Former Treepeople frontman Doug Martsch formed Built to Spill in 1992 with Brett Netson and Ralf Youtz as the band's original members. In an interview with Spin magazine, Martsch stated that he intended to change the band's lineup for every album, with Martsch being the only permanent member. After the band's first album, Ultimate Alternative Wavers (1993), the lineup changing idea held true, as both Netson and Youtz were replaced by Brett Nelson (not Netson) and Andy Capps for 1994's There's Nothing Wrong With Love. A compilation album called The Normal Years, consisting of recordings by both the first and second trios, was released in 1996. Between recording albums in 1995, the band gained notoriety by playing on the Lollapalooza tour.
Martsch signed Built To Spill to the Warner Brothers label in 1995. Unlike many artists signed to major labels, however, the deal the band brokered with Warner allowed it to retain a large degree of creative control over future albums. Built to Spill produced its first major label release in 1997 with Perfect From Now On. By this time, the band consisted of Martsch, Nelson, Netson, and Scott Plouf. Perfect From Now On met with critical success and caused Built To Spill to become one of the United States' most recognizable indie rock bands. Before releasing another album, Martsch made Nelson and Plouf permanent members of the band. In 1999, the band released Keep It Like a Secret to continued critical success, and for the first time, significant commercial success. In response to fan requests, the Live album was released in 2000. The band's fifth studio album, Ancient Melodies of the Future, was released in 2001. Martsch also released Now You Know, a solo album with both blues and folk elements, in 2002. After 2002, Warner Bros. records signed the band to another album.
Built To Spill did not tour as a band in 2002 although Doug Martsch performed numerous solo concerts in support of his solo album. From 2003 to 2005, Built To Spill toured extensively with over 150 live performances, playing new songs live as early as 2004. In 2004, the band confirmed rumors that they had recorded another studio album in Portland, OR, titled You In Reverse. The album was not released in 2005 due to difficulties associated with the use of a new recording facility, inefficiencies associated with self-producing the album and time constraints. You In Reverse, the first studio album in five years, was released on April 11, 2006. The band's official lineup for the album featured Martsch, Nelson, Plouf, and Jim Roth, who was formerly a touring guitarist only. Former band member Brett Netson provided guitar work on several songs, Quasi's Sam Coomes provided keyboard work and Steve Lobdell, the owner of the Portland studio, plays on almost every song for the album including guitar, piano, vibes and percussion. Netson rejoined Built To Spill as an official member in 2006 after touring with the band in 2005.
The band announced an April/May 2006 tour in February 2006 in support of the new album. In late March 2006, however, frontman Doug Martsch suffered a detached retina that required surgery, causing the band to cancel its appearance at the South by Southwest music festival and postpone several of their tour dates. The band rescheduled the April and May tour dates in the fall, but most June dates on the West were not postponed. At their June 3, 2006 show, their first of the 2006 tour, Built to Spill played four unreleased songs that were not included on You In Reverse. This show also included the dedication of the song "Car" to former band member Andy Capps who had passed away a few weeks earlier that would continue throughout the tour.
In July 2007, Built To Spill released a new 12" vinyl single with two reggae-esque tracks, "They Got Away" and "Re-Arrange". According to Doug Martsch, BTS is not becoming a reggae band, they just "love to play it".
In 2009 Nelson replayed and recorded one song off of each full length Built To Spill album in ""New Wave circa 1982" style with analogue synthesizers and a drum machine having Martsch resing all of the songs and released it July 2010 through CDBABY,Itunes and Junketboy as The Electronic Anthology Project.Nelson's son (Nicholas) did the art/layout with the titles reworked as anagrams by his wife (Stephanie) he plans on future projects under the same moniker redoing other bands music.
Doug Martsch and original BTS drummer Ralf Youtz are also founding members of the much-loved, but short-lived, band the Halo Benders, with Calvin Johnson.
Youtz and Martsch are also brothers-in-law. (Martsch is married to Youtz's sister).
Ralf Youtz was leader of the Portland, Oregon band Ape Shape. He went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Mathematics.
Bret Netson is leader of the influential art/metal Boise band Caustic Resin, which put out a split 10" with BTS in 1995. That album has two different cover photos because a found photo was used without permission for the original version, but the photographer later found out and objected.
Distopian Dream Girl
Built to Spill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make it more than real
More than just feel
We are on a ride
We're on it all the time
To the front of your mind
My stepfather looks just like David Bowie
He hates David Bowie
I think Lodger rules
I think my stepdad's a fool
Without me there's nothing
I'm the only thing that dies
If it came down to your life or mine
I would do the stupid thing
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
"I'm alright," said the man to his wife
Waking up to a head full of bed
Full of what she said
She hadn't thought of it for a while
And when she did
She thought of it differently
Than she thought she should be thinking
Just the thought of it's enough
To penetrate my comfort zone
Without me there's nothing
I'm the only thing that dies
If it came down to your life or mine
I would do the stupid thing
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
The lyrics to Built to Spill's song "Distopian Dream Girl" appear to be a meditation on the fragility of life and the importance of connection. The repeated refrain of "I would do the stupid thing and let you keep on living" suggests that the singer deeply values the life of another person, possibly a romantic partner, and is willing to put their own life at risk to ensure their continued survival. This theme is reinforced by the line "Without me there's nothing, I'm the only thing that dies," which may reflect a sense of personal insignificance in the face of the potential loss of a loved one.
The song also features a number of references to pop culture icons, such as David Bowie and his album "Lodger." The singer's stepfather is described as looking like Bowie but hating him, while the singer professes admiration for both Bowie and "Lodger." These references may indicate a sense of nostalgia or longing for a simpler time, or reflect a desire for connection through shared cultural touchstones.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you make it real
Asking if the other person can make their relationship more tangible and authentic.
Make it more than real
Requesting to make their relationship exceed reality and the physical realm.
More than just feel
Desiring their relationship to have substance and depth beyond mere emotions.
We are on a ride
Acknowledging that they are on a journey together.
We're on it all the time
Confirming that the relationship is constant and always present.
To the front of your mind
Stating that the relationship is at the forefront of their thoughts.
My stepfather looks just like David Bowie
Describing the physical resemblance of his stepfather to David Bowie.
He hates David Bowie
Revealing his stepfather's dislike for David Bowie.
I think Bowie's cool
Expressing his admiration for David Bowie.
I think Lodger rules
Stating that he thinks the album 'Lodger' by David Bowie is excellent.
I think my stepdad's a fool
Conveying his opinion that his stepfather's dislike for David Bowie is foolish.
Without me there's nothing
Asserting that he is a crucial element in their relationship.
I'm the only thing that dies
Implying that if he were to leave, the relationship would perish.
If it came down to your life or mine
Hypothetically speaking to illustrate how important the other person is to him.
I would do the stupid thing
Expressing that he would do something irrational or dangerous to ensure the other person's survival.
And let you keep on living
Stating that he would prioritize the other person's life over his own.
"I'm alright," said the man to his wife
Quoting a typical response that someone in a relationship might say to their partner.
Waking up to a head full of bed
Describing a state of confusion or disorientation upon waking up.
Full of what she said
Alluding to a conversation the previous night that is still on their mind.
She hadn't thought of it for a while
Implying that the conversation had not been revisited recently.
And when she did
When the thought finally resurfaced.
She thought of it differently
Realizing that her perspective had changed since their last conversation.
Than she thought she should be thinking
Recognizing that her shifted perspective might be inappropriate or unexpected.
Just the thought of it's enough
Implying that the topic is sensitive or emotional.
To penetrate my comfort zone
Suggesting that the topic makes him feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ubersouls
Can you make it real?
Make it more than real, more than just feel
We are on a ride
We're on it all the time to the front of your mind
My stepfather looks
Just like David Bowie but he hates David Bowie
I think Bowie's cool
I think Lodger rules, my stepdad's a fool
Without me there's nothing
I'm the only thing that dies
If it came down to your life or mine
I would do the stupid thing
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
"I'm alright, " said the man to his wife
Waking up to a head full of bed, full of what she said
She hadn't thought of it for a while
And when she did, she thought of it differently than she thought she should be thinking
Just the thought of it's enough
To penetrate my comfort zone
Without me there's nothing
I'm the only thing that dies
If it came down to your life or mine
I would do the stupid thing
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
And let you keep on living
@maxwellperry
The year was 1993, I was crossing the Ballard Bridge on a drive to a football game in West Seattle.
@EveryTimeV2
This is a very fun song.
@jbell1234567
And let you keep on livinggggggg
@adammartin3057
I don't always follow the youtube suggested song algorithm, but when I do, I prefer Built to Spill.
@BlackHoon
Actually love this song so much.
@Shawnsrumi
Me to.
@Peeeeeeee__
The beer brings me here
@doubleeeeeee
yes sir I have had a few and am remembering college
@babymogli
Without me, there’s nothing
@robloxpapichulo
I think lodger rules, my stepdad's a fool!