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.
Overexposed
Car Seat Headrest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You won't have half an answer if anyone cares to ask
You promised to speak to no one, you were lucky that I heard
Because without a witness no oath can be assured
Somewhere down the line you′ll look back and
Say you did the best that you could and you'll be wrong
You're always wrong
I hope you enjoy it underneath the light
I hope you can get some sleep tonight
Because where you live the sun doesn′t set
This is your bed. Hope you enjoy
You held me in the sunlight, your interlocking hands
Left a photograph on my shoulders, spots where I didn′t tan
But my skin was an imperfect film and the negatives were burned
Without the evidence there was no need for you to ever return
And someone down the line will look back
And wonder what you felt for me and he'll be wrong
You′re always wrong
I hope you enjoy it underneath the light
I hope you can get some sleep tonight
Because where you live the sun doesn't set
This is your bed. Hope you enjoy
(Don′t worry, you and me won't)
I can′t turn this thing off
It keeps following me
Used to be so human now it's just a machine
I can't turn this thing off
It keeps following me
When′d you say you were leaving?
When′d you really leave?
I hope you enjoy it underneath the light
I hope you can get some sleep tonight
Because where you live the sun doesn't set
If this is your bed, how do you do it?
I was within my rights, I was behind the line
You were dancing in your sleep
I promised to hide it underneath the covers
This is my bed, how do you do?
Hope I enjoy my no one
The song "Overexposed" by Car Seat Headrest is a melancholic reflection on lost love and shattered dreams. The opening lines, "You used to have a future, now you don't even have a past" suggests that the singer's life has somehow been derailed or stalled, and he has lost his sense of direction. The next line, "You won't have half an answer if anyone cares to ask," implies that he has not only lost his way, but also his ability to communicate effectively. Perhaps he is too ashamed or disillusioned to share his story with anyone. The line "Because without a witness no oath can be assured" seems to suggest that the singer feels like he needs someone to hold him accountable, but at the same time, he has no faith in the idea of oaths or promises.
The song goes on to describe a lost relationship, where the singer reminisces about the past, "You held me in the sunlight, your interlocking hands left a photograph on my shoulders, spots where I didn't tan." However, he feels like he has been left with nothing but memories, "Without the evidence there was no need for you to ever return." The repeated lines "Somewhere down the line you'll look back and say you did the best that you could and you'll be wrong, you're always wrong" suggests that the singer sees his ex as someone who is incapable of self-reflection and growth.
The chorus, "I hope you enjoy it underneath the light, I hope you can get some sleep tonight, because where you live the sun doesn't set. This is your bed. Hope you enjoy" can be interpreted as a sarcastic comment on the idea of a perfect life. The sun never setting suggests an eternal day, which could be seen as a symbol of a perfect existence. However, it also suggests that life is devoid of cycles and changes, which can be quite monotonous and oppressive. The last lines of the song, "This is my bed, how do you do? Hope I enjoy my no one" could be interpreted as a sort of resignation. The singer seems to have accepted his fate and is ready to make do with what he has, which is not much.
Line by Line Meaning
You used to have a future, now you don′t even have a past
Your current state is such that you don't look forward optimistically nor backward regretfully.
You won't have half an answer if anyone cares to ask
You don't have a coherent explanation for your actions or thoughts if questioned.
You promised to speak to no one, you were lucky that I heard Because without a witness no oath can be assured
You had intended not to confide in anyone but me, but the wordings uttered cannot be reliable without a third-person testimony.
Somewhere down the line you′ll look back and Say you did the best that you could and you'll be wrong You're always wrong
In the future, you may evaluate your deeds as best but that hindsight wouldn't be accurate as you always perceive yourself wrong.
I hope you enjoy it underneath the light I hope you can get some sleep tonight Because where you live the sun doesn′t set This is your bed. Hope you enjoy
Although you live in a place where daylight is abundant, I expect you to relish your stay under a well-lit shelter and soundly sleep. This bed belongs only to you, enjoy it if you could.
You held me in the sunlight, your interlocking hands Left a photograph on my shoulders, spots where I didn′t tan But my skin was an imperfect film and the negatives were burned Without the evidence there was no need for you to ever return
We embraced each other under the sun and your clasp left an image on my skin that wasn't tanned. But my blemished surface was inept to hold the memory as nothing was captured permanently, and your reappearance had no necessity thereafter.
And someone down the line will look back And wonder what you felt for me and he'll be wrong You′re always wrong
In the future, someone may contemplate if you had any feeling for me, but their deduction won't be correct as you're prone to err always.
I can′t turn this thing off It keeps following me Used to be so human now it's just a machine I can't turn this thing off It keeps following me When′d you say you were leaving? When′d you really leave?
I'm unable to shut off a thought or emotion as it persists with me incessantly, transforming me into an unfeeling machine. The thing that sticks with me, when did you utter to depart? And the reality of your exit?
If this is your bed, how do you do it? I was within my rights, I was behind the line You were dancing in your sleep I promised to hide it underneath the covers This is my bed, how do you do? Hope I enjoy my no one
I am puzzled if this bed truly belongs to you, how can you sleep being in it? I had done what I had the authority to do, and you were untroubled in your sleep. I assured you to mask it with blankets, and further question how can I relish a void surrounding me.
Writer(s): William James Barnes
Contributed by Xavier W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
adrian montecello
on sun hot
Sun, get me hot
Sun, get me hot
Sun, get me hot (Sun, get me high)
Sun, get me hot (Sun, get me hot)
Sun, get me hot (Sun, get me high)
Sun, get me hot (Sun, get me hot)
Sun, get me hot
Sun going down
Ooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Sun hot, sun
Sun hot, sun
Sun hot, sun
Sun hot, sun
adrian montecello
on beach weak
Did you want to see me?
You didn't want to see me
Did you, old friend, I can you hear you stealing
Loving in the locker room
It's a careless mistake
How many people can fit into a room?
When you stop drinking everything
Just starts to not invite me to your party
Lock the door on me
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
Did you ask me anything?
I didn't ask you anything
Think I understand just what's pretending to
Not ignore me
Sitting at your amber dresser
Letter with an extra letter in my name
And we've known each other for far too long
To be losing punctuation on this alcohol
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
(See you there, see you there, see you there, Will)
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
(See you there, see you there, Will)
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
Did you want to see me?
You didn't want to see me
Did you, old friend, old friend, I can
Hardly remember all the times we slaved
Over our friendship
We had a share of hard times
Sign my yearbook, I don't wanna be in any more
Debt to Mister Ray-Bans you didn't even like when you were in them
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
And I hope you have a good time, hope you have a good time when you're there
Did you ask me anything?
I didn't ask you anything
Think I understand just what's pretending to-
Yes?
Um, I need to go out for a while and get the van
Sounds great
[?] and then I'm gonna go grocery shopping, so I should be back by 1:40. Have you eaten anything today?
No
No?
Just forgot
adrian montecello
on sun hot
posted the lyrics to the wrong song haha i have no idea how this site works
adrian montecello
on sun hot
Did you want to see me?
You didn't want to see me
Did you, old friend, I can you hear you stealing
Loving in the locker room
It's a careless mistake
How many people can fit into a room?
When you stop drinking everything
Just starts to not invite me to your party
Lock the door on me
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
Did you ask me anything?
I didn't ask you anything
Think I understand just what's pretending to
Not ignore me
Sitting at your amber dresser
Letter with an extra letter in my name
And we've known each other for far too long
To be losing punctuation on this alcohol
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
(See you there, see you there, see you there, Will)
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
(See you there, see you there, Will)
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
Did you want to see me?
You didn't want to see me
Did you, old friend, old friend, I can
Hardly remember all the times we slaved
Over our friendship
We had a share of hard times
Sign my yearbook, I don't wanna be in any more
Debt to Mister Ray-Bans you didn't even like when you were in them
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
See you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I'll see you there, yes I will
And I hope you have a good time, hope you have a good time when you're there
Did you ask me anything?
I didn't ask you anything
Think I understand just what's pretending to-
Yes?
Um, I need to go out for a while and get the van
Sounds great
[?] and then I'm gonna go grocery shopping, so I should be back by 1:40. Have you eaten anything today?
No
No?
Just forgot