Beginning as a solo recording project by Toledo in 2010, Car Seat Headrest self-released 12 albums on the music platform Bandcamp, before signing to Matador Records in 2015. Car Seat Headrest would begin touring as a full band the following year.
History
2010–2014: Lo-fi and solo releases, from 1 to How to Leave Town
Car Seat Headrest began as the solo project of singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Will Toledo (born William Barnes) shortly after he graduated high school. Toledo had previously released music under the alias Nervous Young Men, but after struggling to establish an audience, he decided to change tactics, choosing to try and release more experimental songs anonymously. Toledo chose the name "Car Seat Headrest" as he would often record the vocals to his early albums in the back seat of his car for privacy.
Throughout the summer of 2010, Toledo released his first four albums under the Car Seat Headrest name: 1, 2, 3, and 4. 1 and 2 incorporated less traditional song structures, with stream-of-consciousness lyrics, whereas 3 and 4 would begin to cement his lo-fi indie rock style. Following the numbered albums, Toledo began attending classes at Virginia Commonwealth University, releasing the Sunburned Shirts EP during his first semester. The Sunburned Shirts EP would later be partially combined with his fifth LP, 5, to create his first titled album, My Back Is Killing Me Baby, released in March 2011. Songs culled from 5 would later appear on the b-sides compilation album Little Pieces of Paper with "No" Written on Them.
After a difficult and lonely semester at VCU, Toledo transferred to the College of William & Mary, where he would release his next project, Twin Fantasy, a concept album centered on a relationship he was in at the time. Twin Fantasy would later be followed up by 2012's Monomania and Starving While Living EP.
Around this time, Toledo began performing live shows with fellow students Katie Wood, Austin Ruhf, and Christian Northover, recording and releasing a short live album in July 2013 entitled Live at WCWM: Car Seat Headrest at the university's studio. Toledo would release his next project the following month; a two-hour long double album entitled Nervous Young Man. Three of the songs, and the title of the album, were taken from his original project, Nervous Young Men, but had been heavily reworked and re-recorded. Released alongside Nervous Young Man, for those who paid $5 or more, was the outtakes compilation album Disjecta Membra.
Toledo's final solo release was 2014's How to Leave Town, an hour long EP with heavy electronic instrumentation and more ambitious song structures.
2015–2017: Matador Records, Teens of Style and Teens of Denial
Ethan Ives.
In September 2015, Car Seat Headrest announced on Facebook that he had signed an album deal with Matador Records. Toledo, who had recently graduated and moved to Seattle, recruited bassist Jacob Bloom and drummer Andrew Katz through Craigslist to record and tour his next album. In October 2015, Car Seat Headrest released the compilation album Teens of Style, their first to not be self-released exclusively via Bandcamp. Shortly after the album's release, Bloom left the group to attend medical school, and was replaced by bassist Ethan Ives.
Ives played bass throughout most of the recordings for the band's following release, but would later switch to guitar and other instruments, with Seth Dalby taking over on bass. Ives and Dalby were later cemented in these positions during live shows and future releases. The new album, created with traditional studio processes, Teens of Denial, was released on May 20, 2016. The album received universal acclaim, and brought the band a new wave of popularity.
In 2017, Car Seat Headrest released an alternate mix of their single, "War Is Coming (If You Want It)" through Bandcamp for one day, with profits going to the Transgender Law Center. The original mix of the track was released ten days later.
On December 13, 2017, the band released a re-recorded version of "Beach Life-In-Death", the second track on Twin Fantasy, through Spotify without prior announcement. This sparked fan rumors that the album would be re-recorded and released the following year. On December 27, 2017, an Amazon listing detailing a re-recorded version of Twin Fantasy was found by fans, and subsequently uploaded to the Car Seat Headrest subreddit. This was followed up by a listing on SRCVinyl.com with the date February 16, 2018.
2018–2019: Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) and Commit Yourself Completely
On January 9, 2018, Matador Records formally announced the release of the re-recording, entitled Twin Fantasy (Face to Face), alongside a re-release of the original album. Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) was released via Matador on February 16. The original, which has been re-titled Twin Fantasy (Mirror to Mirror), was released on vinyl as a part of Record Store Day on April 21. On February 15, 2018, the band released a cover of "Fallen Horses" by Smash Mouth, who returned the favor by covering "Something Soon". Around the same time, they began touring with fellow Seattle-based band, Naked Giants, as a part of the group's expanded live lineup.
In August 2018, when asked about new material, Toledo confirmed that he was “demoing out stuff in Ableton,” adding “there might be some stuff that surprises people who only know us as a rock band, but I don’t think it will come as a surprise to people who are checking out all the deep cuts.” In January 2019, Andrew Katz confirmed the band was recording new music through a video uploaded on Instagram.
Following the tease of new music, the band began experimenting with new material at various live shows in December 2018, debuting the tracks "Weightlifters", "Hollywood", "Stop Lying To Me", and "You Know There's Someone Out There", soon followed by "Can't Cool Me Down" in February and March 2019 performances. All were officially released on the next album except for "Stop Lying To Me" and "You Know There's Someone Out There".
On June 12, 2019, Car Seat Headrest announced a new live album titled Commit Yourself Completely, featuring official recordings of performances from the Twin Fantasy tour from 2018. It was released the following week on June 17.
2020–present: Making a Door Less Open
On February 26, 2020, Car Seat Headrest announced their first studio album consisting of wholly new material since 2016's Teens of Denial, Making a Door Less Open. This announcement coincided with the release of "Can't Cool Me Down", the first single and second track off the album, and a release date of May 1, 2020. It marks a stylistic divergence from previous material, Toledo describing the album as containing elements of EDM, hip hop, futurism, doo-wop, soul and rock and roll. Three more singles were released to promote the album between March and April of that year: "Martin", "Hollywood" and "There Must Be More Than Blood". The release also coincided with the introduction of Trait, an alternative persona of Toledo's, featured prominently wearing a modified gas mask with blinking LED lights for eyes. The character had originally been created for the group's "comedic" side project, 1 Trait Danger, featuring Toledo alongside drummer Andrew Katz.
Making a Door Less Open was released with three separate versions across different formats: vinyl, CD and streaming, each with variations in track-list and specific musical elements. The album received a mixed reaction from fans, which pointed out the many divergences from the band's previous works, but received an overall score of 77 on review aggregate site Metacritic. Toledo noted that he and the band were working on a companion album for their latest release, while also looking for ways to improve the Trait mask to incorporate it into live performances.
Style
AllMusic biographer Mark Deming wrote that Car Seat Headrest created "moody and introspective lo-fi pop tunes that are melodic but structurally ambitious at once." Writing for Pitchfork, Jeremy Gordon stated that on Teens of Denial, "Will Toledo reaffirms that he is ahead of the pack as an imaginative singer-songwriter, capable of crafting dynamic indie rock." Ian Cohen of Pitchfork also described Toledo's music as "dense, confounding music that most often captures the giddy thrill of having access to recording equipment, of finally put a sound to the voice in your head."
Car Seat Headrest's influences include Radiohead, Pink Floyd, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Daniel Johnston, Destroyer, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Leonard Cohen, of Montreal, Modest Mouse, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sufjan Stevens, Swans, They Might Be Giants, Why?, R.E.M., the Who, Nirvana, the Blackout, Neil Diamond, William Onyeabor, the Clash, the Cars, James Brown, DEVO, Queen, Rod Stewart, and Green Day.
Cute Thing
Car Seat Headrest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I apologize
Lemme light your cigarette
Come visit Kansas for a week of debauchery
Songs and high fives and weird sex
Cute thing
Don't be rude, thing
It was nothing
Oh god
Give me Frank Ocean's voice
And James Brown's stage presence
I will be your rock god when you're rolling the dice
I got so fucking romantic
I apologize
Lemme smoke your weed, no wait
Healthy minds make sexy bodies
Let us touch so much of ourselves together
Cute thing
Don't be rude, thing
Hot thing
It was nothing
Dog
Give me one little chance
I can make you a man
I will be your rock dog when you're rolling your eyes
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
He died in an explosion
Of mixed media and poorly written reviews
And some stammering drunk who tried to tell him how good his shit was
That's, that's some good shit, man
I accidentally spoke your first name aloud
Trying to make it fit in the lyrics of "Ana Ng," worked like a charm
We're getting old
When will we walk in each other's majestic presence?
Listen, hear my words
They're the ones you would think I would say if I was John Linnell
Or trying to be John Linnell
I am loved
I am loved
I would sleep naked
Next to you naked
I am loved
I am loved
I would sleep naked
Next to you naked
I am loved
I am loved
Like some excommunicated priest
Casting demons
Asked one what its name was
The song "Cute Thing" by Car Seat Headrest is a soulful rock number that is rife with various layers of interpretation. In the first verse, the singer talks about getting vulnerable and apologizing for being overly romantic. It is implied that he is talking to a lover or someone he is interested in. He then proceeds to ask them to come to Kansas for "a week of debauchery" that involves songs, high fives, and "weird sex." The term "weird sex" is symbolic of unconventional or nontraditional romantic relationships that the singer seems to be drawn towards. The chorus talks about the object of his affection and how they should not be rude and how "it was nothing," meaning that whatever happened between them was insignificant.
The second verse of the song talks about the singer's desire to become a rock god for their lover. This desire is expressed through his wishes to have the voice of Frank Ocean and James Brown's stage presence. He wants to share their joys and sorrows and be a source of support for them through thick and thin. The third verse is more introspective and talks about the singer's desire to touch someone so much that there is no distinction between where they begin or end. This is symbolic of the intense connection that exists between the two people. The song ends with a haunting verse that speaks of an explosion and mixed media. The singer talks about accidentally speaking his lover's name aloud and wondering when they will walk in each other's majestic presence.
Line by Line Meaning
I got so fucking romantic
I became deeply fond of you
I apologize
I am sorry for my intense affection
Lemme light your cigarette
May I provide small pleasures for you?
Come visit Kansas for a week of debauchery
Shall we escape and explore each other for a brief period?
Songs and high fives and weird sex
We can make music, celebrate, and have unorthodox intimacy
Cute thing
You are endearing
Don't be rude, thing
Please don't be inhospitable
Hot thing
You are attractive
It was nothing
I shouldn't have crossed any boundaries
Oh god
I’m overwhelmed
Give me Frank Ocean's voice
Please bless me with a soulful crooning
And James Brown's stage presence
And give me the showmanship of the Godfather of Soul
I will be your rock god when you're rolling the dice
I will be your savior in a time of need
Lemme smoke your weed, no wait
May I share and enjoy your stash?
Healthy minds make sexy bodies
Sound mental health promotes physical attraction
Let us touch so much of ourselves together
We should explore and experiment sexually
Dog
Hey, friend
Give me one little chance
Believe in my potential
I can make you a man
I can help you reach your full strength and abilities
I will be your rock dog when you're rolling your eyes
I will always have your back, even when you're frustrated
Do do do do do do do do
Nonsensical vocalization
He died in an explosion
He received harsh criticism and rejection
Of mixed media and poorly written reviews
His work was misunderstood and judged unfairly
And some stammering drunk who tried to tell him how good his shit was
And a drunk guy who couldn't express his appreciation properly
That's, that's some good shit, man
That was excellent work, bravo!
I accidentally spoke your first name aloud
I unintentionally expressed my feelings for you publicly
Trying to make it fit in the lyrics of "Ana Ng," worked like a charm
I was trying to be creative and did it flawlessly
We're getting old
We are aging
When will we walk in each other's majestic presence?
When can we meet again as equals in brilliance and greatness?
Listen, hear my words
Pay attention to what I'm saying
They're the ones you would think I would say if I was John Linnell
My words sound like they came from a particular musician
Or trying to be John Linnell
Or someone imitating John Linnell
I am loved
I am cherished
I would sleep naked
I'm comfortable with being vulnerable around you
Next to you naked
I want to be as intimate as possible with you
Like some excommunicated priest
I feel like a social outcast
Casting demons
Trying to overcome my fears and troubles
Asked one what its name was
Trying to figure out what is troubling me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: William Barnes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnchondr1797
I got so fucking romantic
I apologize
Lemme light your cigarette
Come visit Kansas for a week of debauchery
Songs and high fives and weird sex
Cute thing
Don't be rude, thing
Hot thing
It was nothing
Oh god
Give me Frank Ocean's voice
And James Brown's stage presence
I will be your rock god when you're rolling the dice
I got so fucking romantic
I apologize
Lemme smoke your weed, no wait
Healthy minds make sexy bodies
Let us touch so much of ourselves together
Cute thing
Don't be rude, thing
Hot thing
It was nothing
Dog
Give me one little chance
I can make you a man
I will be your rock dog when you're rolling your eyes
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
He died in an explosion
Of mixed media and poorly written reviews
And some stammering drunk who tried to tell him how good his shit was
That's, that's some good shit, man
I accidentally spoke your first name aloud
Trying to make it fit in the lyrics of "Ana Ng, " worked like a charm
We're getting old
When will we walk in each other's majestic presence?
Listen, hear my words
They're the ones you would think I would say if I was John Linnell
Or trying to be John Linnell
I am loved
I am loved
I would sleep naked
Next to you naked
I am loved
I am loved
I would sleep naked
Next to you naked
I am loved
I am loved
Like some excommunicated priest
Casting demons
Asked one what its name was
@lovemetoolong5268
God, give me Will Toledo’s song-writing skills
@nicksharich4957
It's yours but you need meth." -RockGod
@karlmarx5313
Will Toledo + Jeff Mangum = God-tier songwriting
@indiesage8332
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@sillypengie2052
@@karlmarx5313 +Issac Brock
@saruyomi
God, give me Will Toledo’s song-writing skills
@mikito1959
tha- that's, uh, that's, that's some good- good shit man.
@thewhatness
I read that in my head with Jeff Goldblum's voice.
@MMfish_
Papes R.I.P. Papes. So young 😭
@Claire.blain.
@@MMfish_ what