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."
Love Song
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
However far away I will always love you
However long I stay I will always love you
Whatever words I say I will always love you
I will always love you
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am free again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am clean again
However far away I will always love you
However long I stay I will always love you
Whatever words I say I will always love you
I will always love you
The lyrics of Death Cab for Cutie's Love Song expresses the happiness and comfort of being with someone who makes you feel complete. The repetition of the chorus highlights the consistency and depth of the love the singer has for their partner. "Whenever I'm alone with you/ You make me feel like I am home again" shows that being with the person they love brings a sense of comfort and familiarity which makes them feel like they have found their place in the world. The verse "You make me feel like I am young again/ You make me feel like I am fun again" perfectly sums up how this love has rejuvenated the singer and given them a new lease of life.
The lyrics also express the vow of unconditional love; "However far away I will always love you/ However long I stay I will always love you/ Whatever words I say I will always love you/ I will always love you". This is a love that transcends time and distance, and nothing can change that. Through good times and bad, the singer promises to love their partner forever. The lines "Whenever I'm alone with you/ You make me feel like I am free again/ Whenever I'm alone with you/ You make me feel like I am clean again" convey the idea that the presence of the person they love washes away all their worries and burdens, leaving them feeling light and cleansed.
Overall, the Love Song is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and how it can heal the soul, making us feel complete.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever I'm alone with you
Being alone with you is very special to me
You make me feel like I am home again
You make me feel comfortable, calm and safe
Whenever I'm alone with you
Being alone with you is very special to me
You make me feel like I am whole again
You make me feel complete and fulfilled
Whenever I'm alone with you
Being alone with you is very special to me
You make me feel like I am young again
You make me feel carefree and innocent
Whenever I'm alone with you
Being alone with you is very special to me
You make me feel like I am fun again
You make me feel happy and lively
However far away I will always love you
No matter the distance, my love for you will remain strong
However long I stay I will always love you
No matter the length of our time together, my love for you will remain strong
Whatever words I say I will always love you
No matter what I say, my love for you will remain strong
I will always love you
My love for you is constant and unwavering
Whenever I'm alone with you
Being alone with you is very special to me
You make me feel like I am free again
You make me feel unrestricted and liberated
Whenever I'm alone with you
Being alone with you is very special to me
You make me feel like I am clean again
You make me feel pure and refreshed
Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheSafaFenoner
This is/was our song with my girlfriend of 8 years. She left me yesterday and I played this song on repeat for many many hours; it really helped covering up my sobbing.
She told me that this is how I made her felt, she chose this song to describe her love for me. When you realized that you gave someone a home and love and hope... And then you go and destroy that you are destroying human spirit. I am sorry that I have wronged her, I am sorry that I managed to destroy something some beautiful, real and wonderful. I will never find anyone like her again
I hope this message reaches other couples who are in love; don't let little things fester and always be kind to each other. I really hope there are still people who were as in love as us and they stay together. I want to know that there's still happiness in the world.
Formless1
I feel the same. Over 10yrs with my ex and she wanted a separation. I hurt every goddamn day.
1964Loukas
TheSafaFenoner do not self sabotage yourself....there are many wonderful people out there....what if you ended up with someone even better in your view????
JessNW0lfG4NG
Gave me goosebumps, best cover I have heard to date ^_^
Scott Meckley
Definitely one of the best covers I've ever heard. Other great covers are Phil Collins You Can't Hurry Love which is my favorite cover ever, Bang A Gong Get It On By the Power Station, are just a few I can think of. Death Cab For Cutie did this cover amazingly.
Elinza Caldwell
One of the biggest Cure fans ever. That saying I love DCFC as well. To have this gem is amazing. I can't think of a better band to cover the Cure. Me and my wife's "official" song.
Gatito Cafe
This became one of those "songs you listen to at least once a year" for me. Great cover.
Leslie Ordonez
Going on repeat playlist. Yep. I love you Ben. ❤
Brian Hernandez
Wow man this sounds so much like the cure. It's like a younger version of the band members:) I love you both:)
A- Dub
Ben did it true justice!!!! Thanks dood, I'm sure Robert is proud! It's a beautiful true sad song. GOTH!!!!