Don Bosco (guitar, bass, drums, backing vocals, etc), minus a permanent bass player, the band played, recorded and released their first demo cassette WITCHDOCTOR 1991. This was followed up with contributions to other compilations such as Jealous Craft and GangBang.
Leslie Low later went on to play in Humpback Oak, and is now better known as one part of The Observatory. Don Bosco was also part of Daze, as well as Peculiar Remedies, and now messes with people's brains through his writing for magazines and TV shows.
How would the band's music be described? An early clash of folk-rock-psych-pop, meshed with either the most heartfelt of lyrics from Leslie or witty-ditties from Don. To sample their brand of bedroom pop:
www.twangbarkings.com
In Sept 2006: they released their second demo, Black Twang, recorded in the early-90s, recovered recently.
HEY!
Twang Bar Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want you to stay
I want you to go away
Coz i'll be there to hold you
Far
So far i can't see
What you're doing to me
Can't remember
Can't remember you
Can't remember you
But i want you to stay
Hey
I say it's okay
I told you to stay away
Coz i'll be there to miss you
Fuck
So fucked i can't say
What you're doing to me
I think i really need you
Can't remember
Can't remember you
Can't remember you
But i want you to stay
Can't remember things you do for me
Can't remember things i do for me
I want you to stay
I want you to go away
I want you to stay
I want you to go away
The lyrics of "Hey!" by Twang Bar Kings presents a narrative of a conflicted individual who is unsure about the state of their relationship. The singer appears to be torn between wanting their partner to stay with them and wanting them to leave. The use of the expletive, "fuck," in the first line of the song is indicative of their frustration and confusion, as they do not know what they really want. They are unable to make up their mind about whether they need the person they are addressing, which is demonstrated in the line "Do I really need you?"
The chorus of the song seems to provide some clarity to the situation as the singer declares that it is okay for the person in question to stay away. However, they immediately backtrack on that statement by saying that they will miss them if they go away. The repetition of the line "Can't remember you" suggests that the singer is struggling to come to terms with their ambiguous emotions towards this person. They acknowledge that they can't remember some of the things they have done for each other but are still unable to decide if it is time to move on.
Overall, the song is a representation of the inner conflict that can arise in relationships when emotions are unclear and uncertain. The singer of the song is wrestling with their feelings and unable to make up their mind as to whether their partner should stay or go.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck
Expressing frustration and confusion about the situation with the other person.
I want you to stay
Desiring the presence of the other person even though there may be problems or conflicts in the relationship.
I want you to go away
Feeling overwhelmed and needing space from the other person.
Coz i'll be there to hold you
Despite the uncertainties and struggles, there is still a desire to comfort and support the other person.
Far
Feeling a distance between oneself and the other person, both physically and emotionally.
So far I can't see
The extent of the other person's impact and intentions is unclear and confusing.
What you're doing to me
The other person's actions and behavior are causing emotional turmoil and distress.
Do I really need you?
Questioning the necessity and importance of the other person in one's life.
Can't remember
Feeling forgetful and uncertain about the past.
But I want you to stay
Despite the lack of clear memories, there is still a strong desire to have the other person around in the present.
Hey
Calling out to the other person, seeking their attention and response.
I say it's okay
Trying to appear unaffected and unbothered by the situation.
I told you to stay away
Previous attempts to distance oneself from the other person have been made, but the desire for their presence still persists.
Coz i'll be there to miss you
Despite potential feelings of hurt and abandonment, there is still an attachment and longing for the other person.
So fucked i can't say
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to fully articulate the emotional turmoil being experienced.
I think i really need you
Despite any doubts or conflicts, there is a realization that the presence of the other person is important and desired.
Can't remember things you do for me
Difficulty recalling specific instances of the other person's kindness or contribution to the relationship.
Can't remember things i do for me
Uncertainty and lack of clarity regarding one's own contributions and efforts in the relationship.
I want you to go away
Feeling overwhelmed and needing space from the other person, despite the desire for their presence.
I want you to stay
Desiring the closeness and connection with the other person, despite any conflicts or difficulties in the relationship.
Contributed by Nathaniel W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.