For the bands second album, Hand Over Your Loved Ones, Shannon Harris (from Relish) joined on keyboards. Due to disagreements with the record label, mostly caused by Brendan Brown's wish to self-produce the album, the album received little promotion and did not sell well.
Michael Bellar (keyboards) then joined the band and they re-released their second album (containing two new songs) on their own record label, Montauk Mantis, this time named Suck Fony. In 2005 they released their third studio album, TooSoonMonsoon, once again on their own label.
In 2005, both Mike McCabe (bass) and Michael Bellar (keyboards) left and were replaced by Nicolas diPierro and Gerard Hoffman. Then the following year, diPierro and Pete Brown left and were replaced by Matt Milligan (bass) and Kevin Garcia (drums).
Current lineup:
Brendan Brown (vocals)
Matt Milligan (bass)
Gerald Hoffman (keyboards)
Kevin Garcia (drums)
Johanna Cranitch (backing vocals)
Georgia Haege (backing vocals)
Web-page: http://www.wheatus.com/
William McGovern
Wheatus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to locate the rainbow stream
There I go.. over and under again
He thinks he.. knows where I am without seeing me
And there I stand in the shadow
He casts behind and I am ready holding the man
You'll need and he tries not to rise again
This is the story of William McGovern
He lives undercover
Come rise
Come fall
He doesn't know it yet I feel the pain
Because we never speak cause we run away
And I think that he's bitter like me
Hey father, sing me a song about rock n' roll
And I remember led zepplin 2 in your living room
And I need to be what you would be if you were free
There I stand in the spotlight in your imagination
Brother, holding the good ole brownie
To turn nightmares from haunting him
This is the story of William McGovern
He lives undercover
Come rise
Come fall
He doesn't know it yet I feel the pain
Because we never speak cause we run away
And I think that he's bitter like me
I think he's a little like me
I think he's a little like me
Hey father
Only the names have been changed
Hey father
Only the names have been changed
Hey father...
The lyrics of Wheatus's song William McGovern tell the story of the titular character who lives his life undercover, trying to locate the rainbow stream. The singer seems to have a close relationship with William McGovern and feels his pain even though they never speak because they both run away. The singer compares William to himself and thinks that he is bitter like him. The song also touches upon the singer's relationship with his father and how he wishes to be what his father would be if he were free. The singer remembers listening to Led Zeppelin 2 with his father in the living room and seeks comfort in holding his camera to turn away the nightmares that haunt him.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be about feeling lost and trying to find one's place in the world. William McGovern represents anyone who may feel isolated or different and must live their life undercover. The lyrics also touch upon the idea of generational differences and the desire to be like or be understood by one's parents.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are
We are in this situation.
Trying to locate the rainbow stream
Attempting to find something that is difficult to attain or doesn't exist.
There I go.. over and under again
I am struggling and encountering obstacles.
He thinks he.. knows where I am without seeing me
Someone believes they know where I am or what I'm feeling without truly understanding.
And there I stand in the shadow
I am living in someone else's shadow.
He casts behind and I am ready holding the man
Someone is projecting their own issues onto me, but I am prepared to take control.
You'll need and he tries not to rise again
The other person needs me, but is struggling not to rely on me.
This is the story of William McGovern
This is the story of someone who is living in disguise or hiding their true self.
He lives undercover
He is not living authentically.
Come rise
There is potential to overcome challenges and succeed.
Come fall
There is potential to fail and fall back into old habits.
He doesn't know it yet I feel the pain
The other person is not aware, but their actions are hurting me.
Because we never speak cause we run away
We do not communicate honestly and instead avoid confrontation.
And I think that he's bitter like me
I sense that the other person is also holding onto grudges and negative feelings.
Hey father, sing me a song about rock n' roll
I am seeking connection and a nostalgic reminder of happier times with my father.
And I remember led zepplin 2 in your living room
I reminisce on a specific memory with my father in his home.
And I need to be what you would be if you were free
I desire to live authentically and break free from societal constraints imposed on me by my father.
Brother, holding the good ole brownie
I have a cherished keepsake or memory of my sibling.
To turn nightmares from haunting him
The brownie serves as a source of comfort and protection for my sibling.
I think he's a little like me
I see some of myself mirrored in the other person.
Only the names have been changed
The people and situations discussed are real, but the names have been altered for anonymity.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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