Wussy is a four-piece rock and roll band comprising ex-Ass Ponys frontman C… Read Full Bio ↴Wussy is a four-piece rock and roll band comprising ex-Ass Ponys frontman Chuck Cleaver (guitar, vocals), Lisa Walker (guitar, vocals), Mark Messerly (bass, keyboards) John Erhardt (pedal steel) and Joe Klug (drums). They formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in the early 2000's with original drummer Dawn Burman.

Cleaver and Walker began playing together in 2001 as a result of Cleaver’s stage fright when asked to perform a brief run of solo shows. The duo’s first performance was largely unplanned and yet went without incident.. so they agreed to continue and expand. Mark Messerly joined in 2002 as bassist and utility man, and Dawn Burman joined on drums shortly thereafter. The four-piece has released three full-length albums and one EP on their native Cincinnati’s Shake It label. Klug joined the band shortly after Burman's departure in early 2009.

The band is known for its use of "an army of alternately droning and jangling guitars" (Uncut 6/09) to offset the traditional three-minute pop format. Lyrics are typically split evenly between Cleaver and Walker.

Their work has met with critical praise from Rolling Stone and SPIN, both of which gave the band’s second and third albums four stars each, in addition to favorable reviews from Village Voice, NPR, Washington Post, Uncut, and many other press outlets. The “Dean of American Critics” Robert Christgau placed the band’s first two albums (Funeral Dress and Left for Dead) on his Best of the Decade list, and their third album (Wussy) ranked tenth in his best of 2009 Dean’s List.

Maglite
Wussy Lyrics

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Is this your first time?
Was that the last straw?
I've got my stage fright safe in a glass jaw.

Is this a bad time or the wrong place?
Under the porch light you had your game face on.

So baby I can see you from here,

registering perfectly clear.
And I guess I gotta hand it to you.

I'm such a lost cause. What do we do -
At the last call when I smile that way at you?

Is this a late show or a fist fight?
I've got my crossbow.
You've got your Maglite on.

So baby I can see you from here,
Registering perfectly clear,
And I guess I gotta hand it to you.

You've got your windows down,
So baby I can hear you this way.

I'm drowning so fast in your wake
That I never know what I'm swimming to.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wussy's song "Maglite" paint a picture of a troubled and intense relationship. The opening lines suggest a conversation between two people, possibly a couple, who have been through a lot together. The singer asks if this is their first time or if they have reached a breaking point, implying that they have been through some difficult situations before. The next line, "I've got my stage fright safe in a glass jaw," suggests that the singer is vulnerable and afraid, but is still trying to put on a brave face.

The rest of the lyrics use vivid imagery to describe the intensity of the relationship. The references to a late show and a fist fight suggest that the relationship is often tense and unpredictable. The line "You've got your Maglite on" is particularly striking, as it describes a flashlight used in self-defense. This suggests that the relationship is often fraught with danger.

Despite the difficulties, the singer seems to have some affection for the other person. They describe watching the other person from a distance and admiring their resilience. However, they also acknowledge that they are "such a lost cause" and don't know what to do to make things better. The final lines suggest that the singer is struggling to keep up with the other person's pace and is struggling to keep afloat in the wake of their intensity.

Overall, "Maglite" is a powerful and evocative song that explores the complexities of a tumultuous relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Is this your first time?
Are you inexperienced or new to this?

Was that the last straw?
Was that the final problem or issue?

I've got my stage fright safe in a glass jaw.
I'm scared of performing, but my vulnerability is protected.

Is this a bad time or the wrong place?
Is this an inconvenient or unsuitable situation?

Under the porch light you had your game face on.
In the light, you looked determined and prepared.

So baby I can see you from here, registering perfectly clear. And I guess I gotta hand it to you.
I can perceive your emotions well from here and I have to acknowledge your skills.

I'm such a lost cause. What do we do - At the last call when I smile that way at you?
I'm in a hopeless situation. What should we do when I smile at you at the end of the night?

Is this a late show or a fist fight?
Is this a nighttime performance or a physical altercation?

I've got my crossbow. You've got your Maglite on.
I have a weapon for defense. You have a flashlight for illumination.

You've got your windows down, So baby I can hear you this way. I'm drowning so fast in your wake That I never know what I'm swimming to.
Your car windows are open, so I can hear you clearly. I'm so immersed in your energy that I don't know what I'm chasing after.

Contributed by Leah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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