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.
Is This Love?
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes I know
And I'm only enemy
Pain is all that I can see oh
I see you're climbing a tree
And I know
That it's easier to be up high in
And it's love, etc
You say you can't say anymore
You've already said it before
In a million different ways
Which where all not quite right
The rain is loud on the ground
Yes I know
But I don't even make a sound when
I come around oh
And you say I'd be better of dead
Well I know
But its no use hiding this pretty
Head in the ground
And it's love, etc
And we can do the zarathustra
We can do the broken fist
We can tear down all the borders
Or abbreviate the list
And when finally the finish line
Emerges from the mist
We'll sound a soft alarm
Woah oh
The first stanza of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's "Is This Love" explores the singer's uncertainty in their relationship with the person they are addressing. The singer recognizes that they and the other person are different from one another, and that this difference has caused conflict between them. The singer sees themselves as the "enemy" and feels a great deal of pain as a result of their differences. The next two lines describe the other person as "climbing a tree" and suggest that being high up in the air is better than being on the ground. The tree can be seen as a metaphor for the other person's detachment from the singer. The singer recognizes that the other person is up high and hard to reach, but also that this may be where they feel safest.
The second stanza explores the idea of communication breakdown in the relationship. The other person tells the singer that they have already said everything there is to say about the relationship in a "million different ways," but that these attempts have all fallen short. The singer is aware of the "loud" rain on the ground, but is silent when they come around. The singer suggests that the other person has told them that they would be "better off dead," but that they cannot ignore the situation by hiding their "pretty head in the ground." The final lines of the song introduce the possibility for reconciliation, or at least for change. The singer lists several actions they and the other person can take, including tearing down borders and sounding a "soft alarm" when the finish line appears.
Line by Line Meaning
You're so much different than me
I recognize that we are very distinct individuals.
Yes I know
I acknowledge and accept this fact.
And I'm only enemy
Despite my awareness, I feel like we are adversaries.
Pain is all that I can see oh
My perception of our relationship is clouded by negative emotions.
I see you're climbing a tree
I observe that you are doing something that I am unable or unwilling to do.
And I know
I understand why you would prefer to be in that position.
That it's easier to be up high in
The elevated position is less complicated or burdensome.
The air than on the ground
Compared to being on the ground, the sensation of being elevated is more preferable.
And it's love, etc
Regardless of our differences and difficulties, we are still in love with each other.
You say you can't say anymore
You indicate that you have exhausted all possible ways of expressing yourself.
You've already said it before
You have communicated this message in the past.
In a million different ways
You have attempted to convey this message in various manners.
Which were all not quite right
None of your previous attempts to communicate your message were successful.
The rain is loud on the ground
The sound of the rain is prominent and noticeable from where we are standing.
Yes I know
I am aware of this fact as well.
But I don't even make a sound when
Unlike the sound of the rain, I am silent and unobtrusive.
I come around oh
Despite my presence, I do not draw attention or make noise.
And you say I'd be better of dead
You express that my death would be more beneficial than my being alive.
Well I know
I acknowledge your feelings on this matter.
But its no use hiding this pretty
However, I do not believe that ignoring or avoiding the issue is helpful.
Head in the ground
Confronting the problem directly is the best course of action.
And it's love, etc
Despite our disagreements and challenges, our love for each other continues to exist.
And we can do the zarathustra
We have the capability to do incredible things, like the famed philosopher Zarathustra.
We can do the broken fist
We can fight against our obstacles with strength and resilience, even if we become injured in the process.
We can tear down all the borders
We have the power to overcome boundaries and limitations.
Or abbreviate the list
We can make a list of goals or aspirations, and make an effort to complete them efficiently.
And when finally the finish line
Once we reach the end of our journey or goal.
Emerges from the mist
When our destination becomes clear from being shrouded in uncertainty or ambiguity.
We'll sound a soft alarm
We will signal our triumph or achievement with a gentle reminder.
Woah oh
An expression of conclusion and finality, suggesting that we have overcome our challenges and attained our objective.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sean Michael Greenhalgh, Robert Lambert Guertin, Alexander John Ounsworth, Lee C Sargent, Tyler W Sargent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind