Death Cab began as a solo project of Ben Gibbard, now the band's vocalist and guitarist. Gibbard took the band name from the satirical song Death Cab for Cutie, performed by The Bonzo Dog Band in The Beatles' 1967 experimental film Magical Mystery Tour. As Death Cab for Cutie, Gibbard released a cassette titled You Can Play These Songs with Chords; the release was surprisingly successful, and Gibbard decided to expand the band into a complete project. He recruited Chris Walla (who had also worked on the cassette) as an electric guitarist, Nick Harmer as bass guitarist, and Nathan Good to play drums.
The four released the LP Something About Airplanes on August 18th 1998. The album was favorably reviewed in the independent music scene, and in 2000 the band released We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes. Nathan Good left the band at some point during this album's production. His playing on “The Employment Pages” and “Company Calls Epilogue” were kept, but Gibbard played drums on all other songs.
Michael Schorr would first appear on The Forbidden Love E.P., released on October 24, 2000. In 2001, another LP was released, entitled The Photo Album. Limited editions of this album contained three bonus tracks, which were later released separately as The Stability EP.
In 2003, there was another change of drummer, with Jason McGerr of Eureka Farm replacing Schorr. McGerr would play drums on the next release, Transatlanticism.
Transatlanticism was released in October of 2003. It received critical praise and also became the band's top-selling album, with 225,000 copies sold during its first year out.
In spring of 2004, the band recorded a live E.P. titled The John Byrd E.P., named for their sound engineer. The E.P. was released on Barsuk Records in March 2004.
In November of 2004, Death Cab for Cutie signed a “long-term worldwide deal” with Atlantic Records, leaving their long-time label Barsuk Records. Gibbard stated on the official website www.deathcabforcutie.com that nothing would change except that “Next to the picture of Barsuk holding a 7", there will be the letter "A" on both the spine and back of our upcoming albums.” This was a marked change from Gibbard's earlier views on major-label relations, which he said “are set up to fuck you and take all your money.”. After signing to Atlantic, the band was still nervous about corporate economics, and encouraged fans to download its songs from the Internet.
The first and second singles off the band's Atlantic Record release Plans were “Soul Meets Body” and “Crooked Teeth”, respectively. The full album was released in August of 2005. Plans was somewhat well-acclaimed by critics and fans, and received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Album of 2005. It achieved Gold Status in 2006 after charting on Billboard for 47 consecutive weeks.
The band released a touring DVD titled Drive Well, Sleep Carefully in 2005. Known for their contributions to animal rights, the band is supporting the activist group PETA in giving away copies of the DVD to promote animal rights.
In early 2006, the band announced the upcoming release of Directions, eleven short films inspired by songs from the Plans album, each directed by a different person. The videos were posted one at a time at the band's website and the DVD went on sale April 11, 2006.
On May 12, 2008 their album, Narrow Stairs, was released and was well received by both critics and fans. It was their first album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200. The album contains the singles "I Will Possess Your Heart", "Cath..." and "Grapevine Fires".
The band's latest released The Open Door EP, which was released on March 31, 2009. Their main styles consist of slow progressive rock with dark lyrics.
The band's seventh album, Codes and Keys, was released on May 31, 2011. The album's first single was "You Are A Tourist".
On October 11, 2013, the band reportedly began working on their eighth studio album. This was then confirmed by the group's official Instagram profile in which an image was uploaded with the caption "DCFC LP8 begins". The new album will be produced by Rich Costey and is expected to be released in early 2015. In an interview with Stereogum, Gibbard said of the new album, "I do think from start to finish it's a much better record than Codes And Keys. If that record turned anybody off, I feel pretty strongly that this one could win them back. There are threads in this one that connect back to our earliest stuff that people love." On October 29, 2013, the band released a remastered tenth-anniversary version of their 2003 album Transatlanticism. The new album included a vinyl LP and MP3 download, with demos for all the songs from the album.
As part of the 2014 Record Store Day, the band released its first live album, a vinyl-only double LP recorded during various 2012 tour dates with Magik*Magik Orchestra. Included within the packaging was a code for a digital download of the recording.
On August 13, 2014, after 17 years as a member of Death Cab for Cutie, guitarist and songwriter Chris Walla decided to part ways with the band, with his last performance occurring on September 13, 2014 at the Rifflandia Music Festival in Victoria, British Columbia. Walla states that he plans to "...continue making music, producing records, and erring on the side of benevolence and beauty whenever possible." When asked in an interview about Walla's involvement in the eighth album, McGerr confirmed that Walla "played on everything and has been involved all the way through, even in the mixing. Even though he's played his last show with us, he's still been involved in everything involving this record."
Different
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Outdated map crumpled in my pocket
But I didn't care where I was going
They're all different names for the same place
Coasts disappear when the sea drowns the sun
I've no words to share with anyone
All different names for the same thing
There are different names for the same thing
The lyrics to Death Cab for Cutie's song Different portray the artist's sense of detachment and isolation in the world. The setting is on a train, where the artist is aimlessly wandering with an old map that is crumpled in his pocket. Despite not knowing where he is going, the artist does not seem to care as he is alone, and the map is probably outdated. As he contemplates his own loneliness, he realizes that all the different names on the map lead to the same destination. This realization seems to suggest that no matter where we end up, we all experience our own versions of isolation and alienation.
The second verse of the song expands on the artist's sense of detachment. He looks out the window to see how the coasts of the sea disappear when the sun is drowned out. This metaphor suggests that we often forget our surroundings when we are caught up in our feelings. The artist continues to express his language curse. Despite being surrounded by people, he has no words to communicate his sense of isolation. This theme of detachment continues throughout the song, with the artist affirming that all the different names on the map refer to the same thing, which is the feeling of disconnection with the world.
In conclusion, Different by Death Cab For Cutie is a song that explores the ideas of isolation and detachment in a world that is constantly changing. The artist's aimless wanderings on a train with an outdated map add to the feeling of being lost and disconnected from the world. However, as the song progresses, the revelation that all the names on the map lead to the same place suggests that we all experience our own versions of isolation, and this shared experience can connect us in unexpected ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Alone on a train aimlessly wander
I'm traveling without a specific destination or purpose and I'm by myself
Outdated map crumpled in my pocket
I have a map, but it's old and doesn't accurately reflect where I am or where I'm going
But I didn't care where I was going
I'm not concerned about my destination and I'm content to let the journey guide me
They're all different names for the same place
Despite having different names, these places are essentially the same
Coasts disappear when the sea drowns the sun
The sunset blurs the horizon and it's difficult to distinguish where the sea ends and the coast begins
I've no words to share with anyone
I lack the ability to express myself or communicate effectively
Boundaries of language quietly curse
The limitations of language prevent true understanding and cause frustration and disappointment
All different names for the same thing
Despite having different labels, these things are essentially identical
There are different names for the same thing
Labels may vary, but the essence of these things remains the same
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN GIBBARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Sometimes_Always
Alone on a train, aimless in wonder
An outdated map crumpled in my pocket
But I didn't care where I was going
Cus' there are different names for the same place
The coasts disappear when the sea drown the sun
I've no words to share with anyone
The boundaries of language, I quietly curse
All different names for the same thing
There are different names for the same thing ...
@michaelynwatson1086
Alone on a train aimlessly wander
Outdated map crumpled in my pocket
But I didn't care where I was going
They're all different names for the same place
Coasts disappear when the sea drowns the sun
I've no words to share with anyone
Boundaries of language quietly curse
All different names for the same thing
There are different names for the same thing
@AlexandreBarril
Deus abençoe vocês, Death Cab for a Cutie
@harmansmith84
This is one of the best albums ever made period
@ellewilliford6416
absolutely
@caustic1611
I used to own this DVD and I KNOW there's a version where we get to hear the band kids actually performing it! Time to go looking...
@freeeede
I’m listening to this band for 10 years but right now i’ve understood why, cause they do their thing with heart ♥️
Thanks for sharing
@zinxderobo
If you find it please oh please link it.
@flentaldoss
find it. link it.
@caustic1611
@flentaldoss I don't think it's on youtube, I checked 😭
@zip1tie
just gonna add myself to the thread in case it ever gets linked :,(
@fuelvolts
My favorite song on my favorite DCFC album. Such an awesome song. Love this video as a former “band nerd”.