Deerhoof is an American independent music group formed in San Francisco in … Read Full Bio ↴Deerhoof is an American independent music group formed in San Francisco in 1994. While it began as an improvisational bass/harmonica solo project of Rob Fisk (subsequently in 7 Year Rabbit Cycle, Common Eider, King Eider), it currently consists of founding drummer Greg Saunier, bassist and singer Satomi Matsuzaki, and guitarists John Dieterich and Ed Rodriguez. Initially performing improvised noise punk, Deerhoof became widely renowned and influential in the 2000s through self-produced creative output combining "noise, sugary [pop] melodies, and an experimental spirit into utterly distinctive music". They have released a dozen or more studio albums since 1997; their album "Mountain Moves" was released in September 2017.

Pitchfork labeled Deerhoof as "the best band in the world.” The New York Times described them as “one of the most original rock bands to have come along in the last decade.” From their humble beginnings as an obscure San Francisco noise act, they've become one of indie music's most influential bands with their ecstatic and unruly take on pop.

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Whither The Invisible Birds?
Deerhoof Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How can I find you?
Not again, not again
Not again, once again
How can I find you?

It's a trap
It's a vicious trap
It's a trap

It's a vicious trap
It's a map
It's a useless map

Someone, somewhere far away

Someone, somewhere far away
Someone, somewhere

Overall Meaning

The opening verse of Deerhoof's song Whither The Invisible Birds? sets a bleak tone by implying a sense of hopelessness and desperation. Through the repeated line, "How can I find you?" the singer suggests a lost connection that he or she is trying to regain but is having a difficult time doing so. The use of repetition in the subsequent lines "Not again, not again/ Not again, once again" reinforces a similar sense of helpless repetition, indicating the singer isn't sure how to move forward to find this lost connection.

As the song continues, the lyrics persistently reference traps and maps. The use of the word "trap" indicates that whatever the singer is trying to find or whoever they are trying to connect with isn't particularly easy to track down. "It's a map, it's a useless map" furthers this notion, suggesting that even with directions, the endgame remains elusive. Throughout the lyrics, there is a sense of frustration and futility that accompanies the search, along with a running undercurrent of longing and disconnection.

Line by Line Meaning

How can I find you?
I am searching for you, how can I locate you?

Not again, not again
This is a recurring problem or situation.

Not again, once again
Despite hoping to avoid this circumstance, it has happened again.

How can I find you?
Still looking for you and wondering how to do so.

It's a trap
This is a deception intended to harm me.

It's a vicious trap
This trap is cruel and dangerous.

It's a trap
Again, this situation is designed to trick me.

It's a vicious trap
As previously mentioned, this trap is cruel and harmful.

It's a map
Perhaps a guide to fix the situation or escape the trap.

It's a useless map
Unfortunately, the map is of no use and cannot aid in any way.

Someone, somewhere far away
A person I am not near, possibly unreachable or unattainable.