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.
Pulverized
Wussy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stand up straight and tall and shout about it
Shelf life nipped in the bud
Don't look now but now you're sitting
In a back seat riddled with doubt
Have no fear, the fun is just beginning
Must get better than this
You say "no" and i feel pulverized
Is it carved in bone or set in stone
Regardless, i've been wondering
If the ever after thing is true
Rockefeller said the word,
Flipped the bird and came out thundering
But rockefeller never dealt with you
Think it's better to nod
Choking on a breathing apparatus
Hope gets lost in the mud
Your heel print filling up with dirty water
Sun comes out like a --- (?)
Burning our protective outer layers
Do you love me or not
You say "sure" and i feel pulverized
Is it carved in bone or set in stone
Regardless, i've been wondering
If the ever after thing is true
Rockefeller said the word,
Flipped the bird and came out thundering
But rockefeller never dealt with you
Love that's stronger than dirt
Stand up straight and tall and shout about it
Do you love me or not
You say "sure" and i feel pulverized
The lyrics in Wussy's song Pulverized hint at the confusion and uncertainty that comes with being in a relationship. The words "Love that's stronger than dirt", speaks to the strength of the love two people share, but the following line "Stand up straight and tall and shout about it" suggests that perhaps the relationship is not as strong as initially thought. The line "Shelf life nipped in the bud" could be interpreted as a desire to end the relationship early before it becomes too messy or hurtful.
The lyric "You say 'no' and I feel pulverized" illustrates the pain that comes with rejection, and the line "Hope gets lost in the mud" evokes a feeling of despair and a sense of giving up. The mention of "a breathing apparatus" suggests a feeling of suffocation or being trapped, and the line "Sun comes out like a ---" could be interpreted as a moment of clarity or realization that the relationship is not what it was hoped it would be.
Line by Line Meaning
Love that's stronger than dirt
Love that is indestructible and unbreakable
Stand up straight and tall and shout about it
Be proud of your love and declare it to the world with confidence
Shelf life nipped in the bud
The future of a relationship is cut off prematurely
Don't look now but now you're sitting
You are in a disadvantageous position without realizing it
In a back seat riddled with doubt
Feeling uncertain and insecure about a relationship while being in a vulnerable position
Have no fear, the fun is just beginning
Despite doubts, be optimistic about the potential of a relationship
Must get better than this
Expectations for the relationship to improve
You say "no" and i feel pulverized
Rejection causing emotional pain and distress
Is it carved in bone or set in stone
Wondering whether a relationship is fated or predetermined
Regardless, i've been wondering
Despite not knowing the answer, the thought still lingers
If the ever after thing is true
Questioning the existence of true love or soulmates
Rockefeller said the word,
Referencing the power and influence of wealthy people
Flipped the bird and came out thundering
Ignoring the rules and expectations of society and making their own path to success
But rockefeller never dealt with you
Implying that the person's love is unique and incomparable to others
Think it's better to nod
Choosing to pretend or agree with something instead of being honest
Choking on a breathing apparatus
Feeling constrained or suffocated by societal norms and expectations
Hope gets lost in the mud
Having difficulty seeing a positive outcome or future for a relationship
Your heel print filling up with dirty water
Metaphor for being weighed down and stuck in negativity or bad circumstances
Sun comes out like a --- (?)
The sun shining through represents a hopeful future or positive change
Burning our protective outer layers
Becoming more open and exposing vulnerabilities in order to strengthen the relationship
Do you love me or not
Directly asking for confirmation of love
You say "sure" and i feel pulverized
Feeling crushed or disappointed by a response that is not enthusiastic or passionate
Contributed by Keira M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anna Bagwell
They are such a gift!
joecoool100
I like the burn-out on the lap steel.
FunkKlock
ooooo catchy