The band formed in Boulder, Colorado in early 2006 to make live music for haunted houses. Frequenting the Broker Inn on the edge of town for empty late-night jazz shows, Polachek, Pfenning and Wimberly were mystified by the 1980's faux-gothic architecture, oak-cabinet aquariums, vacant dancefloors, fake trees, crystal chandeliers and dark velveteen booths. Relocating to Brooklyn in the summer of 2006, the trio continued on to develop a hypnotic yet tongue-in-cheek style, playing shows around Brooklyn and the Lower East Side.
'Evident Utensil', released on 7" vinyl featuring a remix by MGMT, marked Chairlift's first release on Kanine. Chairlift unleashed their first full-length album, "Does You Inspire You", on Kanine Records on September 30th, 2008. The duo completed their sophomore album, "Something" in 2011 for release in January 2012. Recorded between New York and London, they recruited producers Alan Moulder (Depeche Mode, My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails) and Dan Carey (MIA, Franz Ferdinand, Lily Allen) and Carey also mixed the majority of the record. Three singles, 'Amanaemonesia', 'Sidewalk Safari' and 'Met Before' preceded the album's release. "Moth", the third and final album was released January 22, 2016, preceded by the single 'Ch-Ching'.
Guilty as Charged
Chairlift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eagle on the ceiling
My baby's sitting front row witnessing my hearing
I tried to burn the record book collection
I tampered with the local lie detection
I'm guilty as charged
I'm guilty as charged
You know I'm guilty as charged
But if I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
If I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
Footprints in the carpet
Cameras on the ceiling
My baby's swearing on the bible in stolen golden earrings
The creaky floor set off the fire alarm
And I never wanted to do any harm
But I'm guilty as charged
I'm guilty as charged
I'm guilty as charged
You know I'm guilty as charged
Go on punish me
But if I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
If I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
The song "Guilty as Charged" by Chairlift is a tale of someone who has been caught committing a crime, and is now facing the consequences of their actions. The imagery of "an angel in the courtroom" and "an eagle on the ceiling" create a sense of being watched and judged, while the baby sitting in the front row adds to the feeling of guilt and shame. The singer tries to justify their actions by explaining that they tampered with lie detection and burned a book collection that may have contained incriminating evidence. However, they ultimately accept their guilt and ask to be punished.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer acknowledges that they are guilty but implies that the punishment may not fit the crime. They question whether the person in power really wants the truth, or whether they would simply discard it once they got what they wanted. The repetition of "If I gave you what you're asking for, you know you wouldn't want it anymore" drives home the idea that the truth can be messy and uncomfortable, and that sometimes people would rather not know.
Overall, "Guilty as Charged" is a powerful commentary on the nature of truth and justice. It highlights the difficulty in figuring out what is right and wrong in complex situations, and questions the motives of those in power. The emotional weight of the song is intensified by Caroline Polachek's soaring vocals and the ethereal instrumental accompaniment.
Line by Line Meaning
Angel in the courtroom
I am trying to present myself as innocent and virtuous in the court
Eagle on the ceiling
I feel as though I am being watched and judged from above
My baby's sitting front row witnessing my hearing
My loved one is present in the courtroom, seeing my situation and supporting me
I tried to burn the record book collection
I attempted to hide my past actions and erase evidence of them
I tampered with the local lie detection
I purposely messed with the machine meant to determine whether or not I am telling the truth
I'm guilty as charged
I am fully aware that I committed the crimes I am being accused of
You know I'm guilty as charged
I am not trying to deny my wrongdoing, it is plain to see
Go on punish me
I am willing to face the consequences of my actions
But if I gave you what you're asking for
If I confessed to everything and revealed more than you are currently accusing me of
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
You would regret discovering the full extent of my wrongdoings
No no no no no I won't
I will not give any more information than what is necessary
Footprints in the carpet
There are signs of my presence and my actions have left a mark
Cameras on the ceiling
I feel as though I am being monitored and watched everywhere I go
My baby's swearing on the bible in stolen golden earrings
My loved one is swearing to tell the truth in court, but is also hiding their own wrongdoing
The creaky floor set off the fire alarm
An unexpected complication arose due to my actions, despite my lack of intention to cause harm
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Caroline Elizabeth Polachek, Jonathan Patrick Wimberly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Destiny McCann
Lyrics:
Angel in the courtroom
Eagle on the ceiling
My baby's sitting front row witnessing my hearing
I tried to burn the record book collection
I tampered with the local lie detection
I'm guilty as charged
I'm guilty as charged
You know I'm guilty as charged
Go on punish me
But if I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
If I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
Footprints in the carpet
Cameras on the ceiling
My baby's swearing on the bible in stolen golden earrings
The creaky floor set off the fire alarm
And I never wanted to do any harm
But I'm guilty as charged
I'm guilty as charged
I'm guilty as charged
You know I'm guilty as charged
Go on punish me
But if I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
If I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
Kace Darbouze-Omolade
One of my favorite songs of all time. So underrated
darkandfried
the sheer level of power this song admits will always be with me, its amazing
Destiny McCann
Lyrics:
Angel in the courtroom
Eagle on the ceiling
My baby's sitting front row witnessing my hearing
I tried to burn the record book collection
I tampered with the local lie detection
I'm guilty as charged
I'm guilty as charged
You know I'm guilty as charged
Go on punish me
But if I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
If I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
Footprints in the carpet
Cameras on the ceiling
My baby's swearing on the bible in stolen golden earrings
The creaky floor set off the fire alarm
And I never wanted to do any harm
But I'm guilty as charged
I'm guilty as charged
I'm guilty as charged
You know I'm guilty as charged
Go on punish me
But if I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
If I gave you what you're asking for
You know you wouldn't want it anymore
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
So I won't
No no no no no I won't
TheBarlettan
this song is very underrated I must say
Freedom-Martina Justice
I like this a lot. I will get it and do a club remix of this, bringing it new life!
knanceee
love this song!
Marwa Moursi
really amazing song ^_^ want more of it <3 <3
Lilian Isobel
Still sooooo good
Sentionaut
this should have billions of views.
theebobfather213
fo sho fo sho! I heard these guys tonight and it changed my fucking life!!!! :')