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.
Stranger Than Stranger
Tim Kasher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So don't set a plate for me
Our department's been getting slim
Since the comebacks in marketing
Put your pictures on my desk
I'm wearing the sweater you made
So give the girls a kiss for me
Tell them daddy's working late
Was the first thing that she ever said to me
I was all alone at happy hour
She thought I could use some company
It's strange we're strangers
I might not make it home
I guess I've used than line before
My excuses are wearing thin
And you patience is getting worse
You're always fast asleep
When I sneak into be at night
Or at least that's how it seems
It seems, we'll do anything to hide the lie
The worst thing you could ever say to me
Could be the last thing that you'll ever say to me
I can see you boxing up the kitchen
With the girls beside you wrapping dishes
Don't be a stranger
You don't have to say a word
You don't have to make excuses
You don't have to change for me
We'll continue on as strangers
You don't have to say a word
(The worst thing that she ever said to me)
You don't have to make excuses
(Was the first thing that she ever said to me)
You don't have to change for me
(I was all alone at happy hour)
We'll continue on as strangers
(She thought I could use some company)
Stranger than strangersâ?¦
The song "Stranger Than Strangers" by Tim Kasher speaks of a relationship that has lost its spark and has become distant. The lyrics suggest that the singer is not coming home, and he asks his partner not to set a plate for him. He acknowledges that they have become distant, and his excuses for not being present are wearing thin, and it seems like his partner's patience is also wearing thin. He talks about their attempts to hide the lie they both know exists in their relationship. The suggestion that they'll continue on as strangers is highlighted through the lyrics, "don't be a stranger" and "we'll continue on as strangers."
The chorus repeats the line "stranger than strangers," which illustrates the fact that they have become distant even though they know each other, and their relationship has become estranged. The woman's worst words to him were when she first spoke to him, and he was alone at happy hour. He recalls that she thought he could use some company, and they started their relationship from there. The lyrics do not state the reason for their relationship falling apart, but it's clear that they are not able to salvage it.
Overall, the song speaks of the reality that all relationships are not successful and that sometimes despite the best efforts of both parties, things may fall apart. The theme of the song is relatable, and many people have experienced what the lyrics suggest.
Line by Line Meaning
I might not make it home
I might not return home tonight, as I have said this before on several occasions.
So don't set a plate for me
You do not need to prepare a plate for me if I do not return.
Our department's been getting slim
Since the comebacks in marketing
Our department has been downsizing since marketing has experienced a resurgence.
Put your pictures on my desk
I'm wearing the sweater you made
I have placed your pictures on my desk, and I am wearing the sweater you had made for me.
So give the girls a kiss for me
Tell them daddy's working late
Please give the girls a kiss on my behalf and inform them that I will be working late.
The worst thing that she ever said to me
Was the first thing that she ever said to me
The most dreadful thing she ever told me was the first thing she ever spoke to me.
I was all alone at happy hour
She thought I could use some company
I was alone at the happy hour, and she assumed I wished for companionship.
It's strange we're strangers
It is unusual how we have become strangers to each other.
I guess I've used than line before
My excuses are wearing thin
And you patience is getting worse
I recognize that I have said this too many times, and my explanations are becoming less convincing. Your patience with me is also decreasing.
You're always fast asleep
When I sneak into be at night
Or at least that's how it seems
It seems, we'll do anything to hide the lie
You are always asleep when I arrive at night, or at least it appears that way. We will do anything to prevent the truth from surfacing.
The worst thing you could ever say to me
Could be the last thing that you'll ever say to me
The most hurtful statement you could make to me might be the final thing you say to me.
I can see you boxing up the kitchen
With the girls beside you wrapping dishes
I can visualize you packing up the kitchen with the children assisting you by wrapping the dishes.
Don't be a stranger
Please do not become a stranger to me.
You don't have to say a word
(The worst thing that she ever said to me)
You do not need to speak if your words will be as discouraging as hers.
You don't have to make excuses
(Was the first thing that she ever said to me)
It is unnecessary to make excuses if they will be as hurtful as her initial words to me.
You don't have to change for me
(I was all alone at happy hour)
You do not need to modify your behavior or actions to suit me as she allegedly did at the happy hour.
We'll continue on as strangers
(She thought I could use some company)
We will persist as strangers, much like how she assumed I needed company.
Stranger than strangers...
Our relationship has become stranger than how people typically act around strangers.
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