Gibbard has been actively writing, recording and releasing music since 1994, when he graduated from Olypmic High School. He appeared as a guest on Jimmy Tamborello's (his Postal Service collaborator) Dntel album entitled Life is Full of Possibilities (2001) - Specifically, he contributed vocals to the song "(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan.". In addition, played bass for the band Pedro the Lion on their 2000 tour, and he played drums on the song 'Carparts' for The Long Winters' 2002 album, "The Worst You Can Do Is Harm." He has also released a split EP with Andrew Kenny (of American Analog Set) in the Home Series on the Post-Parlo record label on March 30, 2004. Styrofoam's 2004 album Nothing's Lost features Gibbard's vocals on the track "Couches in Alleys." Additionally, Ben contributed vocals to a song (Handle With Care) on Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis's side project Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins's album, Rabbit Fur Coat.
Gibbard will make his acting debut in the film "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men," an adaptation of David Foster Wallace's collection of short stories. Actor John Krasinski (NBC's "The Office") wrote the screenplay and directed the film.
Indian Summer
Ben Gibbard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boy tasting wild cherry
Touch girl apple blossom
Just a boy playin' possum
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
What is that cheeful sound
Rain fallin' on the ground
We'll wear a jolly crown
Buckle up, we're wayward bound
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
And go our separate ways
I touch your hand you say
Let's stroll down Marveney Lane
Pick plums, abandon farm
You'll let none come to harm
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
Cover me with rain
Walk me down the lane
I'll drink from your drain
And we will never change
No matter what they say
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
And go our separate ways
Motorbike to cemetery
Picnic on wild berries
French toast with molasses
Croque and baked Alaskas
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
We'll come back for Indian Summer
Cover me with rain
Indian Summer is a beautiful love song that captures the essence of young love, nostalgia and the bittersweet feeling of knowing that everything good comes to an end. The lyrics are full of youthful yearning and the promise of endless possibilities. The song begins with the image of two young lovers having breakfast in a cemetery, a symbol of life's transience, where even death can't put a stop to their love. The boy tastes the wild cherry and touches the apple blossom as the girl plays possum, a playful metaphor for their youthful innocence and carefree attitude.
As the song progresses, the lovers promise to come back for "Indian Summer", a season of abundance and plenty, symbolizing the hope that everything good will come to them in the future. The cheerful sound of rain falling on the ground reminds them of the jolly crown they wear, and they buckle up for their wayward journey. They stroll down Marveney Lane, picking plums and abandoning the farm, as they promise to let none come to harm.
The refrain "we'll come back for Indian Summer" echoes the lovers' desire to hold onto their youthful love forever, but they are aware that they must eventually go their separate ways. The final verse sees the lovers on a motorbike, having a picnic on wild berries, and enjoying French toast with molasses and baked Alaskas. The song ends with the lovers covering each other with rain, promising to never change, no matter what anyone else says.
Line by Line Meaning
Breakfast in cemetery
Starting the day with excitement and appreciation for life, represented by a rather unconventional location.
Boy tasting wild cherry
A young boy exploring and experiencing the rawness and unpredictability of nature.
Touch girl apple blossom
The gentle, innocent connection between two people discovering each other, just like the tenderness and beauty of a blooming flower.
Just a boy playin' possum
The playful and curious nature of youth that allows one to enjoy every single moment, even if it means pretending to be something else.
We'll come back for Indian Summer
The promise to revisit this special moment in time, where nature and human experience connect in a unique way.
And go our separate ways
Acknowledging the impermanence of life and experience, the realization that everything changes.
What is that cheeful sound
Finding joy and beauty in everyday moments, represented by the soothing sound of rain falling on the earth.
Rain fallin' on the ground
The simple yet powerful natural phenomenon that keeps our world alive and thriving.
We'll wear a jolly crown
Embracing the lightheartedness and carefree spirit of youth, represented by the imagery of wearing a playful crown.
Buckle up, we're wayward bound
Embracing the adventure of life, the idea that we are never fully in control of our journey.
I touch your hand you say
The moment of intimacy and connection between two people, where everything else fades away.
Let's stroll down Marveney Lane
The hope to explore the world together, discover new places and create unforgettable memories.
Pick plums, abandon farm
The freedom to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, represented by the playful act of picking fruit and leaving behind the constraints of society.
You'll let none come to harm
The promise to protect each other and cherish the special bond between them.
Cover me with rain
The embracing of nature, the desire to be fully immersed in its beauty and chaos.
Walk me down the lane
The hope to explore new paths and discover new experiences together.
I'll drink from your drain
The desire to fully experience and embrace the essence of the person they care about.
And we will never change
The hope that the connection they share will remain constant, even as everything else in life changes.
No matter what they say
The realization that society's expectations and opinions should not dictate their personal relationships.
Motorbike to cemetery
The idea of adventure and spontaneity, represented by the unconventional mode of transportation to a place one might usually avoid.
Picnic on wild berries
Enjoying the simple pleasures of life, represented by the lighthearted act of having a picnic with wild berries.
French toast with molasses
The beauty of simplicity, represented by a traditional breakfast dish made with just a few ingredients that come together in a delicious way.
Croque and baked Alaskas
The indulgence of life, represented by decadent and indulgent dishes that are enjoyed occasionally, rather than all the time.
Contributed by Camden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@M33NAKSHI
please let us have this on Spotify, Universe
@christienscott1171
I know, I've been waiting for yearssss
@richardweisberg9620
Still waiting...
@nekopuella
@@richardweisberg9620 still waiting
@nickiula1632
still waiting
@jamesjackson2434
Still waiting
@sportynspunky78
Seriously my favorite song of all time.
@angiesilvestre7727
10 years later and i’m still depressed
@KotyYell
hope you’re feeling better, my friend.
@ko87jam
thanks for putting this up, I love this song!