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'.
Met Before
Chairlift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It could be anywhere that we've passed each other by.
Were you at that one party? That one up on the ninth floor.
Were you the quiet one who stopped to hold the door?
Have we met before? Amongst the buzzing?
Clear like yesterday when you look at me and smile.
Because my heart is beating fast and I wish that I knew why.
Have we met before? Amongst the buzzing?
Clear like yesterday when you look at me and smile.
Have we met before? Amongst the buzzing?
Clear like yesterday when you look at me and ba-da-da-ba-ba
Have we met before? Amongst the buzzing?
Clear like yesterday when you look at me and smile.
Have we met before? Amongst the buzzing?
Clear like yesterday when you look at me and smile.
Oh you look at me and smile.
Oh you look at me and smile.
The lyrics of Chairlift's song "Met Before" depict two individuals who feel a strong connection to each other but are uncertain if they've met before. The first few lines utilize an interesting metaphor of familiar fish in water, suggesting that the two individuals have a deep-seated familiarity with each other, similar to the way fish in water feel comfortable with their surroundings. The lyrics then go on to describe various scenarios, from a party on the ninth floor to waiting in line for a movie, in which the two individuals may have seen each other before. Despite the uncertainty, the lyrics point toward a feeling of hope and excitement as the two individuals' hearts beat fast and they wish to learn more about each other.
The chorus of the song repeats the same line, "have we met before amongst the buzzing?" It's a clear indication of the confusion and curiosity the two people feel about each other. The buzz could be any place that creates an energy or excitement, like a party or a crowded street. Whether or not they've truly met before, what's clear is that the attraction between them is strong and immediate. In the repeated "ba-da-da-ba-ba" at the end of the chorus, the vocalist evokes a feeling of playful interaction that suggests two people teasing each other as they try to figure out if they've met before.
Overall, "Met Before" is a love song that captures the feeling of initial attraction and the excitement of getting to know someone new. It's a relatable experience that feels universal and timeless.
Line by Line Meaning
Did I just catch your eyes like familiar fish in the water.
I am wondering if we have seen each other before, as your eyes look familiar to me.
It could be anywhere that we've passed each other by.
We might have crossed paths before and didn't recognize each other.
Were you at that one party? That one up on the ninth floor.
I am trying to figure out if we met at a specific party that happened on the ninth floor.
Were you the quiet one who stopped to hold the door?
I am trying to recall if it was you who held the door for me, which made me notice you.
Was that you on the screen or just in line for the movie?
I am trying to figure out if we saw each other in the movie theater or if you were in the movie.
Because my heart is beating fast and I wish that I knew why.
I am feeling flustered and nervous because I am wondering about the possibility of us having met before.
Have we met before? Amongst the buzzing?
I am vocalizing my curiosity about the possibility of us having met before in a loud or crowded environment.
Clear like yesterday when you look at me and smile.
If we did meet before, it feels like it was yesterday because looking at you and your smile makes me feel like I have known you for a long time.
Oh you look at me and smile.
Your smile makes me feel happy and puts me at ease.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Caroline Elizabeth Polachek, Jonathan Patrick Wimberly, Rob Coradetti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Smith
I really am amazed Chairlift wasn’t a much bigger band when they were together, since Caroline is now blowing up solo I’ve been revisiting them and it’s so obvious how insanely good they were and what a talent she was even ten years ago
bh617
her ego was too big to stay in a partnership
Jurídico Gustavo Scat
I miss those guys so much, maybe in a parallel universe they never disbanded
___
They were magical. sadly her new solo stuff does not have the same charm... and the dude hasn't made any music.
AG Cook is 23 Years Old
_ PANG and Arcadia is beautiful but ok
die Abby
yeah PANG and Arcadia are masterpieces in my opinion but I miss them, together, anyway ):
Stupid Penguin Sounds
Confirmed.
Andrew Fiske
Damn right....still feels like 2013 to me....
john uhls
I'm so proud of Caroline polacheck. I remember this coming out my freshman year of highschool and falling in LOVE with this band and now she's super famous. It makes me littearly want to cry out of hapiness can never get enough of this band album and especially song. Really hope for a reunion at some point
Richter Belmont
She might be super famous. But the music is definitely not what it used to be. As is usually the case.