Missed the Boat

Modest Mouse

About Missed the Boat

"Missed the Boat" is a song by American indie rock band Modest Mouse and is the sixth track on their 2007 album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. The song was released as the second single from that album and peaked at #24 in Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. James Mercer of The Shins sings backup vocals on "Missed the Boat".


Year:
2007
4:24
404 
#1

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While we're on the subject
Could we change the subject now?
I was knocking on your ear's door, but you were always out
Looking towards the future
We were begging for the past
Well, we know we had the good things
But those never seemed to last
Oh, please just last

Everyone's unhappy
Everyone's ashamed
Well, we all just got caught looking
At somebody else's page
Well, nothing ever went
Quite exactly as we planned
Our ideas held no water
But we used them like a dam

Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell
Saying, "Yes, this is a fine promotion"
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell

Of course everyone goes crazy
Over such and such and such
We made ourselves a pillar
We just used it as a crutch
We were certainly uncertain
At least, I'm pretty sure I am
Well, we didn't need the water
But we just built that, good God damn

Oh, and I know this of myself
I assume as much for other people
Oh, and I know this of myself
We've listened more to life's end-gong
Than the sound of life's sweet bells

Was it ever worth it?
Was there all that much to gain?
Well, we knew we missed the boat
And we'd already missed the plane
We didn't read the invite
We just dance at our wake
All our favorites were playing
So we could shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Tiny curtain's open, and we heard the tiny clap of little hands
A tiny man would tell a little joke, and get a tiny laugh from all the folks
Sitting, drifting around in bubbles, and thinking it was us that carried them
When we finally got it figured out, that we had truly missed the boat

Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and we owned all the tools ourselves
But not the skills to make a shelf with
Oh, what useless tools ourselves

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Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band who were formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington, by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, their lineup has centered around Brock, Green and Judy. Guitarist Johnny Marr (formerly of The Smiths) joined the band in May 2006, along with percussionist Joe Plummer (formerly of the Black Heart Procession) and multi-instrumentalist Tom Peloso, to work on the album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. Guitarist Jim Fairchild joined the band in February 2009. Their name is derived from a passage from the Virginia Woolf story "The Mark on the Wall" which reads, "I wish I could hit upon … more »

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Written by: ERIC JUDY, ISAAC BROCK, JEREMIAH GREEN, JOE PLUMMER, JOHNNY MARR, TOM PELOSO

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Information
"Missed the Boat" is a track from Modest Mouse’s fifth studio album 'We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank,' which was released in 2007.
Collaboration
The song features backing vocals by James Mercer of "The Shins," marking an interesting collaboration between two influential indie rock acts.
Chart Performance
"Missed the Boat" peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Alternative Songs chart, showcasing the song's commercial success.
Songwriting
Lead singer of Modest Mouse, Isaac Brock, wrote the song. His cryptic lyrics often explore themes of existential angst, social alienation, and the human condition.
Music Video
The music video for "Missed the Boat" employs a blend of live-action and computer-generated imagery. The video, directed by Christopher Mills, connotes themes of regret, loss, and missed opportunities.
Album Success
The album, 'We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank,' marked a peak in Modest Mouse's popularity—it topped the Billboard 200 albums chart in the US.
Genre Classification
"Missed the Boat," like many Modest Mouse songs, can be classified under the genre of indie rock, but it also incorporates elements of alternative rock and folk rock.
Lyrical Theme
The lyrics of "Missed the Boat" metaphorically explore the idea of having missed opportunities and the subsequent feelings of regret. It uses imagery of missing a departure as a representation of this.
Instrumentation
The song features a combination of electric guitar, drums, and occasional use of violin, providing it a distinctive sound typical of Modest Mouse's discography.
Concert Favorite
"Missed the Boat" often features in Modest Mouse's live concerts and is considered a fan favorite, highlighting the enduring popularity of the track.
Critical Reception
Many critics praised "Missed the Boat" for its poignant lyrics, memorable melody, and engaging instrumental arrangements, solidifying its reputation as a standout track in Modest Mouse's catalogue.

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