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."
We Looked Like Giants
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remembering when you were mine in a still suburban town
When every Thursday, I'd brave those mountain passes
And you'd skip your early classes and we'd learn how our bodies worked
God damn the black night, with all its foul temptations
I've become what I always hated when I was with you then
We looked like giants in the back of my grey subcompact
Fumbling to make contact as the others slept inside
And together there in a shroud of frost, the mountain air
Began to pass through every pane of weathered glass
And I held you closer than anyone would ever get
Do you remember the J-A-M-C and reading aloud from magazines
I don't know about you but I swear on my name they could smell it on me
I've never been to good with secrets, no
Oh, together there in a shroud of frost, the mountain air
Began to pass through every pane of weathered glass
And I held you closer
We Looked Like Giants is a song by Death Cab for Cutie that tells the story of a couple's past relationship. The opening lyrics express a longing for the past, wishing for the return of a time when everything was brighter and sweeter. The reference to springtime suggests a sense of renewal and growth, while "when you were mine" indicates the loss and regret that comes with a breakup. The setting of a "still suburban town" suggests a place where time seems to stand still, which may have contributed to the couple's eventual breakup.
The second verse describes a routine that the couple once had, where they would meet up every Thursday regardless of the obstacles in their way. The line "we'd learn how our bodies worked" suggests a playful exploration of each other, which may be seen as a metaphor for the intimacy that they shared. The chorus of the song contrasts the imagery of their past relationship as giants, appearing larger than life in the back of a car, with the reality of their situation - fumbling to make contact in the darkness while others were sleeping.
The final verse recalls a specific experience of the couple listening to music and reading magazines together, but with a sense of melancholy as the lyrics reveal that the singer has a secret that they cannot keep from their partner. The song ends with a repeated chorus, emphasizing the memory of the couple's past and the power of their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
God bless the daylight, the sugary smell of springtime
Expressing appreciation for the beauty of a new day in springtime.
Remembering when you were mine in a still suburban town
Reflecting on a past relationship in a quiet, unchanging community.
When every Thursday, I'd brave those mountain passes
Recalling a regular routine of traveling challenging terrain to meet a loved one.
And you'd skip your early classes and we'd learn how our bodies worked
Sharing intimate moments and exploring each other's physicality, even if it meant missing obligations.
God damn the black night, with all its foul temptations
Expressing frustration with the darkness and its negative influences.
I've become what I always hated when I was with you then
Noting a change in behavior or attitude due to the influence of a past partner.
We looked like giants in the back of my grey subcompact
Feeling powerful and significant despite being cramped in a small car.
Fumbling to make contact as the others slept inside
Trying to connect physically while keeping quiet to avoid disturbing others.
And together there in a shroud of frost, the mountain air
Sharing a moment of intimacy in a cold, natural environment.
Began to pass through every pane of weathered glass
Feeling surrounded by the elements and fully immersed in the present moment.
And I held you closer than anyone would ever get
Holding onto a loved one with a strong affection and bond.
Do you remember the J-A-M-C and reading aloud from magazines
Recalling a shared interest in music and reading together out loud.
I don't know about you but I swear on my name they could smell it on me
Admitting to having a noticeable physical response to a certain experience.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benjamin D Gibbard, Christopher Ryan Walla, Jason Patrick McGerr, Nicholas Scott Harmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anna Girasole
God bless the daylight, the sugary smell of springtime
Remembering when you were mine in a still suburban town
When every Thursday, I'd brave those mountain passes
And you'd skip your early classes and we'd learn how our bodies worked
God damn the black night, with all its foul temptations
I've become what I always hated when I was with you then
We looked like giants in the back of my grey subcompact
Fumbling to make contact as the others slept inside
And together there in a shroud of frost, the mountain air
Began to pass through every pane of weathered glass
And I held you closer than anyone would ever get
Remember the J.A.M.C. and reading aloud from magazines
I don't know about you but I swear on my name they could smell it on me
But I've never been to good with secrets, oh
Oh together there in a shroud of frost, the mountain air
Began to pass through every pane of weathered glass
And I held you closer
Anonymous
Lyrics –
God bless the daylight
The sugary smell of springtime
Remembering when you were mine
In a still suburban town
When every Thursday
I'd brave those mountain passes
And you'd skip your early classes
And we'd learn how our bodies worked
God damn the black night
With all its foul temptations
I've become what I always hated
When I was with you then
We looked like giants
In the back of my gray subcompact
Fumbling to make contact
As the others slept inside
And together there
In a shroud of frost
The mountain air
Began to pass
Through every pane of weathered glass
And I held you closer than anyone would ever guess
Do you remember the J.A.M.C.
And reading aloud from magazines?
I don't know about you, but I swear on my name they could smell it on me
But I've never been too good with secrets... ohh...
Oh, together there
In a shroud of frost
The mountain air
Began to pass
Through every pane of weathered glass
And I held you closer...
David Moreno
Lyrics
God bless the daylight, the sugary smell of springtime
Remembering when you were mine
In a still suburban town
When every thursday I'd brave those mountain passes
And you'd skip your early classes
And we'd learn how our bodies worked.
God damn the black night with all it's foul temptation
I become what I always hated
When I was with you then
We looked like giants in the back of my grey subcompact
Fumbling to make contact
As the others slept inside
And together there
In a shroud of frost, the mountain air
Began to pass from every pane of weathered glass
And I held you closer than anyone would ever get
Do you remember the JAMC?
And reading aloud from magazines
I don't know about you but I swear on my name they could smell it on me
I've never been too good with secrets.
No...
And together there
In a shroud of frost and mountain air
Began to pass through every pane of weathered glass
And I held you closer...
Madddnness
11 years ago I would listen to this album every day.. Dcfc's music got me through bad times. Transatlanticism is not only a masterpiece, it's a blessing.
Noland
This Album is indeed a Masterpeice.
Snowboarding to this song was my favorite thing ever on powder days after hearing it in a snowboard video "Lost in Transition" 14 years ago.
Dave lee Garner
Madd Ness did you recognize the JAMC reference
C L
Amen 🙏🏼
Silver Bat
Halfway saved my life, halfway makes me heartbroken all over again every single time.
matt jones
this song i always liked back in the day. Now, at 32, it evokes emotions and memories of lost loves and memories...Nostaligic pain.
Antti The Internet Guy
I know man. I used to know one red head country girl Back in 2013. I was a shy 19 years old guy, quite naiive. I had had My first heart break And i was totally broken. She invited me to her parents cabin And i ended up spening My whole Summer with her. She made me come out of My shell. We have seen each other once after that Summer but we Have grown into different directions. Anyways, she made me appreciate The real emotions. Soon im turning 30
Kikyo-sama
Same here
c'est la vegan
I've always felt that the atmospheric bridge is what really makes this track so wonderful
Jared Plantulli
This comment is 6 years old, but just came home from seeing the 20 year anniversary tour of this album. I was more of a Plans guy because that’s when I got into them heavily. This show tonight made me obsessed, and I listened to the bridge on repeat on the way home. It’s just so heavenly.