The band takes its name from Bishop Allen Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the two lived together after college and has released three albums, "Charm School" (2003), "The Broken String" (2007) and "Grrr..." (2009).
Charm School (2003)
Charm School was Bishop Allen's first record. Recorded in fits and starts over two years, it grew song-by-song as Rice and Rudder wrote and played in their spare time. They recorded all the instruments on the album's 13 songs themselves, using drum loops to hide the fact that neither is a drummer, and almost everything on the record was recorded one track at a time in an ordinary bedroom. Backing vocals by Bonnie Schiff-Glenn and Kate Dollenmayer and supplementary drums by Coll Anderson, all added in the album's final stages, completed the songs.
The EP Project (2006)
In 2006, Bishop Allen recorded and released an EP every month of the year. Each record was titled for the month of its release (January, February, and so on), and, with the exception of August, which was a 14-song live disc, each contained four new studio songs.
The Broken String (2007)
In November 2006, Bishop Allen signed to Dead Oceans, a new sister label to Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar, for a modest advance. They began recording a new record that January, at Blackwatch Studios in Norman, Oklahoma, and delivered it two months later. This is Bishop Allen's first true studio recording and was released by Dead Oceans on July 24, 2007.
Grrr.... (2009)
Released in March 2009, this doesn't stray from Bishop Allen's specific brand of lovely indie pop.
Central Booking
Bishop Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hope no one I know is looking in on where I am, on where I've been
To add to my list of disgraces, they took my belt and my shoelaces
Yet, I'm not a threat, no, not like that
And when I stand for my defense
Should I protest my innocence
Or should I say, "I know I was wrong"
The photograph and the fingerprints
I don't need to stay here
I don't belong, I don't belong, I don't belong
When I saw them coming for me, I knew that I was disorderly
How could that be? I felt so free
Ran a block then, took a tumble
Handcuffs lock and I just mumble
"No, don't make me go, don't make me go"
And when I stand for my defense
Should I protest my innocence
Or should I say, "I know I was wrong"?
Because despite all the evidence
The photograph and the fingerprints
I don't need to stay here
I don't belong, I don't belong, I don't belong
Share a cell with little hellions caught up in some teen rebellion
But I don't know what still makes them strut
Use the phone but no one answers
That guy swears he's just a dancer
And we all misunderstand
Sunday night in central booking
Hope no one I know is looking in on where I am or where I've been
Where have I been?
The song "Central Booking" by Bishop Allen tells the story of a person who has been arrested and is spending the night in jail. The singer expresses the fear of being seen by someone they know and the shame that comes with being in this situation. They reflect on their actions and wonder whether to protest their innocence or admit their guilt, despite the evidence against them. The singer feels out of place sharing a cell with other individuals caught up in their own struggles, and they feel a sense of isolation despite being surrounded by others.
The lyrics are emotive and capture the inner turmoil of someone who has made a mistake and is facing the consequences. The imagery of being stripped of their belt and shoelaces adds to the sense of vulnerability and loss of control. The singer's uncertainty about how to plead is relatable, as admitting fault can be difficult when faced with the fear of judgment. The theme of belonging versus isolation is a constant thread throughout the song, highlighting the effects of being locked up and the repercussions of one's actions.
Overall, "Central Booking" is a poignant song that speaks to the human experiences of shame and regret. The lyrics are powerful and convey a sense of vulnerability and confusion, making it a relatable and moving piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunday night in central booking
The singer is describing their current location to be in central booking on a Sunday night.
Hope no one I know is looking in on where I am, on where I've been
The singer expresses their fear of someone they know seeing them at central booking and finding out what they did to end up there.
To add to my list of disgraces, they took my belt and my shoelaces
The singer's belongings are taken from them, adding to their feeling of disgrace and humiliation.
Yet, I'm not a threat, no, not like that
The artist asserts that they are not a dangerous person and do not pose a threat to others.
And when I stand for my defense
The artist begins to contemplate their defense strategy.
Should I protest my innocence
The singer considers whether they should argue that they are innocent of the charges against them.
Or should I say, 'I know I was wrong'
The singer also considers the option of admitting their wrongdoing and taking responsibility for their actions.
Because despite all the evidence
The artist acknowledges that there is incriminating evidence against them.
The photograph and the fingerprints
The evidence listed includes photographs and fingerprints that link the artist to the crime.
I don't need to stay here
Despite the situation, the artist believes that they should not be kept in central booking.
I don't belong, I don't belong, I don't belong
The singer reiterates that they do not feel like they belong in this situation.
When I saw them coming for me, I knew that I was disorderly
The artist realizes that their behavior may have been disorderly and that is how they ended up in trouble.
How could that be? I felt so free
The singer questions their behavior because they felt free at the time despite the current situation.
Ran a block then, took a tumble
The singer describes their attempt to run away from the situation, but it ended in them getting caught.
Handcuffs lock and I just mumble
The singer is handcuffed and unable to escape, and they feel helpless.
'No, don't make me go, don't make me go'
The artist pleads not to be taken to central booking, implying that they regret their actions.
Share a cell with little hellions caught up in some teen rebellion
The artist is forced to share a cell with other inmates who are likely rebellious teenagers.
But I don't know what still makes them strut
The singer does not understand why the other inmates are still acting tough in this situation.
Use the phone but no one answers
The singer tries to make a phone call but cannot reach anyone on the other end.
That guy swears he's just a dancer
One of the inmates claims to be innocent and that he is just a dancer.
And we all misunderstand
The artist and the other inmates seem to be in a situation where they have been misunderstood and judged wrongly.
Where have I been?
The artist ends the song with a rhetorical question, still reflecting on how they ended up in central booking.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christian Rudder, Justin Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind