The band began in the bedroom of Justin Kennedy who, in his early days, played with Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) in the Seattle band Pinwheel. Having relocated to Los Angeles after Pinwheel broke up, Kennedy began focusing on his new project and started assembling members for Army Navy. Multi-instrumentalist Louie Schultz joined swiftly after hearing Kennedy’s home demos. Without a permanent sticks man at the time of recording the first album, Army Navy’s album boasted drumming by the legendary Pete Thomas of Elvis Costello and The Attractions, who had been a longtime fan of the band. Army Navy soon found their permanent drummer Douglas Randall.
Army Navy released their first (Lasus produced) album on their own Fever Zone Label in 2008. CMJ called it “..some of the brightest pop released this year”. The quartet’s first single “My Thin Sides” was paired with a video featuring Paul Scheer of Human Giant. The second single “Saints” which Blender Magazine called “a lovely indie-rock swoon” was the Single Of the Week on iTunes Australia and was released on the UK’s Fierce Panda’s Club Fandango Label. Stateside, it gained radio rotation on tastemaker stations like KEXP and KNRK and satellite radio’s indie-leaning XMU station.
The band featured on Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. They also featured in the Shrek Forever After theatrical trailer, Beastly Film and Soundtrack, The Bachelor ABC TV commercial, and shows like: Weeds, The OC, Numbers, Greek, and many more.
On tour the band has supported such groups as: The Lemonheads, Arctic Monkeys, The Dodos, The Soft Pack, The Like, and Cut Copy; as well as explosive shows at SXSW and CMJ and the UK’s Truck festivals. The band was asked to be musical guests on the short-lived Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.
In 2010 the band self-financed the recording of their second album. They once again called upon producer and engineer Adam Lasus (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Yo La Tengo, Helium). The album is The Last Place.
Their third full-length album, The Wilderness Inside, was released on July 15, 2014.
Saints
Army Navy Lyrics
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I keep on dressin' while I'm pushing you away
Don't stop just bring the strays
This is what I've done
To keep from here on strong
Cause if a girls night highlights
I finally got it, I wont give it up
Remember when you said you liked that
It's played out so clear off
Willingness in you can't be replaced
Remember when you said you'd try that
Like that but it's to late
I want to take it now before this drifts away
Wait 'til the school bell has chimed
They will sing a song, pay me all this love
Cause if a dump truck such luck
You keep pretending I keep you around
Remember when you said you'd try that
Remember when I call and I say
The best girls that I love wont be ashamed
Believe me when I call and I say
The next girl that I love wont be a saint
Now go away
Remember when I call and I say
The best girls that I love wont be ashamed
Believe me when I call and I say
The next girl that I call wont be a saint
Believe me when I call and I say
The best girls that I love wont be ashamed
Remember when I call and I say
The next girl that I love wont be a saint
Now go away
The lyrics of Army Navy's song "Saints" seem to be about a relationship that has hit a rough patch. The singer is struggling to connect with their partner, pushing them away despite their desire to be with them. The line "why can't you be my way" suggests that the singer wants their partner to change to fit their ideal, rather than embracing them for who they are. They continue to push their partner away while they "keep on dressin'," possibly indicating that they are trying to cover up their true emotions or deflect the issue. However, the singer still holds onto hope for the relationship: "wait 'til the school bell has chimed, they will sing a song, pay me all this love."
The chorus seems to be a message to their partner: "Remember when you said you liked that / it's played out so clear off / willingness in you can't be replaced / remember when you said you'd try that / like that but it's too late." The singer is frustrated that their partner has not followed through on promises or suggestions, and that their actions feel insincere ("keep pretending I keep you around"). However, it seems that the singer has given up on this particular relationship - "the next girl that I love won't be a saint / now go away."
Overall, the lyrics of "Saints" explore the complexities of relationships and the difficulty of reconciling one's own desires with those of a partner. The singer struggles with wanting a certain type of person and relationship, while also acknowledging that forcing change or trying to fit someone into a mold won't ultimately be successful.
Line by Line Meaning
Why can't you be my way
I wish you could just be the way I want you to be
I keep on dressin' while I'm pushing you away
I'm trying to look good even though I'm trying to distance myself from you
Don't stop just bring the strays
Keep going and bring the outcasts in
This is what I've done
I've done everything I can to avoid getting too attached to you
To keep from here on strong
So that I don't become too emotionally invested in this relationship
Cause if a girls night highlights
Because if I make a big deal out of girls' nights out
I finally got it, I wont give it up
I finally understand what's important and I won't let it slip away
Remember when you said you liked that
I remember when you liked me for who I was
It's played out so clear off
But now you're over it, so leave me alone
Willingness in you can't be replaced
I know that your willingness to make things work can't be replaced
Remember when you said you'd try that
I remember when you said you'd do whatever it takes to keep us together
Like that but it's to late
But it's too late for that now
I want to take it now before this drifts away
I want to fix things before our relationship falls apart completely
Wait 'til the school bell has chimed
Wait until it's too late
They will sing a song, pay me all this love
Everyone will pity me and give me sympathy
Cause if a dump truck such luck
Because it's lucky for me that I can still pretend everything is fine
You keep pretending I keep you around
You keep pretending to care and I'll keep you around for now
Remember when I call and I say
I want you to remember when I tell you
The best girls that I love wont be ashamed
The girls I love won't feel embarrassed or ashamed to be with me
Believe me when I call and I say
Trust me when I tell you
The next girl that I love wont be a saint
But the next girl I fall in love with won't be perfect
Now go away
Now leave me alone
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ben Gaffin, Justin David Kennedy, Louie Gary Schultz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind