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.
can't cool me down
Car Seat Headrest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Can't cool me down, can't cool me down)
(Cool water on my brow)
(Can't cool me down, can't cool me down)
Schizophrenia dreaming
I've got a real bad feeling
With a taste like lemon
Getting high on nothing
Taking credit for nothing
Inside my head is an empty head
Introducing friends to friends
There is a hole in the ceiling
Everything will mean it has got no feeling
Smoke is pouring out the bed
I crawl like an animal to ya
(I crawl, I crawl, an animal to ya)
It's a time of need and I need you to help me
(I crawl, I crawl, an animal to ya)
Please (I crawl, I crawl, an animal to ya)
An animal to ya (I crawl, I crawl)
An animal to ya
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, no it can't cool me down
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, can't cool me down
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, it can't cool me down
Proven, visuals
It's been so long since I heard your voice
And felt you feeling for me
Come here, repel, at the mortuary
I like Chopin
Won't you send me to sleep
Hold on Daniel
You think you see all that
But there is nothing in the frame but fire
Is it satisfaction
Is it only practice for the real thing
Snapped out of the drip, drip screaming
Hey, we're not supposed to be here
(I'm not supposed to be here)
Hey, we're not supposed to be here
(I'm not supposed to be here)
My blood is dirty water, drain it, bleed it
Wash it down the drain
Devil in the eyes of somebody else's mistake
I am dripping with sweat, my hands
I can't hold anything in my hands
I've only made one mistake in my life,
I've only made one mistake, I'm going
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, no it can't cool me down
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, can't cool me down
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, it can't cool me down
Cruel
The song 'Can't Cool Me Down' by Car Seat Headrest is a song loaded with imaginations of scattered thoughts that explore the realm of anxiety, schizophrenia and desperation. The song makes use of powerful, poetic language to create a vivid picture of what mental distress looks like. The chorus of the song "Cool water on my brow, Can't cool me down, can't cool me down" creates a contradiction between the soothing effect of cool water and the inability of this relief to penetrate the experience of inner turmoil.
In the first verse of the song, the singer struggles with a taste like lemon and has trouble breathing, which could be symptoms of anxiety. As the song progresses, instruments like the guitar and synthesizer work together to create the feeling of immediacy as the singer increasingly and urgently seeks the help of a friend. The line "my blood is dirty water, drain it, bleed it, wash it down the drain" solidifies the feeling of anxiety and the necessity of the situation.
In the second verse, the stress and confusion of the singer continue to build, "Hey, we're not supposed to be here. My blood is dirty water, drain it, bleed it, wash it down the drain. Devil in the eyes of somebody else's mistake. I am dripping with sweat, my hands. I can't hold anything in my hands. I've only made one mistake in my life." These lines all combined explore the concept of feeling like an outsider in one's own life or an impulsive individual looking for a solution.
Line by Line Meaning
Cool water on my brow
The physical sensation of cool water on my forehead
Can't cool me down, can't cool me down
The sensation is not able to calm or soothe me
Schizophrenia dreaming
Experiencing hallucinations or delusions while sleeping
I've got a real bad feeling
Feeling anxious or uneasy
With a taste like lemon
A sour or bitter taste in my mouth
Having trouble breathing
Experiencing difficulty with my respiration
Getting high on nothing
Feeling euphoric or stimulated without ingesting any substances
Taking credit for nothing
Feeling accomplished or taking pride in something that required little effort
Inside my head is an empty head
Feeling mentally numb or lacking in creativity or thought
Introducing friends to friends
Socializing and introducing acquaintances to each other
There is a hole in the ceiling
A physical damage or opening in the roof of my environment
Everything will mean it has got no feeling
Whatever happens will lack emotional impact or significance
Smoke is pouring out the bed
The bed is on fire and smoke is emanating from it
I crawl like an animal to ya
Moving towards someone in a desperate or animalistic manner
It's a time of need and I need you to help me
Feeling vulnerable and requiring assistance from someone else
Please
An expression of a request for help
An animal to ya
Behaving like a wild or instinctual creature towards someone else
Proven, visuals
Confirming or validated visuals
It's been so long since I heard your voice
Feeling distant or disconnected from someone who was once close
And felt you feeling for me
Not experiencing or sensing the affection or love of someone else
Come here, repel, at the mortuary
Feeling both attracted and repelled by the idea of death or dying
I like Chopin
Appreciating the music of Chopin
Won't you send me to sleep
Requesting help to fall asleep due to insomnia or other sleep troubles
Hold on Daniel
Addressing someone named Daniel and asking them to wait or pause
You think you see all that
Challenging the perception or understanding of the person addressed
But there is nothing in the frame but fire
Realizing that what was thought to be present or visible is actually absent or replaced by flames
Is it satisfaction
Questioning the feeling of contentment or fulfillment
Is it only practice for the real thing
Wondering if the experiences or emotions being felt are merely preparatory for something else
Snapped out of the drip, drip screaming
Sounding a sudden or abrupt alarm or warning
Hey, we're not supposed to be here
Feeling out of place or unwelcome in a particular location or situation
My blood is dirty water, drain it, bleed it
Feeling contaminated or impure and hoping to be cleansed or purged
Wash it down the drain
Removing the impurities or negative feelings from oneself
Devil in the eyes of somebody else's mistake
Feeling condemned or judged for the actions of others
I am dripping with sweat, my hands
Experiencing physical discomfort and nervousness
I can't hold anything in my hands
Feeling insecure or lacking in confidence
I've only made one mistake in my life
Believing that one specific error has defined my existence or legacy
I'm going
Leaving the situation or environment being described
Cruel
An expression of harsh or unkind circumstances
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: William Barnes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kahnnik
It doesn't: 1 Weightlifters
2 Can't Cool Me Down
3 Hollywood
4 There Must Be More Than Blood
5 Hymn
6 Deadlines
7 Martin
8 What's With You Lately
9 Life Worth Missing
10 Famous
@sandwichyourself4481
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, can't cool me down
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, can't cool me down)
Schizophrenia dreaming
I got a real bad feeling
With a taste like lemon
Having trouble breathing
Getting high on nothing
Taking credit for nothing
Inside my head is an empty head
Introducing friends to friends
There is a hole in the ceiling
Everything but me and it has got no feeling
Smoke is pouring out the vents
I crawl like an animal to ya
(Crawl, crawl, an animal to ya)
It's a time of need and I need you to help me
(I crawl, I crawl, an animal to ya)
Please
(I crawl, I crawl, an animal to ya)
Animal to ya
(I crawl, I crawl, an animal to ya)
An animal to ya
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, can't cool me down
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, can't cool me down
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, can't cool me down
Vivid visions
It's been so long since I
Heard your voice and
Felt your feeling for me
Camille Raquin at the mortuary
I like Chopin, won't you sing me to sleep
No don't, Daniel
You think you see a light but
There is nothing in a flame but fire
Is it satisfaction
Is it only practice for the real thing
Snap out of the drug trip screaming
Hey, we're not supposed to be here!
(We're not supposed to be here!)
Hey, we're not supposed to be here!
(We're not supposed to be here!)
Now my blood is dirty water
Drain it, bleed it, wash it down the drain
The devil in the other, somebody else's mistake
I am dripping with sweat, my hands
I can't hold anything in my hands
I've only made one mistake in my life
I've only made one mistake, I'm going
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, no it can't cool me down
Cool water on my brow
It can't cool me down, it can't cool me down
Cool water on my brow
Can't cool me down, it can't cool me down
Cool
@emmalynch5492
The fact that someone told me I looked like someone who would listen to carseatheadrest as an INSULT and that was the way I ended up discovering them and LOVING them amazes me, like how could liking this amazing music ever be an insult?
@leoo232
it's not actually an insult! it's an inside joke within our fanbase to call the band bad, glad you enjoy the songs!!!
@kaiquefranca5
were you dressed as a dog, perhaps?
@melon2point082
I couple of 10 yr olds said I look like a furry the other day (I want jus warring a pullover jacket thing, long pants and boots )
@gildetesantos3362
@leoo232 every fanbase of an indie experimental band joke says that they actually hate them
@ratslapperyemo
So they were right lol
@jesuispretentieux
from having no passion to being unable to be cooled down in 5 years. quite the accomplishment.
@mionami9973
Can't relate lol
@dododestroyer5480
“Don’t know how to start, don’t know when to stop..”
@cheesecakelasagna
MioNami relatable, have a nice day.