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.
Just What I Needed / Not Just What I Needed
Car Seat Headrest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need answers, those would fill me up
I KNOW WHEN I'M BEING CATERED TO!
I KNOW WHEN I'M BEING CATERED TO!
I will not settle for the lowest common denominator!
Hello my friend, we've been waiting for you for a long time
We have reason to believe that your soul is just like ours
Well, here's our web page, you've finally found a home
Good people give good advice
Get a job, eat an apple, it'll work itself out
It's a phase
It's chemistry
It's your own fault
Well don't listen to us
We're just people too
I've been waiting all my life
I've been waiting for some real good porn
Something with meaning, something fulfilling
I'd like to make my shame count for something
I feel so empty trying to explain this
His name is William Onyeabor, he's from the 70s
And when I wake up in the morning, there are people sleeping on my couch
Well, I'll have something to say about that one
Free people give free advice
Let go of the pain, let go of the fear
But if I let go of that
What will still be here
Will I find out
That I am people too?
The song "Just What I Needed/Not Just What I Needed" by Car Seat Headrest is an introspective piece that seems to be questioning the nature of advice in modern society. The song opens with the singer expressing their need for answers to questions that they have. They are looking for more fulfilling and meaningful answers, and refuse to accept 'the lowest common denominator'. They are aware when someone is simply catering to them, and will not be satisfied with anything less than authentic advice.
The second half of the song seems to be addressing the listener directly, telling them they have been waiting for them and that they belong with them. However, it is hard to ascertain who 'they' are or where the singer is. The tone of the piece is somewhat melancholy as it questions the nature of advice, and what advice really provides to its recipients. The song ends with the powerful line: "Will I find out that I am people too?", which is again an introspective statement that seems to be questioning whether or not taking advice is really helpful if, ultimately, we are all just flawed human beings.
Overall "Just What I Needed/Not Just What I Needed" by Car Seat Headrest is a powerful piece on the nature of advice, and how we can never really know if what we take in is helpful or not. The human condition, with all of its flaws and imperfections, is what makes us all truly relatable to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
I have nothing but questions
I am in search of answers that can help me understand better.
I need answers, those would fill me up
My quest for knowledge is so intense that it feels like it can satiate my hunger.
I KNOW WHEN I'M BEING CATERED TO!
I can sense when someone is trying to manipulate me by appealing to my preferences or tastes.
I will not settle for the lowest common denominator!
I refuse to accept something that's mediocre, ordinary or unchallenging.
Hello my friend, we've been waiting for you for a long time
We are eager to welcome someone who belongs to our niche or community.
We have reason to believe that your soul is just like ours
We think that you share our values, interests and aspirations at a fundamental level.
Did you ever get the feeling you were just a little different?
Have you ever sensed that you don't fit in with the mainstream or the norm, but that's okay?
Well, here's our web page, you've finally found a home
We offer you the opportunity to belong to our group or subculture, which may provide you a sense of belonging or identity.
Good people give good advice
It's common for well-intentioned individuals to offer tips on how to improve one's life.
Get a job, eat an apple, it'll work itself out
Some pieces of advice are simplistic or cliched, and don't really address deeper issues or problems.
It's a phase
Sometimes people dismiss others' struggles as a temporary or fleeting phenomenon, without acknowledging their complexity or impact.
It's chemistry
Some people may attribute one's mental or emotional state to biological or neurological factors, without regarding social or personal factors that shape it.
It's your own fault
Some people tend to blame individuals for their negative experiences, regardless of systemic or external factors that may contribute to them.
Well don't listen to us
Ultimately, advice-giving is just an expression of one's opinions, perspectives or biases, and may not always be applicable or useful to others.
I've been waiting all my life
I have a deep yearning or craving that has not been fulfilled, and that may be related to my sexuality or desires.
I've been waiting for some real good porn
I want to find pornography that is satisfying, meaningful, and respectful, rather than exploitative or degrading.
Something with meaning, something fulfilling
I seek sexual or erotic content that provides me with emotional or psychological gratification, and not just physical arousal.
I'd like to make my shame count for something
I hope to transform my feelings of guilt or stigma around sexuality into a positive force that empowers me and others.
I feel so empty trying to explain this
It can be difficult to articulate or express one's deeper or taboo desires, especially to others who may not understand or accept them.
His name is William Onyeabor, he's from the 70s
I want to introduce you to an artist whose music is innovative, influential, and ahead of its time, even though he may not be well-known or appreciated.
And when I wake up in the morning, there are people sleeping on my couch
My life is unconventional or bohemian, with visitors or friends staying overnight without much planning or concern for propriety.
Well, I'll have something to say about that one
Even though I may tolerate or enjoy certain aspects of my unconventional lifestyle, I don't want others to assume that I'm not aware of possible drawbacks or criticisms.
Free people give free advice
People who feel liberated or empowered may offer advice that reflects their values or vision, rather than societal or cultural expectations.
Let go of the pain, let go of the fear
Some advice may encourage individuals to release negative emotions or beliefs that may restrict their personal growth or happiness.
But if I let go of that
Some advice may make it seem like relinquishing one's negative emotions or beliefs is easy or straightforward, ignoring the complexity of human psychology and experience.
What will still be here
One may wonder what remains or persists after letting go of one's fears or pain, and how one's identity or purpose may change.
Will I find out
In the process of transformation or self-discovery, one may encounter new challenges, opportunities or insights.
That I am people too?
One may realize that despite one's unique or exceptional traits or experiences, one still shares common humanity or empathy with others.
Contributed by Violet S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aaronpelavin2445
It was an expensive mistake
@vinnythebird1611
This sea is too familiar
@everygrillindude5317
but how was I supposed to know?
@frempy4426
@@everygrillindude5317 How was I supposed to know not to sample The Cars without proper clearance?!
@thc_freebaser
worth it.
@streamer_services
Still a good ass song
@its_stultus
Just got a vinyl for cheap that had this song on it
Poor dude didn't know what he had
@ScradeCottontail
haha same
@kcuf1085
same here lol, random buy off amazon
@shawndavis9070
From where?