A brief history of Trout Music: Grimwood's professional musical experience began when, as the precocious teenage bass player, he began sitting in with jazz musicians who had socks older than him. Always the good student, he earned a degree in music from the University of Houston and then quickly landed a position with the Houston Symphony. By that time Idlet had given up his spot on the bench of a local junior college basketball team to pursue a life of rock & roll. It was shortly thereafter that Idlet and Grimwood met as members of the Houston based eclectic folk/rock band St. Elmo's Fire which became the perfect percolator for Trout Fishing in America. As St. Elmo's dissolved in 1979, Trout Fishing in America was officially born. Idlet and Grimwood had become best of friends and musical partners.
Success happens when opportunity meets preparation. After years of accumulating original songs and polishing their performance TFIA was ready when the CD revolution took place. TFIA was in the first wave of artist owned labels (Trout Records) to successfully record and market their own music. Their infectious mix of folk/pop and family music is tempered by the diverse influences of reggae, latin, blues, jazz and classical music. TFIA recordings have garnered three National Indie Awards and multiple Parents Choice Gold and American Library Awards as well as 4 Grammy nominations. TFIA has also expanded their touring territory to over forty states and several Canadian provinces.
Sharing knowledge and encouraging art has become another musical mission of TFIA. In the past few years they have developed a variety of song writing workshops for teachers and students which illustrate how art and music come from the fabric of everyday life. Their willingness to make fun of our most annoying and sometimes disgusting habits in one song then touch our hearts with tender and passionate images of family life in the next is what makes the connection between Trout Fishing in America and their audience so real.
Tongue Tied
Trout Fishing in America Lyrics
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Tongue tied, I tried not to talk,
My stomach was tied up in knots,
I'm not doin' this and not doin' that,
And not doin' what I should not.
But if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
I'm runnin' the distance and carryin' the torch,
Puttin' out flames, leavin' lights on the porch,
Into thinkin' I'm somethin' I'm not;
But if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
Tongue tied I tried not to say what I meant,
But the truth blurted out, 'bout a hundred percent,
You can beat on the door, but you can't make a dent,
Thinkin' you're somethin' you're not;
And if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
Balance the weight of a careless caress,
With anticipation of love and I miss,
I see through the foolish but still can be fooled,
To thinkin' I'm somethin' I'm not;
And if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
Heyyyyyyy....Tongue tied!
(It repeats itself, over and over it repeats itself.)
Tongue tied, I tried not to talk,
My stomach was tied up in knots,
I'm not doin' this and not doin' that,
And not doin' what I should not.
But if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
I'm runnin' the distance and carryin' the torch,
Puttin' out flames, leavin' lights on the porch,
I see through the foolish but still can be fooled,
To thinkin' I'm somethin' I'm not;
But if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
Heyyyyyyy....
Tongue tied I tried not to say what I meant,
But the truth blurted out, 'bout a hundred percent,
You can beat on the door, but I can't pay the rent,
Thinkin' I'm somethin' I'm not;
And if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
And if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm sorry,
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm not.
The song "Tongue Tied" by Trout Fishing in America narrates about personal struggles with self-identity and the constant battle to stay true to oneself. The track talks about the frustration that comes with hiding or lying about one's opinion to fit in with others, explaining that although it is frustrating, one should not apologize for being truthful. The lyricist expresses in the song that it is better to be honest and upfront than trying to be something they are not.
Furthermore, the song conveys that it is easy to be fooled into thinking something about oneself, but it is vital to recognize the truth before it's too late. This becomes challenging when faced with external pressures or personal expectations. The song advises listeners to be comfortable with themselves and not apologize for who they are.
Overall, the song offers encouragement to listeners to be genuine and true to oneself rather than trying to conform to society's expectation.
Line by Line Meaning
Tongue tied, I tried not to talk,
I struggled to keep quiet and not speak,
My stomach was tied up in knots,
I was feeling very nervous and anxious,
I'm not doin' this and not doin' that,
I am avoiding certain actions or behaviors,
And not doin' what I should not.
I am refraining from doing things that I know I shouldn't do,
But if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
I am not apologizing for my actions or lack of actions,
I'm runnin' the distance and carryin' the torch,
I am taking on a lot of responsibilities and working hard towards my goals,
Puttin' out flames, leavin' lights on the porch,
I am dealing with problems and trying to maintain the safety and security of my home and loved ones,
I see through the foolish but still can be fooled,
I am able to recognize stupidity, but sometimes I fall for it myself,
Into thinkin' I'm somethin' I'm not;
I sometimes deceive myself into believing that I am someone I am not,
But if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
Once again, I do not apologize for this behavior,
Tongue tied I tried not to say what I meant,
I struggled to express myself properly and not give away my true thoughts or intentions,
But the truth blurted out, 'bout a hundred percent,
Despite my efforts to hold back, I spoke my mind completely and honestly,
You can beat on the door, but you can't make a dent,
You can try to change me or influence me, but you won't succeed,
Thinkin' you're somethin' you're not;
Trying to pretend or convince yourself that you are someone you are not will not work,
And if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
Once more, I refuse to apologize for my actions or words,
Balance the weight of a careless caress,
Striking a balance between a reckless action and a loving gesture,
With anticipation of love and I miss,
Feeling hopeful and excited about love, but also feeling its absence,
I see through the foolish but still can be fooled,
I understand folly and idiocy, but am still capable of being tricked or misled,
To thinkin' I'm somethin' I'm not;
Once again, I am susceptible to deluding myself into thinking that I am someone I am not,
And if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
I will not apologize for my actions, even if others think I should,
Heyyyyyyy....Tongue tied!
Repeating the opening sentiment of feeling anxious and unable to express oneself,
(It repeats itself, over and over it repeats itself.)
But if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
The song ends with the final declaration that no apology will be given,
Tongue tied, I tried not to talk,
The opening line of the song is reiterated, bringing it full circle.
My stomach was tied up in knots,
Once again, emphasizing the anxious feelings of the singer,
I'm not doin' this and not doin' that,
Reinforcing the idea that the singer is avoiding certain actions or behaviors,
And not doin' what I should not.
Stating once again that the singer is refraining from negative actions,
And if you're thinkin' I'm sorry, I'm not.
The final line reiterates the refusal to apologize for one's actions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cathy Gould
on Pico De Gallo
Written ny Emily Kaitz and Marilyn Cain