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.
Skip The Charades
Cold War Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fishing for any sign of life
Drinks after dinner
Your friends will get you to unwind
Let's skip the charades
Can we just speak plain?
I'm two left feet
Somehow you manage
To keep your sense of humor in tact
Let's skip the charades
You're seeing right through me anyway
Can we just speak plain?
We're playing for the same team
But I'm the one that's acting like
Acting like
Acting like
I'm so strong
You're the one that's acting like
Acting like
Acting like
Nothing's wrong
You dodged the bullet
You do your best when you're busiest
You're disconnected
You can't find your name in the script
It was you who were wildest
It was you who floated above us all
I held on with wires
Will you come back down if I let you go?
Let's skip the charades
You're seeing right through me anyway
Can we just speak plain?
We're playing for the same team
But I'm the one that's acting like I'm so strong
You're the one that's acting like nothing's wrong
I'm the one that's acting like I'm so strong
You're the one that's acting like nothing's wrong
Can we skip the charades?
Just speak plain
Can we skip the charades?
Just speak plain
Can we skip the charades?
Just speak plain
Can we skip the charades?
Just speak plain
The lyrics to Cold War Kids' song “Skip The Charades” speak to a sense of disconnection and detachment in relationships. The opening lines, “You wait on letters, Fishing for any sign of life,” set the scene for a person who is waiting and hoping for a connection that seems elusive. The reference to “drinks after dinner” and friends helping “you to unwind” suggest an attempt to find relief from this sense of disconnection. However, the chorus shows that the singer is tired of pretending as they plead, “Let's skip the charades, Can we just speak plain?” They recognize that they are not being their authentic selves (“I'm two left feet”), and they would like to have a real connection with the person they are addressing.
The second verse speaks to the resilience and humor of the person they are addressing. The lines “You're seeing right through me anyway, Can we just speak plain?” show that the singer feels seen, and they recognize that their performance and “acting like” nothing is wrong is being seen for what it is. The metaphor of “I held on with wires, Will you come back down if I let you go?” speaks to the fragility of the connection they are hoping to make. They want to skip the pretense and speak plainly so they can better understand each other and connect in a more authentic way.
Line by Line Meaning
You wait on letters
You eagerly anticipate any form of communication
Fishing for any sign of life
Desperately searching for any indication of existence
Drinks after dinner
After-dinner beverages to relax
Your friends will get you to unwind
Your companions will help you loosen up
Let's skip the charades
Let's stop pretending
Can we just speak plain?
Can we communicate honestly?
I'm two left feet
I'm awkward
When I'm home, we tap-danced on broken glass
When I'm comfortable, we live on the edge
Somehow you manage
You always find a way
To keep your sense of humor in tact
To maintain your ability to find amusement
You're seeing right through me anyway
You can already tell what I'm thinking or feeling
We're playing for the same team
We have the same goal
But I'm the one that's acting like I'm so strong
Despite being part of the same team, I'm trying to appear invincible
You're the one that's acting like nothing's wrong
You're concealing any negative emotions or issues
You dodged the bullet
You avoided a negative outcome
You do your best when you're busiest
You work most effectively under pressure
You can't find your name in the script
You feel lost or uncertain of your role
It was you who were wildest
You were the most daring
It was you who floated above us all
You were in a league of your own
I held on with wires
I was barely staying attached or in control
Will you come back down if I let you go?
Will you revert to normalcy if I stop trying to control you?
Just speak plain
Simply communicate honestly
Can we skip the charades?
Can we stop the pretense?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JACQUIRE KING, JONATHAN RUSSELL, MATTHEW AVEIRO, MATTHEW MAUST, NATHAN WILLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tharpopolis
It makes me sick that they weren't rewarded for their efforts with the amazing Mine Is Yours. It was a critical and commercial failure, and it should have been both well received and big on the charts/radio play. If this song/video doesn't make an impact, then there's definitely something wrong with people.
Austin Mata
The song that started it all for me. Still so underrated.
Kimberly Iverson
I knew Cold War Kids were amazing....but this song.....I'm speechless :)
Keegan Eilin
First song I ever heard from y’all. Thanks for taking me on this journey
Gabi A
i've listened to this song so many times. so good. emotion is crazy.
Valerie Blair
This song is fabulous. One of my favorites of all time. By any band.
LemonCoconut
His voice is amazing. I love it.
Fat Kid
love this song!!!!!!! cnt stop replaying
Bob Burgenbright
amazing lyrics! like this stuff!
alli cat
I cannot express how much I love this song