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.
Same Mistake
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With an angel tattooed to her inner thigh,
Wild eyes reflected, and the neon sign.
I did not ask for love,
Merely the same mistake
Don't be a fool with that,
Your useless plastic pistol,
Cause and disappear into the night.
As it stands, we're trading potions
For new potions to be swallowed whole.
We make the same mistake.
What to imply?
Have you picked a part?
Staying in the action.
Where's the action?
Here we are, drawing straws,
Taking sides when we aren't
Letting up and letting go.
Letting up.
Letting go.
Manacles and endless lists on a shelf.
Our wealth, it will be squandered
By subtle gusts of cold wind,
Cars rusting below the bridge.
And shouts behind the factory,
At first frightening,
But it's just kids beginning
To make the same mistakes
On an open road
On an open road
On an open road
We make the same mistake
The song "Same Mistake" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is a reflective commentary on life's endless cycle of making the same mistakes, regardless of the intentions behind them. The song opens with vivid imagery of chaos and rebellion as the singer describes a woman with an "angel tattooed to her inner thigh" and "wild eyes reflected" in the neon sign. Despite the allure of this rebellious lifestyle, the singer did not ask for love or anything complicated - just "the same mistake." It is clear that the singer is grappling with the inevitability of repeating patterns, even when they know they should do better.
The second verse brings a sense of urgency and disillusionment, as the singer speaks of useless weapons and trading potions - a metaphor for the futility of our attempts to change things. The lines "we're trading potions for new potions to be swallowed whole" emphasize the idea that despite trying to escape our mistakes, we're only getting caught in new ones. The chorus returns with the same call - "we make the same mistake" - emphasizing the cyclical nature of our lives.
The final verse brings a sense of resignation as the singer talks about "manacles and endless lists on a shelf" and our wealth being squandered by "subtle gusts of cold wind." The image of cars rusting below the bridge and shouts behind the factory serve as a reminder that no matter how hard we try, we will always be caught in the same cycle. The final lines "on an open road, we make the same mistake" reveal the ultimate truth: we can try as hard as we want to change our fate, but the outcome will always be the same.
Line by Line Meaning
On and open road and a virgin kick to chaos
Starting on a new path with a wild and chaotic beginning.
With an angel tattooed to her inner thigh,
Referring to a female who has either an actual tattoo, or who is aspirational.
Wild eyes reflected, and the neon sign.
Taking in the scene, reflecting excitement and energy.
I did not ask for love,
Not looking for a permanent relationship or deep attachment.
Merely the same mistake
Not looking for anything specific, just the same type of experience.
Don't be a fool with that,
Warning someone not to do something foolish.
Your useless plastic pistol,
Referring to something of no real value or power in a situation.
On my signal, we will drop our stupid
Ready to leave behind something pointless or unimportant.
Cause and disappear into the night.
Ready to leave and move on quickly.
As it stands, we're trading potions
Constantly trying new things in order to get what we want.
For new potions to be swallowed whole.
Continuing to try different things without caution or hesitation.
We make the same mistake.
Unable to learn from our past actions and continuing to make the same choices.
What to imply?
Wondering what the intended message or meaning is.
Have you picked a part?
Examining and breaking down a situation or idea.
Staying in the action.
Continuing to be involved and present in a situation.
Where's the action?
Questioning where the excitement and energy is in a situation.
Here we are, drawing straws,
Choosing random paths or options and seeing what happens.
Taking sides when we aren't
Choosing to be a part of something without truly having an opinion.
Letting up and letting go.
Relaxing and releasing control.
Manacles and endless lists on a shelf.
Feeling trapped by expectations and responsibilities.
Our wealth, it will be squandered
Our resources and opportunities will be wasted.
By subtle gusts of cold wind,
The wasted opportunities will be a result of small, unseen events.
Cars rusting below the bridge.
Visualizing a scene of decay and disregard.
And shouts behind the factory,
Hearing the sounds of chaos and destruction.
At first frightening,
Initially scary or intimidating.
But it's just kids beginning
Realizing that the source of the noise is actually innocent and harmless.
To make the same mistakes
Watching others repeat the same patterns of behavior.
On an open road
Beginning a new journey.
We make the same mistake
Continuing to repeat old patterns and choices.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
naynew
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: too cool to enunciate
Christian Andrés Araya Muñoz
are they working on the streaming or what? there's a band playing!
itmyowninvention
they're watching the live stream
reefer rolling
does anyone understand what he is saying???
Jace
I thought I caught a word or two... but, I was mistaken. I think.
Daniel Stone
goodgod. those drums have zero chill. the whole song. wow.
adam parker
i came