Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, which features the rollicking, energetic single "Miracle Mile," is Cold War Kids' first release with former Modest Mouse and Murder City Devils guitarist Dann Gallucci, who also handled its production alongside Lars Stalfors.
"We were shaken up, ready to let certain songs go further than before by trying new styles and arrangements, while keeping others sparse and caring more about the finished product and less about how we got there," explains frontman Nathan Willet about the ten-track album, which was recorded at the band's private studio in San Pedro, CA.
Cold War Kids are from Los Angeles, CA.
Audience
Cold War Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet heart can bargain half price mistakes
She will go down with her ship like a good captain
You're sitting on the dock playing for an audience of one
Pacing your apartment, linoleum floors
Get a call from an old friend, she never liked him before
He will drive all over three lanes, you sit tight, shotgun
You came out from the country wearing mama's clothes
You were born in the city with daddy's domino's
You need a record you can move to, well, we got one
Drop the needle, we are playing for an audience of one
Drop the needle, we are playing for an audience of one
One gets all of you, two's jealous, three gets even less
Four divides you up then you're left pleasing all your guests
Reach out, you point a finger and touch the globe
Spin it round and where it stops you got to pack your bags and go
Land in the Mojave desert, you sing for the sun
Three's too many when you're playing for an audience of one
Two's too busy when you're playing for an audience of one
One is the only way you're playing for an audience of one
The lyrics to Cold War Kids' song Audience seem to be describing someone who is living their life in a way that feels performative or like they're putting on a show for an audience of one - themselves. The first verse paints a picture of someone who is in the throes of desire for another person ("Sunday nights that you want her like velvet cake") but who is also aware of their own ability to make mistakes ("Sweet heart can bargain half price mistakes"). Despite this, the person being described is steadfast and committed to their choices, even if they lead to figurative sinking ships ("She will go down with her ship like a good captain"). Meanwhile, the person singing the song is imagining themselves as an audience of one, watching this all unfold from the safety of the dock.
The second verse describes a moment of tension and uncertainty, with the singer waiting for a phone call from someone they don't particularly like ("Get a call from an old friend, she never liked him before"). Nevertheless, they find themselves strapped in for the ride ("He will drive all over three lanes, you sit tight, shotgun"), with only the windshield wipers providing a visual for their audience of one.
The chorus contains a repeated line about playing for an audience of one, emphasizing the idea that the person singing feels like all the moves they're making are solely for their own benefit or amusement. The third verse continues this theme, with the singer moving around the globe and creating their own soundtrack to accompany their solo journey. The last line of the song hammers home the central message: "One is the only way you're playing for an audience of one."
Line by Line Meaning
Sunday nights that you want her like velvet cake
Describing a desirable and indulgent situation
Sweet heart can bargain half price mistakes
Someone willing to accept half-hearted apologies for their forgiveness
She will go down with her ship like a good captain
Describing someone who is loyal and committed even in tough times
You're sitting on the dock playing for an audience of one
Feeling alone and unappreciated despite one's efforts
Pacing your apartment, linoleum floors
Feeling restless and confined in a dull environment
Get a call from an old friend, she never liked him before
Receiving unexpected attention from someone who previously didn't care
He will drive all over three lanes, you sit tight, shotgun
Going along for the ride as someone else takes control
Windshield wipers waving for an audience of one
Performing a pointless action in front of no one in particular
You came out from the country wearing mama's clothes
Describing an unlikely or unconventional appearance
You were born in the city with daddy's domino's
Growing up with a certain privilege or sense of entitlement
You need a record you can move to, well, we got one
Offering a solution to someone's problem or need
Drop the needle, we are playing for an audience of one
Acknowledging a small and insignificant audience
One gets all of you, two's jealous, three gets even less
Describing the difficulties of balancing multiple relationships
Four divides you up then you're left pleasing all your guests
Being pulled in so many directions that you can't truly satisfy anyone
Reach out, you point a finger and touch the globe
Describing the ease of communication and connection in today's world
Spin it round and where it stops you got to pack your bags and go
Emphasizing the transitory nature of modern life
Land in the Mojave desert, you sing for the sun
Finding oneself in an unfamiliar and challenging situation
Three's too many when you're playing for an audience of one
Feeling overwhelmed by even a small amount of attention
Two's too busy when you're playing for an audience of one
Feeling neglected even in a two-person scenario
One is the only way you're playing for an audience of one
Emphasizing the importance of focusing on oneself and one's own goals
Contributed by Violet S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@butterpasser6968
Sunday nights that you want her like velvet cake
Sweet heart can bargain half price mistakes
She will go down with her ship like a good captain
You're sitting on the dock playing for an audience of one
Pacing your apartment, linoleum floors
Get a call from an old friend, she never liked him before
He will drive all over three lanes, you sit tight, shotgun
Windshield wipers waving for an audience of one
You came out from the country wearing mama's clothes
You were born in the city with daddy's domino's
You need a record you can move to, well, we got one
Drop the needle, we are playing for an audience of one
Drop the needle, we are playing for an audience of one
One gets all of you, two's jealous, three gets even less
Four divides you up then you're left pleasing all your guests
Reach out, you point a finger and touch the globe
Spin it round and where it stops you got to pack your bags and go
Land in the Mojave desert, you sing for the sun
Three's too many when you're playing for an audience of one
Two's too busy when you're playing for an audience of one
One is the only way you're playing for an audience of one
@JustPierreMusic
Still in love with this song.
@leonardoribeiro85
Essa mรบsica estava sempre presente na minha playlist do ensino mรฉdio. BR aqui!
@suigetsu777
one of the greatest song of cold war kids
@justinschexnayder8485
I would put Tuxedos up there too
@prodigalsonresurrection
It's so weird to see this song is 13 years old now... damn, where has the time gone?
@johnnerren6766
Song almost brings me to tears everytime. Seems I'm always playing for an audience of one.
@gsingh350z
man these guys know music so underrated
@carleyschaeper5578
Will always love this song
@butterpasser6968
Sunday nights that you want her like velvet cake
Sweet heart can bargain half price mistakes
She will go down with her ship like a good captain
You're sitting on the dock playing for an audience of one
Pacing your apartment, linoleum floors
Get a call from an old friend, she never liked him before
He will drive all over three lanes, you sit tight, shotgun
Windshield wipers waving for an audience of one
You came out from the country wearing mama's clothes
You were born in the city with daddy's domino's
You need a record you can move to, well, we got one
Drop the needle, we are playing for an audience of one
Drop the needle, we are playing for an audience of one
One gets all of you, two's jealous, three gets even less
Four divides you up then you're left pleasing all your guests
Reach out, you point a finger and touch the globe
Spin it round and where it stops you got to pack your bags and go
Land in the Mojave desert, you sing for the sun
Three's too many when you're playing for an audience of one
Two's too busy when you're playing for an audience of one
One is the only way you're playing for an audience of one
@danielright1515
Been searching for this song a month!!! Finally found it. Such a gem