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.
Mister Main
Ty Segall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Need to know
How you write it oh so plain
Write it
Oh Mister, Oh Mister
Oh Mister, you write it
Need to know
How you write it oh so plain
Write it
Oh Mister, Oh Mister
Oh Mister, you keep it
He said I love you lady
I need to know
I need to know
I need to know
I need to know
The opening lines of Ty Segall's song "Mister Main" seem to be a direct address to someone whom the singer admires for their ability to write in a simple and straightforward way. The repetition of "Oh Mister, Mister Main / Need to know / How you write it oh so plain / Write it" creates a sense of urgency and admiration. The singer seems to be struggling to find this kind of clarity in their own writing, and they are seeking guidance from Mister Main.
As the song continues, we hear the singer quoting someone else ("He said I love you lady") and expressing a strong desire for knowledge and understanding ("I need to know / I need to know / I need to know"). The song as a whole seems to be about the frustration and longing that can come with a creative pursuit, particularly when grappling with the challenge of expressing oneself clearly and honestly. The specific role of Mister Main - whether he is a real person or simply a persona the singer has created - is left somewhat unclear, but his ability to write "so plain" is clearly something the singer deeply respects and wishes to emulate.
Overall, "Mister Main" is a compelling exploration of the often-mystifying process of writing and creating, and the desire to find a sense of clarity and meaning in one's work.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh mister, Mister Main
Addressing or referring to the songwriter, Mister Main, with respect
Need to know
Desire to understand or learn something from Mister Main
How you write it oh so plain
Curiosity about the songwriter's ability to craft a simple and direct music style
Write it
Request to Mister Main to share his songwriting process or tips
Oh Mister, Oh Mister
Repetition of the songwriter's name or title, conveying admiration or familiarity
Oh Mister, you write it
Acknowledgment of Mister Main's talent and expertise in writing music
He said I love you lady
Narration of a man's spoken words expressing love or affection to a woman
I need to know
Repetition of the artist's earlier desire to know or understand something
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: TY GARRETT SEGALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind