In the spring of 1999, between tours, Ben Gibbard had some songs buzzing around his head that wouldn't really work as Death Cab For Cutie songs. Thus, armed with a guitar, some broken keyboards and four-track, he set about documenting them.
This process resulted in two releases: the CD EP All-Time Quarterback! (which included a cover of The Magnetic Fields' Why I Cry), and the "straight to Walkmen" cassette release The Envelope Sessions (which included Underwater, which was later rerecorded by Death Cab For Cutie for a 7" single on Sub Pop). Both were released on Bellingham, WA label Elsinor, and a small mini-tour occurred to support the releases. Ben went back to Death Cab For Cutie to record their second album.
In 2002, with both original releases out-of-print, Barsuk Records put out the ¡All-Time Quarterback! CD album. Consisting of the best of both releases, along with an outtake from the original EP sessions and a video for Plans Get Complex, (which was shot in a variety of locations across London, including Regent Street and a London Underground train), this release is currently still available. This has been the most recent action under the ¡All-Time Quarterback! name.
Discography
- "¡All-Time Quarterback!" (CD EP, 1999)
- "The Envelope Sessions" (Cassette EP, 1999)
- "¡All-Time Quarterback!" (CD album, 2002)
Untitled
All-Time Quarterback Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And sat alone to contemplate the place of cigarettes and rock and roll fashion
And its times like these at 32 degrees cabin fever silly day dreams
That slap me in the face and lock me in this place living out my adversity
And here in this world, I could find you in the corners of my head
And if I try, I could change the outcome, changing what I said
I skimmed right through never knowing
Who was good or bad or sad or glad although
I had the time to waste in all the familiar places
And here in this world, I could find you in the corners of my head
And if I try, I could change the outcome, changing what I said
But in this perfect world where nothings perfect, I'm all alone.
But in this perfect world where nothings perfect, I'm all alone.
The first verse of All-Time Quarterback's song Untitled expresses a sense of disillusionment with stories that are supposed to be interesting. The singer skips over the character development and dialogue to contemplate the significance of two things that are often associated with youth and rebellion: cigarettes and rock and roll fashion. The second verse describes the feeling of being trapped in a mundane existence, where cabin fever and daydreams provide the few fleeting moments of excitement. The lyrics suggest that the singer is experiencing some sort of adversity or hardship, but it's not clear what that might be.
The chorus serves as a refrain that emphasizes the singer's loneliness and their impulse to retreat into their own thoughts. The lines "here in this world, I could find you in the corners of my head, and if I try, I could change the outcome, changing what I said" suggest a desire to rewrite history and make different choices. The lyrics seem to be pointing towards a fear of missed opportunities, and the idea that things could have turned out differently if the singer had acted differently in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I skipped the part of the storyline with interesting characters and dialog
I neglected the intriguing parts of life in favor of contemplation.
And sat alone to contemplate the place of cigarettes and rock and roll fashion
I chose solitude to ponder the relevance of smoking and popular style.
And its times like these at 32 degrees cabin fever silly day dreams
Sometimes I feel stuck and bored, wallowing in irrelevant fantasies.
That slap me in the face and lock me in this place living out my adversity
These moments hit me hard and trap me in the struggle of existence.
And here in this world, I could find you in the corners of my head
Even in reality, I can envision and connect with you mentally.
And if I try, I could change the outcome, changing what I said
By taking action, I could alter the result and revise my past words and deeds.
I skimmed right through never knowing
I breezed past without comprehending.
Who was good or bad or sad or glad although
The various individuals remained indistinguishable in terms of character or emotion.
I had the time to waste in all the familiar places
I indulged in killing time by visiting mundane locations.
But in this perfect world where nothings perfect, I'm all alone.
Despite the idealistic setting, I remain isolated and unfulfilled.
But in this perfect world where nothings perfect, I'm all alone.
Despite the idealistic setting, I remain isolated and unfulfilled.
Contributed by Grayson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.