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."
The Sound Of Settling
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twisting my stomach into knots
That my tongue is tied off
My brain's repeating "If you've got an impulse, let it out"
But they never make it past my mouth
Bop bah, this is the sound of settling
Bop bah, bop bah
Bop bah, bop bah
Our youth is fleeting
Old age is just around the bend
And I can't wait to go grey
And I'll sit and wonder of every love that could have been
If I'd only thought of something charming to say
Bop bah, this is the sound of settling
Bop bah, bop bah
Bop bah, this is the sound of settling
Bop bah, bop bah
Bop bah, this is the sound of settling
Bop bah, bop bah
Bop bah, this is the sound of settling
Bop bah, bop bah
I've got a hunger
Twisting my stomach into knots
The lyrics of Death Cab for Cutie's song The Sound of Settling convey a sense of restlessness and longing for something greater. The opening lines suggest a deep hunger that is not necessarily related to food, but rather a desire for something more. This hunger is causing physical discomfort and even pain, making the singer feel as though their tongue is tied and preventing them from speaking up or letting out their impulses.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "This is the sound of settling," seems to be a commentary on the singer's own choices and perhaps a larger societal trend towards complacency and contentment with mediocrity. The use of a catchy, upbeat melody for this line highlights the irony of the situation - settling isn't necessarily exciting or fulfilling, but it can be tempting to choose the familiar over the unknown.
The second verse expands on the theme of time passing quickly and the regret that can come with missed opportunities. The reference to youth and old age highlights the fleeting nature of life and the recognition that eventually, we all become old and gray. The line "If I'd only thought of something charming to say" hints at the idea that sometimes opportunities are missed not because of external circumstances, but because of our own anxiety or indecision.
Overall, The Sound of Settling is a commentary on the human tendency to stay within our comfort zones and settle for less than we truly desire. Through a catchy melody and thought-provoking lyrics, Death Cab for Cutie has created a song that invites listeners to reflect on their own choices and consider whether settling is truly worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a hunger
I have a deep craving or desire
Twisting my stomach into knots
This desire is causing me physical discomfort and anxiety
That my tongue is tied off
I am unable to express this desire
My brain's repeating 'If you've got an impulse, let it out'
My mind is urging me to act on my desire
But they never make it past my mouth
However, I am unable to vocalize my desires and they remain unspoken
Bop bah, this is the sound of settling
This phrase represents the acceptance of a mundane, average lifestyle in lieu of pursuing one's desires
Our youth is fleeting
Time passes quickly, and we grow old before we know it
Old age is just around the bend
As we grow older, our opportunities to pursue our desires shrink
And I can't wait to go grey
I look forward to getting old
And I'll sit and wonder of every love that could have been
I will regret not pursuing certain romantic opportunities
If I'd only thought of something charming to say
If I had been more suave, I may have been able to pursue romantic opportunities
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Benjamin Gibbard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jurgenkulup5882
I've got a hunger twisting my stomach into knots; that my tongue is tied off
My brain's repeating if you've got an impulse, let it out!
But they never make it past my mouth
This is the sound of settling
This is the sound of settling
Our youth is fleeting, old age is just around the bend and I can't wait to go gray
And I'll sit and wonder of every love that could have been
If I'd only thought of something charming to say
This is the sound of settling
This is the sound of settling
I've got a hunger twisting my stomach into knots
@Fernandogenius7.
Lyrics
I've got a hunger, twisting my stomach into knots
That my tongue is tied off
My brain's repeating,
"If you've got an impulse, let it out"
But they never make it past my mouth
Bop-ba (bop-ba)
This is the sound of settling
Bop-ba, bop-ba (bop-ba)
Bop-ba (bop-ba)
This is the sound of settling
Bop-ba, bop-ba (bop-ba-a)
Our youth is fleeting
Old age is just around the bend
And I can't wait to go gray
And I'll sit and wonder
Of every love that could have been
If I'd only thought of something charming to say
Bop-ba (bop-ba)
This is the sound of settling
Bop-ba, bop-ba (bop-ba)
Bop-ba (bop-ba)
This is the sound of settling
Bop-ba, bop-ba (bop-ba)
Bop-ba (bop-ba)
This is the sound of settling
Bop-ba, bop-ba (bop-ba)
Bop-ba (bop-ba)
This is the sound of settling
Bop-ba, bop-ba (bop-ba)
I've got a hunger, twisting my stomach into knots
@Blade2xtremeFTW
"And i'll sit and wonder of every love that could've been If i'd only thought of something charming to say." Story of my life
@tinamcqueen8734
Ditto
@casaundramegan
I feel bad for guys, us ladies can be a tough crowd (vice versa too but guys have more pressure) - but if she really feels ya she wont mind mistakes and will have patience, we call it hope ✌ 10yrs later hopefully you found a charming one lol
@TheSpokenBanana
After feeling like I screwed up a date recently, this song hits hard. Not all hope is lost, but damn that date made me realize how awkward I am. Here's hoping she'll be up to give me another chance. Wish me luck, fellas.
Edit: unfortunately, doesn't look like she's up to give me another chance. Which I was kinda expecting. Maybe one day I'll find someone, but today wasn't that day. Sucks.
@drpeppercowboy
i’ve got the biggest crush on this guy in one of my classes but i have no idea how to talk to him. i just wish i’d think of something charming to say
@dylancooper8536
Anyone here during the Pandemic? Need some nostalgia from a decade that didn't suck as bad.
@margauxlao2508
meee :)
@kobiyorke9897
Dude I’m here in 2021
@mcortezwriter
along with "tiny vessels," this song does a bang up job of capturing the queasy self disgust that comes not just from knowing that you're lying to another about how you feel, but to yourself about what you want and don't want. i suppose that's a common enough thing--especially when you're young and haven't fucked up enough to know better--but gibbard's ability to render the familiar ickiness of emotional self-betrayal is both awesome and disturbing.
@anniepeace8704
+Marisol Cortez Definitely. But it's also kind of happy, right? Maybe perfection does not exist, or only exists in fleeting moments. Maybe allowing imperfection, settling, is necessary to lasting connection.