The group was fronted by a female singer (Sarah Shannon) (original lead singer Bridget Cross left to join Unrest) and featured both female and male vocals, sometimes simultaneously. In the group's recordings, Shannon's voice had a light, airy quality with a slight vibrato.
The band took its name from a Primal Scream B-side.
Velocity Girl released three recordings on the Sub Pop label, Copacetic (1993), Simpatico (1994), and Gilded Stars and Zealous Hearts (1996). Velocity Girl disbanded in October 1996 (although a reunion show was played in 2002 to benefit original singer Cross). Sarah Shannon, Kelly Riles and Jim Spellman reunited in a short-lived project called Starry Eyes which released a single EP Starry Eyes (1997, Radiopaque).
Guitarist Archie Moore went on to form The Heartworms and The Saturday People.
Sarah Shannon currently (2002-2007) records as a solo artist.
I Can't Stop Smiling
Velocity Girl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many times before I could hardly even force one to my face
I'll trade you a smile for a shake
I know that's something you just can't fake
It could mean nothing
It could mean nothing, it could mean everything
When you started playing rough
Fit you like a boxing glove
I can't stop smiling long enough to pretend to sympathize
Only months ago you would never even take the time to write
(I can't figure this line out for the life of me. Help Craig!)
I'm not listening anyway
So tell me something
So tell me something, I can do anything
Show me that I'm wrong enough
Need to know that kind of stuff
Can't stop smiling long enough today
The song "I Can't Stop Smiling" by Velocity Girl is about someone who is unexplainably happy despite their previous inability to force a smile. The lyrics suggest that the cause of their newfound happiness is unknown to them. The singer seems to be searching for a reason for their happiness, asking others to tell them something so they can feel like they are not wrong in their happiness. Despite the uncertainty, the singer is content with their current state and is unable to stop smiling.
The line, "Only months ago you would never even take the time to write" suggests that the singer has experienced a shift in their relationships, possibly with the person they are addressing in the song. The person they are singing to has not given them the time of day in the past, but the singer is now so happy that they are not bothered by it.
The singer also mentions that they cannot stop smiling long enough to pretend to sympathize, which could mean that they are so happy that they cannot bring themselves to feel someone else's pain. This could suggest that their happiness is a selfish one, but the singer seems unconcerned with that.
Overall, "I Can't Stop Smiling" is a catchy and upbeat song about being happy for no apparent reason. The lyrics suggest that the singer is content with their current state, despite the uncertainty surrounding their happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't stop smiling and I don't know why I want to anyway
I can't stop smiling even though I don't understand why I feel this way
So many times before I could hardly even force one to my face
In the past, I found it difficult to force a smile
I'll trade you a smile for a shake
I'll exchange a smile for a handshake
I know that's something you just can't fake
A genuine smile cannot be faked
It could mean nothing
A smile might not indicate anything significant
It could mean nothing, it could mean everything
A smile could have different meanings depending on the situation
When you started playing rough
Your behavior became more aggressive
Fit you like a boxing glove
Your newfound aggression suited you well
Can't stop smiling long enough to say
I'm too happy to stop smiling and talk about it
I can't stop smiling long enough to pretend to sympathize
I'm too happy to pretend to care or sympathize with you
Only months ago you would never even take the time to write
You never bothered to write to me just a few months ago
I'm not listening anyway
I'm not paying attention to what you're saying
So tell me something
Say something to me
So tell me something, I can do anything
Whatever you tell me, I can handle it
Show me that I'm wrong enough
Prove to me that I'm incorrect in my thinking
Need to know that kind of stuff
I need to learn and understand that kind of information
Can't stop smiling long enough today
Today, I'm too happy to stop smiling even for a moment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
GalacticShrub
One of the best bands of the 90's. These guys definitely deserve more recognition!
J T
This was definitely on my playlist when I was hiking in the mid 90’s, thanks VG and SubPop!! I miss this group but glad to see Sarah still singing, fantastic voice!
Bernard Loveland
I still love this band!!
you can't leave this empty
This has a very June 13, 1994 feel to it.
ZEROREZ
I don't think you Clowns got the ironic idea . . . 2:30
Eugene Green
Right? Exactly to the date! Lol
T D
Oddly specific, and yet I agree 100%.
Lawrence Frauens
I love this song.
stablewill
I took my kids to see the Not-Its in Seattle at the Folklife Festival a number of years ago and that's when I realized it was Sarah singing! She is super nice and even remembered Velocity Girl playing Carbondale, IL back in the 90's, which was the one and only time I saw them live.
Jesus Suarez Otero
Love this band, love this song💙🎼💙🎼💙