentments
Inside this heart, harboring old grievances
Break me open
Unleash the buried emotions within me
(this morning has opened my eyes)
(This day has enlightened me)
These daily rehearsals, concentric circles of you and I
Our repetitive routines, revolving around each other
I can't find the bullseye)
I can't locate the center, the true purpose
I fell down a well in my mind
I descended into a mental abyss
And I can't traverse it
And I can't cross it
No, I can't reverse it so save my life
No, I can't undo it, even if it costs me everything
If only you'd throw down a rope
If only you would offer me a lifeline
But you can't be bothered
But you are indifferent
You've got your own problems
You have your own troubles to handle
You've had enough
You are exhausted and overwhelmed
Not that I could blame you
Not that I could hold it against you
Okay, we both know that's a lie
Well, deep down we both know it's untrue
You shoulder the blame as I
You carry the guilt while I
Stomach the shame in this
Endure the humiliation within
Bottomless cavern
An unfathomable abyss
If you'd break me open
If only you would allow me to be vulnerable
If you should ever read this
If by chance you come across these words
It's not a cry for help
It's not a plea for assistance
It's a plea for some far deeper need
It's a desperate appeal for a profound longing
We couldn't possibly fathom
Beyond our comprehension
Break me open
Allow me to be vulnerable, to reveal my true self
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: Tim Kasher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ruth neumann
how are there no comments?
Louis Vega
ruth neumann how are there not that many views?