"UUVVWWZ started as a band in 2007 in Lincoln, Nebraska. When we came up with the name we laughed. I wrote it on a ripped up brown paper bag that we had drawn some of our song structures on and pronounced while pointing, “Double ‘U’ double ‘V’ double ‘W’… ‘Z.’” Then we went back to working on our songs and being creative together with a good chance of pasta and cigarette breaks.
In that year we wrote 9 songs and decided to record them before Teal left town for school. We talked about following her in the summer and getting a place to eat and drink and make music, but she decided to stay in Lincoln and so it went: Recording, Pressing, and a Tour.
We left in our tour mate Darren’s mom’s minivan and headed east and then down the coast towards shows and beaches, keenly following an abstract dream.
People compared us to musicians and bands we had to look up (Dog Faced Hermans, Lydia Lunch, The Pop Group) and some that were familiar (Deerhoof, Captain Beefheart, Bow Wow Wow), they dubbed us Avant-Rock and Blues. One man unintentionally called us Power-Jazz after we interrupted his silent contemplation outside of a coffee shop, but that’s a different story… that starts like this:
After our tour of the East Coast we planned another just for Lincoln. On July 25, 2008 we played 5 shows in one day at the aforementioned coffee shop, a house, a street corner, a venue, and a Marquee overlooking “O” St. that runs straight through downtown Lincoln. We made tour shirts and drove a total of 15 blocks as we performed for a couple hundred people throughout the day.
Since then Teal, Tom, Dustin and I have been playing shows in Nebraska, deliberately writing and composing (songs and bios), and anticipating tours. Pursuing our creative dreams as a unit."
- Jim
The Sun
UUVVWWZ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need to tell you about vacations
While you're sewing on a blue gown to play in
Nobody's looking
I could see watching you on the surface of the sun
The sun the sun the sun the sun the sun it's the sun
In the golden hour light fluctuates between faces smiling
And meaning aching
I could see watching you on the surface of the sun
The sun the sun the sun the sun the sun the sun
Hot to death you're gonna turn the earth
The lyrics of UUVVWWZ's song "The Sun" may seem cryptic at first glance, but a closer examination reveals a certain poetic sensibility that may resonate with listeners. The song begins with a reference to Chelsea, a neighborhood in New York City known for its art scene and bohemian vibe. The singer then expresses a desire to tell Chelsea about vacations, perhaps hinting at a longing for escape from the pressures of everyday life. Meanwhile, Chelsea itself seems to be preoccupied with sewing a blue gown to play in- a playful yet purposeful act.
Despite being too focused on their own tasks, however, the singer observes that nobody seems to be paying attention, allowing them to watch from afar. The repeated mantra of "the sun" reinforces the idea that there is a pervasive light or energy that illuminates these scenes. The "golden hour" mentioned later in the song represents a liminal space between day and night, where emotions can simultaneously be uplifting and melancholic. In the final line, "Hot to death you're gonna turn the earth," there is a sense of impending doom or at least an acknowledgment of the transient nature of life.
Overall, "The Sun" may be interpreted as a meditation on the beauty and fragility of existence, with a particular focus on the moments where we feel most alive. By weaving together seemingly disparate images and ideas, UUVVWWZ creates a tapestry of emotion that is both elusive and evocative.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleepy, sunny Chelsea
In a relaxed state, in a place with bright and warm weather resembling the neighborhood Chelsea.
I need to tell you about vacations
I have a desire to discuss leisure time spent away from work or daily routine.
While you're sewing on a blue gown to play in
As you're working on creating a blue dress to use as a costume.
Nobody's looking
No one is watching or noticing what's happening.
I could see watching you on the surface of the sun
I can imagine observing you as if you were on the incredibly bright and hot surface of the sun.
The sun the sun the sun the sun the sun it's the sun
Multiple repetitions of the word 'sun' to emphasize the intense brightness and heat of the sun.
In the golden hour light fluctuates between faces smiling
During the time just before sunset or sunrise, the lighting changes and alters appearances as people show expressions of joy.
And meaning aching
As people experience moments of happiness, there's also underlying emotional pain.
Elsewhere sheets are waving
In other places, bed covers are being moved along by the wind.
I could see watching you on the surface of the sun
Imagining monitoring you even in the extremely hot and intense environment of the sun.
The sun the sun the sun the sun the sun the sun
More repetition of 'sun' to reiterate its prominence and potential danger.
Hot to death you're gonna turn the earth
As a result of the sun's heat, the earth will eventually become too warm and potentially uninhabitable.
Contributed by Tyler G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.