Segall began his recording career as a part-time musician in various underground bands in Orange County and the San Francisco Bay Area, before beginning a solo career in 2008. Segall's first solo release was the cassette Horn The Unicorn released on the Wizard Mountain label (later re-released by HBSP-2X on vinyl record). Around the same time, Wizard Mountain also released a split cassette featuring Segall and the band Superstitions entitled Halfnonagon.
In 2012, Segall released three LPs: His solo album, Twins; a collaboration with White Fence titled Hair and Slaughterhouse, an album with the Ty Segall Band.
5 Feet Tall
Ty Segall Lyrics
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Coming back, coming home
Well, that can't be me
'Cause I heard you're all alone
I'm not coming back
To your arms now
I'm not coming back
You said you're sorry for the things that you done
You said you love me and you're done being on the run
But you know you have said this to me before
And when I defended you, you still walked right out the door
I'm not coming back
To your arms now
I'm not coming back
I'm not coming home
I can still remember you, all five-foot-tall
And when I looked up at you, I felt very small
I thought you were just what I want to be (ooh)
And I don't need your picture hanging on my wall
'Cause if I hung it up, I'm sure that it would fall
I thought you were just what I want to be (ooh)
And I don't need your picture hanging on my wall
I remember you just fine, you're five-foot-tall
Tall, tall, tall
Yeah
In Ty Segall's song "5 Feet Tall," the lyrics depict a narrative about a tumultuous relationship. The song begins with the singer acknowledging their return to a familiar place, possibly their former lover's home. However, they quickly dismiss the idea, stating that it can't be them because they've heard that their former lover is alone. This suggests that the relationship has ended, and the singer has moved on.
The chorus reinforces this notion of moving on, as the singer repeatedly declares that they are not coming back to their former lover's arms or home. The reasons for this detachment become evident in the second verse. The former lover apologizes for past mistakes, professes their love, and claims to have changed. The singer, however, reveals that they have heard these promises before and been let down. Despite defending the former lover in the past, they ultimately walked out on the singer, causing emotional pain and disappointment.
The final verse adds depth to the feelings of the singer. They recall the physical presence of their former lover, describing them as five feet tall. This image evokes a sense of vulnerability and the power dynamic within the relationship. The singer felt small in their presence, admiring their qualities and aspiring to be like them. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer has realized they don't need their former lover's validation or their picture hanging on their wall. They've grown stronger and no longer desire to be like the person who caused them pain. The closing repetition of "tall" emphasizes the contrast between the singer's growth and the former lover's stature.
Overall, "5 Feet Tall" captures the emotional journey of moving on from a toxic relationship, acknowledging the pain and growth that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
You see me coming
You are aware of my presence
Coming back, coming home
Returning to a familiar place or situation
Well, that can't be me
I cannot be the one you are referring to
'Cause I heard you're all alone
Because I have heard that you are without companionship
I'm not coming back
I am not returning
To your arms now
To the embrace of your love at this moment
I'm not coming back
I am not returning
I'm not coming home
I am not returning to my place of origin
You said you're sorry for the things that you done
You expressed remorse for your past actions
You said you love me and you're done being on the run
You claimed to love me and to have ceased evading responsibility
But you know you have said this to me before
However, you are aware that you have made similar statements to me in the past
And when I defended you, you still walked right out the door
And despite my support for you, you still chose to leave abruptly
I can still remember you, all five-foot-tall
I can still recall your stature, only five feet in height
And when I looked up at you, I felt very small
And when I gazed upon you, I felt insignificant in comparison
I thought you were just what I want to be (ooh)
I believed you embodied the qualities I aspired to possess
And I don't need your picture hanging on my wall
And I have no desire to display your image on my wall
'Cause if I hung it up, I'm sure that it would fall
Because if I were to hang it, I am certain it would eventually come down
I thought you were just what I want to be (ooh)
I believed you embodied the qualities I aspired to possess
And I don't need your picture hanging on my wall
And I have no desire to display your image on my wall
I remember you just fine, you're five-foot-tall
I remember you perfectly, you possess a height of five feet
Tall, tall, tall
Significantly tall
Yeah
Yes
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Ty Garrett Segall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind