The legend of Ugly Casanova was based around the character of Edgar Graham, a.k.a. "Ugly Casanova", who (according to the Ugly Casanova press release) met the band Modest Mouse while backstage at a concert in Denver, Colorado.
"After some prodding, he shared his work with the band, and began performing it early before shows while some people were milling around. Whenever he completed these performances, he retreated quickly with a look of anger and shame. After a time, a few small recordings were created, after which Edgar vanished." The release goes on to mention that the batch of songs found on Sharpen Your Teeth was delivered to Sub Pop, "in a strange parcel filled with Silly Putty and pelts of three unidentifiable rodents."
In truth, Ugly Casanova is a side-project of Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock and a number of other collaborators. In fact, two U.C. tracks -- Baby's Clean Conscience and Parasites have appeared as unreleased Modest Mouse demos from their 1993 "Paracite Sessions".
The origin of the band name itself is contested. Brock has admitted he created the pseudonym to "escape having to do interviews", but Modest Mouse's 1996 EP The Fruit That Ate Itself was credited to the production company "Ugly Casanova", suggesting Brock may have used the name to retain creative control and publishing rights while under a major label.
Though Ugly Casanova is Brock's brainchild, he shares some co-writing and vocal duties with Holopaw's John Orth. The collective also included Tim Rutili (Califone, Red Red Meat), Pall Jenkins (The Black Heart Procession) and Brian Deck.
It seems that another release is unlikely, owing to contract issues between Modest Mouse's label, Epic Records, and the contract Brock signed with Sub Pop Records to produce the record.
Lay Me Down
Ugly Casanova Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got blisters on my feet
Blisters on almost everything I need to move
Lay me down
I've got blisters on my feet
Blisters on almost everything I need right now
Blisters so don't talk to me right now
I've got blisters on my heart
Blisters where we started I was better then
Oh, better then
Lay me down
I've got blisters on my feet
Blisters on almost everything I need to move
Right now I do, you know I can
I've got blisters on my heart
Blisters so jump start, I cannot move right now
Lay me down
Well, as luck would have it
Our luck was [incomprehensible] get away
We forget about it, lay me
Well as luck would have it
Our luck was [incomprehensible]
We forget about it
Lay me down
Lay me down
Lay me down
Lay me down
Well, I know that I can't keep
Myself from falling asleep
But I cannot seem to be
Asleep right now, lay me
Lay me down, lay me down
Oh, lay me down
Lay me down, lay me down
Lay me down, lay me down
The lyrics of Ugly Casanova's song "Lay Me Down" seem to convey the sentiment of exhaustion, both physically and emotionally. The repeated phrase "lay me down" can be interpreted as a plea for rest from the weight of the world. The mention of blisters on the feet, teeth, and heart suggests pain and weariness, which may be caused by difficult circumstances or relationships.
The line "blisters where we started I was better then" could indicate nostalgia for a time when things were easier or simpler. The phrase "blisters on almost everything I need to move" suggests that the singer feels hindered in their ability to progress or move forward in life. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that the singer is in need of a break or respite from their struggles.
Overall, "Lay Me Down" is a powerful and relatable song about the taxing nature of life and the need for rest.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay me down, lay me down
The singer is requesting to be laid down
I've got blisters on my feet
The singer's feet are sore with blisters
Blisters on almost everything I need to move
The singer's blisters prevent almost every movement they need to make
I've got blisters on my teeth
The artist's mouth hurts with blisters, so they prefer not to talk
Blisters so don't talk to me right now
The artist is advising not to talk to them right now due to their mouth's blisters
I've got blisters on my heart
The singer's heart is sore with painful blisters
Blisters where we started I was better then
The singer reminisces of a time when they were better before the blisters on their heart
Lay me down
The artist repeats their request to be laid down
Right now I do, you know I can
The artist confirms they can move after being laid down despite the blisters
Blisters so jump start, I cannot move right now
The artist's blisters are too painful to move, requiring a jump-start
Well as luck would have it
The singer acknowledges their bad luck
Our luck was [incomprehensible]
The artist's luck situation is inaudible
We forget about it
The singer suggests to forget about their unlucky situation
Well, I know that I can't keep
The singer recognizes their inability to stay awake
Myself from falling asleep
The singer is struggling to stay awake
But I cannot seem to be
Asleep right now, lay me
The artist can't seem to fall asleep and asks to be laid down regardless
Oh, lay me down
The artist repeats their request to be laid down
Lay me down, lay me down
The singer repeats their request to be laid down
Lay me down, lay me down
The singer repeats their request to be laid down
Writer(s): Isaac Brock, Tom Peloso, Eric Judy Copyright: Sony/ATV Melody, Ugly Casanova, Party Pants Music, Sony/ATV Harmony, Tschudi Music
Contributed by Lily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.