My Reply

Album: So Long, Astoria (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Group leader Kris Roe wrote this after a female fan of The Ataris who was dying of cancer wrote a letter telling him how much his band made her happy and kept her comforted her before she died. Roe wrote this song and left it on her grave as his reply. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    James Bronco - Mandehell, LA

Comments: 8

  • Dean from Anaheim, California Mon from Brisbane, you are pretty foul for making a joke out of this tribute song written for a late Ataris fan. It’s not about anorexia, it’s about a fan who battled cancer and wrote Kris to thank him for the music she connected with before and during her illness. Kris, without the band on back to back nights, had acoustic sets at Chain Reaction, Anaheim in 2002 a year before So Long Astoria released. With the nature of the show and venue, it was hella intimate and each song had Kris giving the lowdown on its origin. He played my reply stating it was on the upcoming album after explaining its background. You could tell this song meant a lot to him from how he talked about it. I suppose most elite songwriters would connect deeply with their tunes. Highly doubt he’d spill the small beans of what she wrote him. Rest In Peace.
  • Faith from Perth, AustraliaCan anyine tell me exactly what the letter says? I would love to read it.
  • Louise from Calgary, CanadaIt's not about Cancer, it's about eatind disorders, she was anorexic, but she was forced into the hospital and was eating so she turned bulemic, and until she started to throw up blood and she knew she went too far. This can be read in the letter written to Kris in the So Long, Astoria, CD papers.
  • Ruby from Perth, Australiai love the lyrics of this song, especially the 'Just hold on for one more second, just hold on to what you have" and the "Wake up wake up you gotta beleive wake up wake up you cant give up" and "TIME KEEPS MOVING ON WITHOUT US, LONG AFTER WE'RE DEAD AND GONE", very powerful, very valid
  • Carlos from Mexico City, MexicoKris talks about this a little on their live DVD, "Live at Capitol Milling". Buy it.
  • Carlos from Mexico City, Mexicoyeah, he didn't leave the song "on her grave", he sent it back to her as, precisely, a reply. glad to know she's recovered.
  • Meaghan from Ashland, Mai thought she wasn't dying of cancer, she was dying from anorexia. thats why he sounds like she might have a choice in the matter
  • Mon from Brisbane, Australiathe song was written about an australian girl, she has fully recovered now, and was kind enough to make an appearance the last time they played in brisbane
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.