They added the 1979 suffix to the name following a legal dispute with New York City dance-punk label Death From Above (known as DFA Records since the September 11, 2001 attacks). "Death from above" was written on a helicopter in the movie Apocalypse Now, which was copyrighted in 1979. However, Grainger says this is simply a coincidence; 1979 was chosen as it was, amongst other reasons, "the year I was born."
Death from Above 1979 had planned on recording the follow up to its debut full-length You're A Woman, I'm A Machine. There were plans to release it in three versions: the traditional bass/drums lineup, a full-band lineup with musicians assembled by Grainger, and a remix album. The albums featuring a full band and remixes were supposedly to be released on the band's official website.
In 2005 the video for "Romantic Rights" won a VideoFACT award at the MuchMusic Video Music Awards.
On August 4, 2006, the band announced they had decided to split "almost a year ago" due to the strained relationship between the two - claiming they only talked during interviews and just before shows - not to mention the fact that they had achieved all their aims after the record went gold in their native Canada.
Keeler was slated to play bass on the Queens Of The Stone Age album Era Vulgaris, but later revealed on the Death From Above 1979 message board that he could not due to scheduling conflicts. Keeler is now one half of MSTRKRFT, his new project with producer Al-P.
Sebastien Grainger is now in his own side project band Sebastien Grainger & the Mountains
In 2011 it was announced that the band were reuniting to perform at Coachella, then the band announced that they were planning to reunite on an ongoing basis.
Love Letter
Death from Above 1979 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me count the ways
But it's not quite right
I can't see the light
When you're outta sight
So I try to write
Love letter sealed without a kiss
Love letters never write themselves
So take this with a kiss
Write it on the back
Of an old match pack
From a little place we used to like
On the lower east side
But it's still not right
So I put the pencil down
Hands upon the keys
See what just comes out naturally
Can't hide it in a book
Shoebox under the bed
So if I sing it right, you'll never lose this
Love letter sealed without a kiss
You're the one that I miss
Love letters never write themselves
So take this with a kiss
How I'd love to say
Let me count the ways
But it's not quite right
I can't see the light
When you're outta sight
So I start to write
Love letter sealed without a kiss
You're the one that I miss
Love letters never write themselves
So take this with a kiss
The lyrics to "Love Letter" by Death from Above 1979 portray a longing for someone who is not physically present. The singer is expressing their deep affection for this person and their desire to convey their feelings through a love letter. The line "How I'd love to say, Let me count the ways" alludes to the singer's desire to express their love in various ways, but they struggle to find the right words or method. They feel that without the recipient being present, they are unable to see the light or truly capture their emotions.
The singer attempts to write the love letter but finds it challenging to articulate their feelings. They mention writing it on the back of an old match pack from a special place they used to frequent, possibly symbolizing the nostalgia and sentimentality attached to their relationship. However, even this is not enough to convey their emotions accurately. They put the pencil down and instead turn to music, using their hands on the keys to see what naturally flows out. The idea of hiding the love letter in a book or shoebox under the bed suggests the need to preserve and cherish this expression of love.
Overall, "Love Letter" reflects the frustration and yearning of being separated from a loved one and the struggle to convey heartfelt emotions in a letter when physical presence is missing.
Line by Line Meaning
How I'd love to say
I wish I could express my feelings to you
Let me count the ways
There are numerous reasons why I love you
But it's not quite right
I struggle to find the perfect words
I can't see the light
I feel lost without you
When you're outta sight
Your absence affects me deeply
So I try to write
I attempt to convey my emotions through writing
Love letter sealed without a kiss
This letter expresses my love but lacks physical affection
You're the one that I miss
I long for your presence
Love letters never write themselves
I have to make an effort to express my love
So take this with a kiss
Accept this letter with my virtual kiss
Write it on the back
I write my feelings on the reverse side
Of an old match pack
Using a worn-out matchbox as my canvas
From a little place we used to like
A location that holds shared memories
On the lower east side
In a specific neighborhood we frequented
But it's still not right
Yet, it doesn't fully capture my emotions
So I put the pencil down
I stop using a pencil to write
Hands upon the keys
I switch to typing on a keyboard
See what just comes out naturally
Letting my thoughts flow spontaneously
Can't hide it in a book
I can't keep these feelings hidden
Shoebox under the bed
Hiding them in a shoebox beneath my mattress
So if I sing it right, you'll never lose this
If I express my feelings accurately, you'll always remember
Love letter sealed without a kiss
This letter expresses my love but lacks physical affection
You're the one that I miss
I long for your presence
Love letters never write themselves
I have to make an effort to express my love
So take this with a kiss
Accept this letter with my virtual kiss
How I'd love to say
I wish I could express my feelings to you
Let me count the ways
There are numerous reasons why I love you
But it's not quite right
I struggle to find the perfect words
I can't see the light
I feel lost without you
When you're outta sight
Your absence affects me deeply
So I start to write
I begin writing to express myself
Love letter sealed without a kiss
This letter expresses my love but lacks physical affection
You're the one that I miss
I long for your presence
Love letters never write themselves
I have to make an effort to express my love
So take this with a kiss
Accept this letter with my virtual kiss
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jesse Frederick Keeler, Sebastien Alexandre Grainger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind