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.
Emily Jean Stock
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyday is your birthday
You're such a treat
I'm just a drip in your faucet
Before the party's over (make it on over)
Before the highway road ends
Before the day begins (make it on over, now)
There's no on else
There's no one quite so perfect
When you're foreign bound
I am the coin in your pocket
Just wait for me the night through (make it on over)
Like I do for you
There's no one left to cry boo-hoo (make it on over, now)
Play it through
You're not like me (not like me)
It seems that people stick like flies to you
And my mystery (my mystery)
Is just that I've no one to cling to
I think that it's the Chinese New Year (make it on over)
Of this I'm fairly clear
And what a better way to celebrate (make it on over, now)
Than run away with little boy blue?
Come along now now now now
Don't think on an offer that you can't refuse
Yesterday's not quite the same let's make it plain
There are things that I can do
Some day we're gonna make it all right
It's a radio that tells me so (it's just a radio)
The lyrics to Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's song "Emily Jean Stock" paint a picture of unrequited love and longing for someone who seems to be unattainably perfect. The singer describes the object of his affection as always looking neat and like everyday is her birthday, while he feels like just a drip in her faucet - insignificant in comparison. He acknowledges that there's no one else who is as perfect as she is, and the contrast between her popularity and his mystery is highlighted when he sings "people stick like flies to you, and my mystery is just that I've no one to cling to".
The chorus of the song is a plea to "make it on over", to seize the moment before it's too late. The singer feels that time is running out - before the party's over, before the highway road ends, before the day begins. He wants to express his feelings for Emily Jean Stock before it's too late. The bridge of the song brings in a reference to the Chinese New Year - perhaps a metaphor for new beginnings and fresh starts. He urges Emily to come away with him, to not think on an offer that she can't refuse. The final line, "it's a radio that tells me so", suggests that the singer is holding onto hope that they will someday be together, even if it's just a comforting thought he hears on the radio.
Overall, "Emily Jean Stock" is a bittersweet love letter to someone who seems to be impossibly perfect, but who the singer still longs for. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency to seize the moment, to not let time slip away, and to take a chance on love.
Line by Line Meaning
You look so neat
You always appear perfectly put-together
Everyday is your birthday
You always radiate joy and celebration
You're such a treat
You are delightful to be around
I'm just a drip in your faucet
I feel small and insignificant compared to you
Before the party's over (make it on over)
Before our time together ends
Before the highway road ends
Before we part ways
Before the day begins (make it on over, now)
Before we go our separate ways for the day
There's something I need to say
I have something important to express
There's no one else
No one compares to you
There's no one quite so perfect
You are exceptional
When you're foreign bound
When you are traveling
I am the coin in your pocket
I am always with you
Just wait for me the night through (make it on over)
Stay with me until morning
Like I do for you
Just as I am loyal to you
There's no one left to cry boo-hoo (make it on over, now)
No one else to complain or cause a scene
Play it through
Let's continue to enjoy ourselves
You're not like me (not like me)
We are different
It seems that people stick like flies to you
People are drawn to you and attracted to you
And my mystery (my mystery)
The thing about me that is puzzling
Is just that I've no one to cling to
I do not have anyone to rely on
I think that it's the Chinese New Year (make it on over)
I believe it is time to celebrate
Of this I'm fairly clear
I am certain of this fact
And what a better way to celebrate (make it on over, now)
There is no better way to celebrate
Than run away with little boy blue?
Shall we go on an adventure together?
Come along now now now now
Let's go immediately
Don't think on an offer that you can't refuse
Do not hesitate to join me
Yesterday's not quite the same let's make it plain
Things are different now, let's be clear about our intentions
There are things that I can do
I am capable of making things happen
Some day we're gonna make it all right
We will eventually be okay
It's a radio that tells me so (it's just a radio)
I have faith and hope that things will improve
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind