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."
President of What?
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Creases indicating fold that kept four walls from caving in
I took a little more of what I take for granted
And filled my plate for fear that gears would turn
And wheels would roll away
Something's got to break you down
Entered the scene (i'm told) on I think it was Monday
For all it could bleed 'til dry
I took a little more 'til I got taken for granted
Cause beautiful boys gave chase
And when they arch your backbone
It's such a dreadful sight
I'll react when faces find you
With jealous fits that gag and bind you
Cause nothing hurts like nothing at all
When imagination takes full control
The lyrics to President of What? by Death Cab for Cutie convey a sense of apathy and detachment from the world. The singer seems to be observing life from a distance, not fully engaging in it, as if he is afraid of being hurt. The opening lines describe a rainy Sunday, and the image of creases on walls is used to suggest the fragility of our lives. The fear of being overwhelmed or crushed is expressed through the words "gears would turn and wheels would roll away."
In the second verse, the singer describes another person who has entered the scene and "mined that quarry for all it could bleed 'til dry." This could be interpreted as a metaphor for someone who has taken advantage of life, draining it of all its potential. Meanwhile, the singer continues to take for granted what he has, until he is taken for granted himself by "beautiful boys" who give chase.
The final lines of the song describe the singer's fear of being judged and rejected by others. He suggests that nothing hurts more than feeling invisible, and that sometimes our imagination can take over and create even more pain. Overall, the lyrics suggest a sense of alienation and fear of intimacy, and a longing for something to break through the walls that we build around ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw the scene unfold on a rainy Sunday
I witnessed an event happening on a gloomy Sunday.
Creases indicating fold that kept four walls from caving in
The wrinkles on the wall signify the strength that kept the place from falling apart.
I took a little more of what I take for granted
I indulged myself in something that I undervalue or overlook normally.
And filled my plate for fear that gears would turn
I overcompensated for my fear of change or uncertainty.
And wheels would roll away
I feared that everything I'd planned or come to know would crumble and disappear.
Something's got to break you down
Sometimes, an event has to happen to change or impact you significantly.
Entered the scene (i'm told) on I think it was Monday
Someone new or something different arrived, and it was noticed on a Monday.
You drove straight through and mined that quarry
You went forward relentlessly and extracted everything possible from a situation or person.
For all it could bleed 'til dry
Without stopping, you took everything there was to take until there was nothing left.
I took a little more 'til I got taken for granted
I continued indulging in something until I was no longer appreciated, respected, or valued.
Cause beautiful boys gave chase
Attracted to something or someone, males pursued it or them relentlessly.
And when they arch your backbone
When the beautiful boys impress or control you, it is scary or uncomfortable.
It's such a dreadful sight
When you're caught in the grip of someone or something, it's terrifying and concerning.
I'll react when faces find you
When I notice people paying attention to or chasing after you, I'll respond or react.
With jealous fits that gag and bind you
I'll act out of jealousy and try to limit or control you.
Cause nothing hurts like nothing at all
Ignoring something or someone can be more painful than any other form of hurt.
When imagination takes full control
When we let our minds run wild with thoughts or possibilities, reality can become distorted or overwhelming.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BENJAMIN GIBBARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lydias2447
I saw the scene unfold on a rainy Sunday
Creases indicating fold that kept four walls from caving in
I took a little more of what I take for granted
And filled my plate for fear that gears would turn
And wheels would roll away
Something's got to break you down
Entered the scene (i'm told) on I think it was Monday
You drove straight through and mined that quarry
For all it could bleed 'til dry
I took a little more 'til I got taken for granted
Cause beautiful boys gave chase
And when they arch your backbone
It's such a dreadful sight
I'll react when faces find you
With jealous fits that gag and bind you
Cause nothing hurts like nothing at all
When imagination takes full control
@lunafrankenstein2566
They should play this at every show. 💙
@michaelcook2008
In 1998 I was listening to this song on a sampler from some magazine on my way to see Sarah and I wish I could find her again
@newtonknight4586
I'm addicted in this song since 2010. Congrats 🇧🇷
@lydias2447
I saw the scene unfold on a rainy Sunday
Creases indicating fold that kept four walls from caving in
I took a little more of what I take for granted
And filled my plate for fear that gears would turn
And wheels would roll away
Something's got to break you down
Entered the scene (i'm told) on I think it was Monday
You drove straight through and mined that quarry
For all it could bleed 'til dry
I took a little more 'til I got taken for granted
Cause beautiful boys gave chase
And when they arch your backbone
It's such a dreadful sight
I'll react when faces find you
With jealous fits that gag and bind you
Cause nothing hurts like nothing at all
When imagination takes full control
@cranberrycanvas
"oh i think it twas monday" fucking ben. nothing short of incredible
@nitendler
"That's not funny Plissken"
@liddlmrc
noticed the greatness here.
@angelurbina8158
I'm conflicted as to I don't know if I like this or the version found in "You Can Play These Songs with Chords" better. Great song, nonetheless.
@CharismaStrategies
Songs With Chords version is better.
@manuellopezrivera7041
Such a nice song.