They added the 1979 suffix to the name following a legal dispute with New York City dance-punk label Death From Above (known as DFA Records since the September 11, 2001 attacks). "Death from above" was written on a helicopter in the movie Apocalypse Now, which was copyrighted in 1979. However, Grainger says this is simply a coincidence; 1979 was chosen as it was, amongst other reasons, "the year I was born."
Death from Above 1979 had planned on recording the follow up to its debut full-length You're A Woman, I'm A Machine. There were plans to release it in three versions: the traditional bass/drums lineup, a full-band lineup with musicians assembled by Grainger, and a remix album. The albums featuring a full band and remixes were supposedly to be released on the band's official website.
In 2005 the video for "Romantic Rights" won a VideoFACT award at the MuchMusic Video Music Awards.
On August 4, 2006, the band announced they had decided to split "almost a year ago" due to the strained relationship between the two - claiming they only talked during interviews and just before shows - not to mention the fact that they had achieved all their aims after the record went gold in their native Canada.
Keeler was slated to play bass on the Queens Of The Stone Age album Era Vulgaris, but later revealed on the Death From Above 1979 message board that he could not due to scheduling conflicts. Keeler is now one half of MSTRKRFT, his new project with producer Al-P.
Sebastien Grainger is now in his own side project band Sebastien Grainger & the Mountains
In 2011 it was announced that the band were reuniting to perform at Coachella, then the band announced that they were planning to reunite on an ongoing basis.
Keep It Real Dumb
Death from Above 1979 Lyrics
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Stare at your shirt, all the mesh in the retail
All packed up, are you ready to go?
Go set my folders up but you've got nothing to show
You keep it real, but you keep it real dumb
There′s nothing for me
You keep it real so now you've become
So ordinary
I can't buy you with your money
Put you on a bus, send you off to school
You can hold my hand or buy it all
I′ll send you the bill and write it off
You can shop ′till you drop, credit cards, record cop
Stream your phone, smarter choice, don't look up, no one′s home
Now you feel like all the rest
You pick the truth that you like best
You keep it real, but you keep it real dumb
There's nothing for me
You keep it real so now you′ve become
So ordinary
You keep it real, but you keep it real dumb
Now you're with me
You keep it real so now you′ve become
So ordinary
Golden chains
Keep us snagged
You keep it real, but you keep it real dumb
There's nothing for me
You keep it real so now you've become
So ordinary
You keep it real, but you keep it real dumb
Now you′re with me
You keep it real so now you′ve become
So ordinary
Yeah
The lyrics in Death from Above 1979's song Keep It Real Dumb address the issue of conformism and the desire to stand out from the crowd. The first verse contrasts the mundane details of everyday life with the desire to make a statement and be unique. The reference to a shirt with retail mesh highlights the irony of trying too hard to be different through fashion while conforming to a trendy style. The second verse continues the critique of conformism and complacency, with references to consumerism and the power of money. The repetition of "You keep it real, but you keep it real dumb" emphasizes the hollow nature of trying to be cool or different just for the sake of it.
The chorus highlights the irony and futility of trying to be unique through conformity. The repetition of "so ordinary" emphasizes how easily the desire to be different can turn into sameness. The third verse references the power of material possessions and the chains that they can become. The repetition of "You keep it real, but you keep it real dumb" continues the critique of conformity and the desire to stand out through superficial means.
Overall, the lyrics in Keep It Real Dumb call attention to the pressures of conformity and the desire to stand out, but also questions the effectiveness of trying to do so through superficial means.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you in or you out? There's nothing but details
You can either choose to participate or not, but either way, it's all in the details.
Stare at your shirt, all the mesh in the retail
You're so caught up in the materialism of fashion that you're not seeing the bigger picture.
All packed up, are you ready to go?
You think you're ready for something new, but you're not as prepared as you think.
Go set my folders up but you've got nothing to show
You may look organized, but when it comes down to it, you don't have anything substantial to offer.
You keep it real, but you keep it real dumb
You may think you're being authentic, but really, you're just being foolish.
There's nothing for me
I'm not interested in what you have to offer.
You keep it real so now you've become
Your desire for authenticity has turned you into something unremarkable.
So ordinary
You're just like everyone else.
I can't buy you with your money
Your wealth doesn't impress me or make you more valuable.
Put you on a bus, send you off to school
I could send you away to learn, but it wouldn't change who you are fundamentally.
You can hold my hand or buy it all
You can either try to earn my approval or attempt to buy your way into my good graces.
I'll send you the bill and write it off
I'll make you pay for it, but I won't really care about the money.
You can shop 'till you drop, credit cards, record cop
You can spend all you want, but it won't change who you are or what you have to offer.
Stream your phone, smarter choice, don't look up, no one's home
You might think you're being clever by relying on technology, but you're missing out on real connections with others.
Now you feel like all the rest
You're becoming just another face in the crowd.
You pick the truth that you like best
You're choosing to believe what's comfortable for you, not necessarily what's true.
Golden chains / Keep us snagged
We're trapped by our own desires and materialism.
Now you're with me
You might have thought you were standing out, but now you're just like everyone else.
Yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation.
Contributed by Mason H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.