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.
Monogamy
Tim Kasher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We picked out a bed
We picked out a pup from the kennel and started life in full
We hung some pictures on the walls
Our nearest, dearest friends
We don't see much of them
Most nights we been staying in
Practicing the monogamy
Friday nights in autumn
Dressed in fleece for high school football
Some of our friends have sons and daughters at St. Pius
The Hannelly's already have four
Our bedrooms been less than intimate
So, I've been taking longer showers
We sleep different hours
And the weekends you're so tired
Now it's birthdays and anniversaries
Monogamy
Monogamy
We both have regrets
Those roads we never drove
But it's pointless to dwell in the what ifs
I mean what if we had never met?
At least there's a mortgage over our heads
No, no, no. A roof's what I meant to say
So, we're stuck in a few ruts
My independence is all but shrivelled up
I guess that's just the price we pay
For monogamy
Monogamy
I tighten my tie
I zip up your dress
I check the invitation on the fridge
"Come celebrate with Tom and Kate
Ten years of wedded bliss"
Tom meets us at the door and takes our coats
Kate stays in the kitchen
I begin to say hello
She stopped in on the telephone
How do we keep up this charade?
Monogamy
Monogamy
Monogamy
Monogamy
Monogamy
Monogamy
The song “Monogamy” by Tim Kasher speaks about the life of a married couple who have settled down and started a routine life which includes practicing monogamy; being faithful to each other. The opening lyrics talk about how they have picked out a house, a bed and a pup, and how they have been staying in most nights practicing monogamy. The couple was excited about starting their life together, but as time passes by, they realize that the intimacy between them has reduced. The lyrics convey the fact that monogamy takes a toll on one’s independence and that there are times when one feels trapped in a few ruts. But, at the same time, being faithful to each other comes with a sense of security that makes it all worth it.
As the song progresses, the couple attends a party where Kate, the wife, stays in the kitchen and Tom, the husband, takes their coats. Here, the lyrics convey that the couple is not the same as they used to be and their relationship has lost its spark. The repetition of the word “Monogamy” in the chorus reinforces the idea that their complacent married life centers around monogamy, and it has become more of a chore than a choice for them. The song portrays how some relationships are built on monogamy, and this can result in varying emotions and feelings for the people involved.
Line by Line Meaning
We picked out a house
We decided to settle down and create a home
We picked out a bed
We made plans for our intimate life together
We picked out a pup from the kennel and started life in full
We started our family by adopting a dog and embraced our new lifestyle
We hung some pictures on the walls
We personalized our living space with decorations and memories
Our nearest, dearest friends
Our closest friends, the ones we could always rely on
We don't see much of them
We haven't had much time for socializing because we're investing in our life together
Most nights we been staying in
We've been very homebody-like and enjoy spending quiet nights together
Practicing the monogamy
We are committed to each other in a monogamous relationship
Friday nights in autumn
Our weekend routine during this season
Dressed in fleece for high school football
We dress casually and enjoy watching football games together
Some of our friends have sons and daughters at St. Pius
Some of our friends have kids who go to a particular school
The Hannelly's already have four
The Hannelly family has four children
Our bedrooms been less than intimate
Our sex life has been in decline
So, I've been taking longer showers
I'm masturbating in the shower to make up for the lack of intimacy
We sleep different hours
Our work schedules and routines are not aligned
And the weekends you're so tired
We don't have energy to do much on weekends due to workweek exhaustion
Now it's birthdays and anniversaries
We are marking important milestones together
Monogamy
Our commitment to staying in a monogamous relationship is being tested
We both have regrets
We have things we wish we had done differently
Those roads we never drove
We missed out on some experiences we will never have
But it's pointless to dwell in the what ifs
We can't undo the past, so it's not worth contemplating
I mean what if we had never met?
Considering that we met, our regrets are less significant
At least there's a mortgage over our heads
We have stability in our financial situation
No, no, no. A roof's what I meant to say
I misspoke and intended to say that we have a home to share
So, we're stuck in a few ruts
We're experiencing some difficulties and lack of excitement in our relationship
My independence is all but shrivelled up
I have lost some of my self-sufficiency within this relationship
I guess that's just the price we pay
We have to accept certain compromises for the sake of our relationship
For monogamy
The decision to commit to living in a monogamous relationship requires sacrifice
I tighten my tie
Getting dressed up for an event
I zip up your dress
Helping each other get ready
I check the invitation on the fridge
Preparing to go to a party
"Come celebrate with Tom and Kate
A party invitation from friends
Ten years of wedded bliss"
Our friends are celebrating their long-lasting marriage
Tom meets us at the door and takes our coats
We arrive at the party and greet our friends
Kate stays in the kitchen
Our friend Kate is busy preparing food
I begin to say hello
We start to socialize with our friends
She stopped in on the telephone
Kate is clearly not interested in socializing and is avoiding us
How do we keep up this charade?
We're struggling to maintain appearances of happiness and well-being in our relationship
Monogamy
The tension we're feeling is a result of our choosing to stay in a monogamous relationship
Monogamy
Our commitment to this type of relationship comes with both rewards and challenges
Contributed by Luke G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Metatron Tumultum
I'm a huge fan of cursive and of Tim. Underrated has seldom applied more. Creative songwriting and sharp lyricism.
Ryan Joseph Long
Love it! Lots of different elements!
Bobby Jae
Aragorn on the Violin and Judd Apatow on the piano/trumpet!
But wow! I love it. Go Audiotree!
Rudi
Wow so nice!
slowdownLA
"WHAT ARE YOU MISSSING!!!?" this sound is goodlife. Thought Tim be outta this phase #snoozeville
patrick judge
How did Tim kasher get a guy who looks more like Tim kasher than Tim kasher does to play xylophone?
endlesschris
his younger brother playing drums