Song Spotlight: Spacehog's In the Meantime (a night at The Regent Theater)

Whenever I do band Q&As, I sometimes ask the following question: Would you rather be a 1 hit wonder known all around the world -OR- have a steady underground following?  And then of course, why the choice? 

In late June, I got the opportunity to catch Spacehog and EMF co-head at The Regent Theater. You can read my US Rocker Music review here. For good or bad, both bands are seen as one hit wonders. Spacehog has "In the Meantime" while EMF has "Unbelievable." Per Spotify, "In the Meantime" has been streamed nearly 136 million times. "Unbelievable" has been streamed 129 million times. I do believe that both songs were also their debut singles.   

Spacehog at The Regent Theater

After watching the passionate reaction from the crowd at The Regent Theater, I suspect my question isn't really an either / or type of question. During Spacehog's set, the crowd was totally engaged throughout the night. The cheers for an encore after "In The Meantime" were loud and lasting. A couple that were behind me looked to be in their late teens or early twenties were dressed to kill and I could hear one of them say, "This is the greatest night of my life." Of course, he later backtracked that over-statement, but you get the point that the crowd was thrilled that the bands were coming through town. 

Spacehog at The Regent Theater

I get the sense that both bands have both a steady underground following as well as being known by the larger rock community as a one hit wonder. Should we really be saying that certain underground bands had an unexpected breakthrough hit versus being a one hit wonder? 

Per a Songfacts interview, the song "In the Meantime" is about ending isolation. Per Genuis, it is about human decency. The two seem to be two different topics. Ending isolation seems to be an individual pursuit while human decency seems like a more global goal. Both can be found in the lyrics. 

Spacehog at The Regent Theater

In regards to ending isolation there are the lyrics:

While it's on my mind, there's a girl that fits the crime
For a future love dream that I'm still to find

In regards to human decency there are the lyrics:

Give my love to the future of the humankind

Spacehog at The Regent Theater

All this against the backdrop of a catchy futuristic opening and those strong male driven vocals. 

Spacehog Setlist: Crack City (Tin Machine cover), Cruel to Be Kind, Earthquake, Love Is A Curious Thing, Ship Wrecked, Only A Few, Carry On, Zeroes, Mungo City, Starside, In The Meantime. Encore: Beautiful Girl.