White Town is a techno-pop act (actually only one man, Jyoti Mishra, born i… Read Full Bio ↴White Town is a techno-pop act (actually only one man, Jyoti Mishra, born in Rourkela, India, on July 30, 1966; Mishra has lived in the United Kingdom since the age of three), often regarded as a one-hit wonder for its 1997 song "Your Woman", which sampled a 1930s song called "My Woman" by Al Bowlly, which was featured in the Dennis Potter drama Pennies From Heaven. This single was often known not by its name, but by the title of the EP it originally appeared on - ">Abort, Retry, Fail?_".

Mishra, a straight edger and ex-Marxist, often incorporates political concerns in his songs veiled in terms of personal relationships (as in his only hit). After a troubled working relationship with EMI Records, Mishra was dropped from the label in 1997 and since then has gone back to working with indie labels like Parasol Records. His last album, 2000's Peek & Poke, received moderately enthusiastic reviews but sold pitifully compared to his major label work.

In 2005 White Town contributed the song "The PNAC Cabal" to the charity album "Voyces United for UNHCR" (Voyces United for UNHCR (disc 1)).

In October 2006 White Town released a new album, Don't Mention The War on Mishra's own label, Bzangy Records.

That's Just So
White Town Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What are the lyrics?
I dunno, it's hard to listen, 'cause like
It's drowned out yeah

Yeah

I wouldn't say that I loved you

I wouldn't say that I wanted you
Unless I thought it was forever
Not till I found something better

And did I dream you were with me
By my side, sleeping peacefully
When I awoke, you were long gone
Left behind, no right or wrong

Oh oh, I guess that's just so
Oh oh, I guess that's just so

I wouldn't say that I loved you
I wouldn't say that I needed you
Unless I thought it was forever
Not till I found someone better

Oh oh, I guess that's just so
Oh oh, I guess that's just so

Oh oh, I guess that's just so
Oh oh, I guess that's just so

Overall Meaning

The song "That's Just So" by White Town is an introspective reflection on the singer's past relationships. The opening lines set the tone for a sense of detachment and distance from the experience of listening to someone else's problems. The singer seems to be listening to someone talk, but decides it is not worth paying attention to since it is drowned out by other noise. This may be a way for the singer to convey a feeling of insignificance about the problems of others, suggesting that they are not as important as his own life experiences.

The lyrics repeat the message that the singer of the song would not say that they loved or wanted someone unless they believed it was forever. They also state that once they found something or someone better, they would move on without hesitation. The song seems to be exploring themes of love, loss, and the inevitability of change. The singer questions the value of past relationships and admits that they are always searching for someone better.

Overall, the song seems to be about the singer's reluctance to commit to anyone or anything unless they are convinced that it will last forever. It suggests that they are not looking for love, but rather something more intangible and elusive. Perhaps, they are searching for a feeling of completeness or wholeness, which they have not yet found.

Line by Line Meaning

I dunno, it's hard to listen, 'cause like
I find it difficult to pay attention to what's being said because something else is overpowering it

It's drowned out yeah
It's been overpowered by something else

I wouldn't say that I loved you
I wouldn't express that I have a strong feeling of affection towards you

I wouldn't say that I wanted you
I wouldn't say that I desire to have you

Unless I thought it was forever
Only if I believed that it would last forever

Not till I found something better
I wouldn't harbor romantic feelings for you unless I found someone better

And did I dream you were with me
Did I have a dream that you were by my side

By my side, sleeping peacefully
Laying next to me, sleeping calmly

When I awoke, you were long gone
When I awoke, you weren't there anymore

Left behind, no right or wrong
Left behind without any clear indication of whether it was right or wrong

Oh oh, I guess that's just so
Oh oh, I suppose that's just how it is