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.
Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Could we please have your attention?
There is nothing left to fear
Not now that Bigfoot is captured
But are the children really right alright alright?
But are the children really right alright alright?
But are the children all alright?
There are things we can't control but
Will we give ourselves a fright
When we become less than human?
There are people who say why, oh why, oh why?
Now there are other ways to die, oh why, oh why
Oh why, oh why?
But upon this tidal wave
Oh god oh god
But upon this tidal wave
Oh god oh god, of
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
We are men who stay alive
Who send your children away now
We are calling from a tower
Expressing what must be everyone's opinion
"They are going out to bars
And they are getting into cars
I have seen them with my own eyes."
"America please help them!"
And they are
Child stars [Repear: x30]
With their sex, and their drugs
And their rock and rock and rock and rock and roll
Hey!
The song "Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is a commentary on modern society and the state of its youth. The opening lines declare that there is nothing left to fear now that Bigfoot is captured, indicating a feeling of relief after overcoming a great obstacle. But then the chorus questions the certainty of that relief, asking repeatedly whether the children are really alright. This implies that there are still dangers to be faced and that perhaps the children are not as safe as they seem. The verses continue this theme, with the lyrics painting a picture of a world that is full of uncertainty and danger. The repeated line "Oh why, oh why?" suggests a sense of despair and hopelessness in the face of this uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that everybody's here
We have everyone's attention
Could we please have your attention?
We need you to listen to us
There is nothing left to fear
We have resolved the issue
Not now that Bigfoot is captured
We have resolved the issue
But are the children really right alright alright?
Are the younger generation correct?
But are the children all alright?
Are the younger generation okay?
There is danger in the night
There are things to be cautious of
There are things we can't control but
Certain things are out of our hands
Will we give ourselves a fright
Will we scare ourselves
When we become less than human?
When we lose our humanity
There are people who say why, oh why, oh why?
Some wonder why things are happening
Now there are other ways to die, oh why, oh why
There are alternatives to death
Oh why, oh why?
Why is this happening?
But upon this tidal wave
On this monumental moment
Oh god oh god
An expression of emotion
But upon this tidal wave
On this monumental moment
Oh god oh god, of
An expression of emotion
Young blood
The younger generation
Young blood
The younger generation
Young blood
The younger generation
Young blood
The younger generation
Young blood
The younger generation
Young blood
The younger generation
Young blood
The younger generation
We are men who stay alive
We have survived
Who send your children away now
We are sending the younger generation away
We are calling from a tower
We are making demands
Expressing what must be everyone's opinion
We are expressing the opinion of the masses
"They are going out to bars
They are participating in adult activities
And they are getting into cars
They are driving
I have seen them with my own eyes."
I have witnessed it myself
"America please help them!"
A plea for assistance
And they are
They are
Child stars [Repear: x30]
A reference to young celebrities
With their sex, and their drugs
Participation in risky behavior
And their rock and rock and rock and rock and roll
Their love for rock music
Hey!
An expression of excitement
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alec Ounsworth, Lee Sargent, Robbie Guertin, Sean Greenhalgh, Tyler Sargent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Korpx
I’ll always love this album. Reminds me of playing world at war online with all my friends. Good times man.
Luis Fer Cg
es bueno escuchar radio por internet, puedes encontrar maravillas como esta :)
Z Jared
Eso si era Indie...
Alejandro Matos Anguis
I just love the message in this song <3
Grant Cook
bullshiet
felix 66
sad and beautiful. not heard for a few years now but still pertinent. child stars indeed. shall blast out the car window when the weather picks up a bit. am in england after all! cheers laco kx
hugo
underrated as fck :(
Sheena Ramone
Such a beautiful song in the beautiful album
Hannah Bishop
love it 😎
Evan Beckstedt
They remind me of the Talking Heads a little.