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."
Scientist Studies
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's got to be a simpler explanation,
Cause I scrimped and I saved
Just to find that they've been splicing my inventions.
Cold skin and bones and this latitude;
We ain't paying until the heat comes through.
So you slept in a stocking cap and wool scarf and the
Promises of payments were
Upon your shoulders constantly,
But don't foget to entertain
Cause this is your first defense.
Four-year offense to the devoted type.
I may have got an invitation, but I wasn't invited.
But I thought that this meant
Something more than broken hearts and new addictions.
We'll leave our sins within the carpet twine.
Our bodies will dissolve the chemicals in due time.
Promises of payments were
Upon your shoulders constantly,
But don't forget to entertain
Cause this is your first defense.
This is your first defense.
This is a first defense.
This was a first defense.
This is my last defense.
The lyrics of "Scientist Studies" by Death Cab for Cutie indicate a sense of confusion, perhaps even a sense of disillusionment. The opening lines convey a feeling of mystery and confusion, as if someone is attempting to understand the secrets that reside behind the walls. The singer is trying to find an explanation but all that he discovers is that his work has been stolen. The next few lines describe the coldness of the environment and the struggle to survive in it without sufficient heat.
The song then switches to a narrative about a party, possibly a gathering of artists and intellectuals. The singer seems to be somewhat reluctant and confused about their place in this social milieu. The final lines indicate a sense of desperation and resignation: "This is my last defense." Whether this is an expression of hopelessness or a statement of determination is unclear. However, the sense of uncertainty and confusion seems to suggest the former.
In conclusion, "Scientist Studies" is a song that captures feelings of confusion and disillusionment. It contains a sense of wonder and mystery as well as a sense of frustration at the world's complexity. The lyrics convey a sense of wanting to find clarity and meaning in a world that is enigmatic and often inscrutable.
Line by Line Meaning
What ghosts exist behind these attic walls?
Wondering what dark secrets and unseen entities might lurk within the hidden spaces of the house.
There's got to be a simpler explanation,
I refuse to accept the complex and frightening possibilities, there must be a more straightforward answer.
Cause I scrimped and I saved
I struggled and sacrificed to make my inventions and dreams a reality.
Just to find that they've been splicing my inventions.
To discover that someone has taken the credit for or altered my hard work and breakthroughs.
Cold skin and bones and this latitude;
Referencing dreary and lonely winter weather and emotions.
We ain't paying until the heat comes through.
We refuse to spend money until the situation improves or heats up.
So you slept in a stocking cap and wool scarf and the
You had to resort to bundling up in warm clothing to stay comfortable in the cold, likely due to poor insulation or finances.
Promises of payments were
Repeated commitments of financial compensation were made to me.
Upon your shoulders constantly,
I felt the burden of those promises weighing down on me constantly.
But don't forget to entertain
Despite everything, I was still expected to provide enjoyment or distraction for others.
Cause this is your first defense.
Entertaining or impressing others is a way to protect myself or boost my self-esteem.
Four-year offense to the devoted type.
This is a jab at the manipulative behavior of certain people, who prey on loyal and committed individuals over years.
I may have got an invitation, but I wasn't invited.
Even though I was included or welcomed to something, I still felt excluded or not truly wanted.
But I thought that this meant
I mistakenly believed that this acceptance or invite held more significance or promise.
Something more than broken hearts and new addictions.
I hoped for more than just pain and unhealthy attachments from this experience or relationship.
We'll leave our sins within the carpet twine.
We will try to suppress or hide our faults or misdeeds, but they will inevitably resurface in time.
Our bodies will dissolve the chemicals in due time.
Our physical selves will decay and break down eventually.
This is a first defense.
Similarly to earlier, defense mechanisms or distractions are used to protect oneself or present an image to the world.
This was a first defense.
This particular measure or approach may have been effective in the past, but it is no longer sufficient or sustainable.
This is my last defense.
Finally, this is the ultimate way I can protect myself or cope with the circumstances, as all other options have been exhausted or failed.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN GIBBARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Heavy Doctor
Words cant describe the way this song hits. That last half blows me away every time.
blurp
We'll leave our sins within the carpet twine, our bodies will dissolve the chemicals in due time... <3
Luke Murphy
Well, all the lyrics are beautiful gentlemen
Rosmer Chirino
If you are listening this song you are blessed.
Ae
I tried to detoxify some amanitas in Olympia for eating and i parboiled maybe one less times I should have before the pan fry. It was in this beautiful old home & I went outside & this song was the whole mood. I was so young. I love Olympia Washington! Saw Ben while I was getting back my wallet from King St. station once.
Aman
My secret jam
David McClaskey
What ghosts exist behind these attic walls?
Aditya Mishra
I may have got an Invitation
but I wasn't Invited....