In 2004, the group graduated from college and moved into an apartment in Brooklyn with an aggressive, hirsute landlord named Baki. Shortly thereafter, Daniel joined the group Grizzly Bear and began playing guitar and singing with them (he went on to write a goodly portion of their sophomore album, Yellow House). Fred tried to escape his boring magazine job by going on tour opening up for the band Subtle, but the tour was cancelled when Subtle's bus crashed, tragically injuring keyboardist Dax Pierson. DOE was on something of a hiatus. Then in 2005, a British label re-released their debut album in Europe under a different title, and the group began working on new material. This time around, the music featured little-to-no electronic embellishments and was inspired by Randy Newman, Van Dyke Parks, Paul Williams, and Paul McCartney. On October 7, 2008 they released their follow-up, In Ear Park, on 4AD.
Daniel plays guitar, bass, piano, drums, cello, and sings. He majored in Linguistics. His grandfather, Robert Rossen, directed the critically acclaimed movies All the Kings Men and The Hustler. Fred plays drums and various random instruments. He majored in Art History. His father, Martin Nicolaus, wrote the definitive translation of Karl Marx's Gundrisse.
www.departmentofeagles.com
Department of Eagles went on to join Grizzly Bear with their recording of 2009 LP 'Veckatimist'
Balmy Night
Department of Eagles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This balmy night's too long
My broken record
It's always on
My yellow light's too low
My broken record
Never to run
But if he's comin' after me,
I'm all ready gone
Out through the washroom,
Through my backyard
The lyrics of Department of Eagles' song Balmy Night are rich and full of deep meaning. The opening lines, "By yellow light, this balmy night's too long," suggests a sense of restlessness and ennui which is further emphasized by the line "My broken record, it's always on." Here, the singer may be referring to the repetitive and unfulfilling nature of their existence, with the "broken record" serving as a metaphor for the monotony and dullness of their life.
The subsequent lines "My yellow light's too low, my broken record" continue this theme of weariness and frustration. The "yellow light" could be understood as a metaphor for the singer's energy or enthusiasm, which has dwindled to a low level. Similarly, the "broken record" could be seen as a metaphor for their daily routine or the way they approach life, which has become stale and unfulfilling.
The final lines of the song, "My father told me never to run, but if he's comin' after me, I'm all ready gone / Out through the washroom, through my backyard" add a layer of complexity to the song's interpretation. Here, the singer seems to be reflecting on their relationship with their father and the advice they have received from him. Despite being told not to run, the singer has already mentally checked out and is prepared to escape from their current situation, even if it means leaving behind the people they love.
Line by Line Meaning
By yellow light,
As the yellow light illuminates the surroundings at night,
This balmy night's too long
This warm summer night seems to be never-ending,
My broken record,
My mind keeps playing the same thought over and over again like a broken record,
It's always on
This repetitive thought never leaves my mind,
My yellow light's too low
The light that guides me is dim and barely visible,
My broken record
My mind continues to repeat the same thought pattern,
My father told me
My dad advised me as a child,
Never to run
To avoid running away from problems or responsibilities,
But if he's comin' after me,
However, if my father is chasing me down for something I did wrong,
I'm all ready gone
I am already prepared to flee and escape,
Out through the washroom,
I exit through the bathroom window,
Through my backyard
And make my way out of the house through the backyard.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DANIEL ROSSEN, Fred Hurley Nicolaus, Daniel Raphael Rossen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rekajablonkay2998
By yellow light
This balmy night's too long
My broken record
Is always on
My yellow light's too low
My broken record
My father told me
Never to run
But if he's comin' after me
I'm already gone
Out through the washroom
Through my backyard
@worstie
i keep returning to this song to see i've already liked all the comments and then i fogret and then i return and then i forget and return endlessly. this song is unforgettable, but does not stick well in memory - it is always better listened than simply recalled
@Klaxon101
This song makes me long for moments I was happy to be living.
@funnyjoke3910
Hey man, if you're still using this account, are you doing better nowadays?
@TitaniumTrumpetier
Genius. Daniel is a genius.
@mitsukosuki
i can die by this song, it's so beautiful.. but at the same time I want to live to hear such masterpieces..
@shape9381
All of his music sounds exactly like that picture.. a warm, calmed summer's night
@zenscape87
This song reminds me of this episode of Louie where he goes
to see his dad after not seeing him for years for unknown reasons, but when he gets to the door of his house, he can't do it and runs away, all the way through boston to a boat where he finally sits in the middle of the harbor, silently. It's one the more quietly intense and refreshingly honest moments in the show
@peninsular6543
Makes me go back with the old black cherry pie!! Wish you the best with this songs i remember you. and the times we spend toghether
@shawniemar
I'm melting! This song is my favorite!
@malcolminthemiddl
I'm ashamed disgusted disillusioned forlorn annoyed disheartened disappointed above all I feel passed over ...having only just found these guys how could I have not known of them before how ? fool that I am