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."
Rockin' Chair
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you raise the sails anymore
It's for sure
That I spent my whole life at sea
And I'm pushin' age 73
And there's only one place that was meant for me
Oh to be home again
With my very best friend
They call him Ragtime Billy
We're gonna sooth away the rest of our years
We're gonna put away all of our tears
That big rockin' chair won't go nowhere
Slow down Willy Boy
Your hearts gonna give right out on you
It's true
And I believe I know what I should do
Turn the stern and point to shore
The seven seas won't carry us no more
Oh to be home again
Down in old Virginny
With my very best friend
They call him Ragtime Billy
I can't wait to sniff that air
Dip and snuff I won't have no care
That big rockin' chair won't go nowhere
Hear the sound Willy Boy
The Flyin' Dutchman's on the reef
It's my belief
That we've used up all of our time
And the surf's to steep to climb
And the days that we made are worth the time
Oh to be home again
Down in old Virginny
With my very best friend
They call him Ragtime Billy
Would have been nice just to see the folks
Missing once again to the stale jokes
That big rockin' chair won't go nowhere
Oh to be home again
Oh to be home again
Oh to be home again
Oh to be home again
The lyrics of Death Cab for Cutie's "Rockin' Chair" is a poignant reflection on the inevitable struggles of life and the enduring power of friendship. The song is sung from the perspective of an old seafarer who's had his fill of adventure and wishes to return home to Virginia to spend his remaining years with his best friend, Ragtime Billy. The singer appears to have been at sea for most of his life and has reached an age where the risks and hardship of seafaring are too much to bear. He advises Willy Boy, his shipmate, to slow down before his heart gives out and muses that he's spent his whole life at sea, but only one place is meant for him.
The singer desires the comfort and familiarity of his hometown and the warmth of friendship. He talks about how he and Ragtime Billy will soothe away the remaining years of their lives and put away all their tears in that big rockin' chair that will never go anywhere. The singer appears to have come to terms with his mortality and is looking for a peaceful ending to his adventurous and eventful life. The simple and repetitive melody of the song reinforces the message of the lyrics and creates a mood of wistfulness and nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang around Willy Boy
Addressing Willy Boy, the singer begins talking about his life as a sailor.
Don't you raise the sails anymore
The singer says that he is no longer interested in sailing.
It's for sure
The singer believes what he is saying is true.
That I spent my whole life at sea
The artist has lived his entire life as a sailor.
And I'm pushin' age 73
The artist is 73 years old.
And there's only one place that was meant for me
The singer is saying that his true home is on land, and he wants to go back there.
Oh to be home again
The singer is expressing his desire to go home.
Down in old Virginny
The artist is talking about going back to Virginia, his home state.
With my very best friend
The artist is talking about his friend, Ragtime Billy.
They call him Ragtime Billy
The artist is providing a nickname for his friend, Ragtime Billy.
We're gonna sooth away the rest of our years
The singer is planning to spend the rest of his life without any worries or troubles.
We're gonna put away all of our tears
The artist is saying that he and his friend will no longer cry or be sad.
That big rockin' chair won't go nowhere
The singer is expressing his desire to stay in one place and relax in his rocking chair, without moving anywhere.
Slow down Willy Boy
The singer is telling Willy Boy to slow down, to not be in such a hurry.
Your hearts gonna give right out on you
The singer is saying that Willy Boy might have a heart attack or some other serious health issue if he doesn't slow down.
It's true
The artist is emphasizing that what he is saying is true.
And I believe I know what I should do
The artist thinks he knows what he should do, which is to go back home and relax.
Turn the stern and point to shore
The singer is saying that they need to steer the boat towards shore and land.
The seven seas won't carry us no more
The singer is saying that he's done with sailing and doesn't want to do it anymore.
Hear the sound Willy Boy
The artist is asking Willy Boy to listen to something.
The Flyin' Dutchman's on the reef
The artist is referring to a ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman, which is said to be cursed and fated to sail forever.
It's my belief
The artist believes what he is saying is true.
That we've used up all of our time
The singer is saying that they've lived their lives and it's time to slow down and enjoy the rest of it.
And the surf's to steep to climb
The artist is saying that the waves are too rough to navigate and they should avoid them.
And the days that we made are worth the time
The singer is saying that the memories they've made during their lives are valuable and worth preserving.
Would have been nice just to see the folks
The singer wishes he could see his family and friends again.
Missing once again to the stale jokes
The singer is referring to old, familiar jokes that he misses hearing again.
Oh to be home again
The artist repeats his desire to go home and live out the rest of his life there.
Oh to be home again
The artist repeats his desire to go home and live out the rest of his life there.
Oh to be home again
The singer repeats his desire to go home and live out the rest of his life there.
Oh to be home again
The singer repeats his desire to go home and live out the rest of his life there.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBBIE ROBERTSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank
on I Will Follow You Into The Dark
This song sucks