Their debut album, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, recorded by Adam Lasus (Genius + Love = Yo La Tengo/the dirt of luck), was self-released in 2005, receiving attention from numerous MP3 blogs and a favorable review from Pitchfork Media, who gave the band a "Best New Music" commendation. The ensuing demand for the album was so great that the band were forced to re-press the CD, as the initial production run was too small. David Bowie and David Byrne were subsequently spotted at some of the band's shows, garnering them even more press. They also received praise from Rolling Stone as the 'Hot New Band' for 2005. On October 3, 2005, they were signed to Wichita Recordings in the UK.
The band released their second album, Some Loud Thunder on January 29, 2007, in the UK, and January 30, 2007, in the United States. On September 18, 2007, Live at Lollapalooza 2007: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah was released on iTunes. It features the band's complete live set from Lollapalooza, professionally recorded on August 4, 2007.
May 2011 brought news the third album, reassuring fans that they had not broken up. The band released Hysterical, produced by John Congleton, on September 12 in the UK, Europe, Japan, and Australia, and on September 20 in the United States. It was announced via a post on the band's official website with a video of the band rehearsing a few new songs from the album in the studio. A vinyl reissue of a remastered edition of the first album, released on June 14, 2011, was also announced. A music video for "Maniac" was made by Belgian director Pieter Dirkx. It was released on September 14, 2011.
On August 1, 2013 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah digitally released their EP Little Moments on their Bandcamp page. It consisted of four songs, two of which were to be included in a different form on their forthcoming LP, Only Run. Little Moments featured a new sound for the band that included a heavier reliance on synths and drum machines and fewer guitars. The band recorded the EP in Alec Ounsworth's home studio, mixing and mastering the EP themselves. Additionally, 500 10 inch vinyl EPs were put on sale on the band's Bandcamp page.
On December 31, 2013 the band announced via email the completion of their forthcoming album called Only Run with a release date of June 3, 2014. Its first single, Coming Down, featured vocals from The National's Matt Berninger.
Arm and Hammer
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Amanda said it's time to go
She said I'm tired of being homeless, restless.
I confess
I am wrong
Listen, we are
Listen, we are
We're
All
Talk
Talk
Mission we're on
Mission we're on
Mission we're on
Big
Dumb
Cock
Cock
Heaven be good
Heaven be good
Heaven be good
Hell
Stand
Up
Up
Mission we're on
Mission we're on
Mission we're on
Big
Dumb
Cock
The lyrics to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's song Arm and Hammer are cryptic and hard to interpret, yet offer a commentary on society, and the struggles that people go through. Amanda says it's time to go, and that she's tired of being homeless and restless. The lyrics illustrate the desperation that some people feel when they are stuck in a situation that they can't get out of, and the feeling of being trapped.
The repetition of the phrase "Listen, we are" indicates that the singer is trying to convince someone to listen to them, yet they are still only "All / Talk / Talk." This could refer to the idea that people often say they will do something, but fail to follow through. The addition of "Mission we're on / Big / Dumb / Cock" reinforces this idea, and could be interpreted as the singer mocking the idea of having a grand mission or purpose in life, and instead pointing out how meaningless it can be.
The final lines of the song are almost like a plea for salvation, with the refrain of "Heaven be good / Hell / Stand / Up / Up" suggesting that the singer hopes for a divine intervention to help them get out of their situation. Overall, the lyrics are a poignant commentary on the struggle of modern life, and the feelings of isolation and desperation that can come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Amanda said you have to go
Amanda told me it's time to leave.
Amanda said it's time to go
Amanda is telling me that we need to leave this place.
She said I'm tired of being homeless, restless.
Amanda is expressing her exhaustion at constantly being without a home and feeling unfulfilled.
I confess
I admit that I made a mistake.
Listen, we are
Pay attention, we are here.
Listen, we are
Listen up, we are present.
Listen, we are
Take note, we are in this moment.
We're
We are currently.
All
Each and every one of us.
Talk
We just talk, but don't act on what we say.
Talk
We talk, but don't follow through with our words.
Mission we're on
We have a purpose that we're trying to achieve.
Mission we're on
Our current goal is to reach a specific objective.
Mission we're on
We're working towards something important.
Big
Significant and meaningful.
Dumb
Silly or senseless.
Cock
An expression of male genitalia used to convey power or dominance.
Heaven be good
May heaven help and guide us.
Heaven be good
May we receive divine assistance and blessings along our journey.
Heaven be good
May we be graced with positive energy and protection as we move forward.
Hell
A difficult or trying situation.
Stand
Be brave and ready to face challenges.
Up
To rise up and overcome the obstacles we encounter.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
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