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'
Ghost in Summer Clothes
Department of Eagles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a ghost dressed in summer clothes
Take your time down that tender road
When you go across the lane
You (??)
Like a boat left out in the Seine
Without a name, all alone
Won't you be on your own, on your own?
Without a name, all alone
The lyrics to Department of Eagles's song Ghost in Summer Clothes are a reflection on the fleeting nature of life, the transience of human beings and their insignificant role in a vast universe. The opening lines, "Headin' for the sun in your quiet way/Like a ghost dressed in summer clothes" suggests a journey towards the end of life, with the sun symbolizing enlightenment or perhaps the afterlife. The use of the metaphor "ghost dressed in summer clothes" highlights the ephemeral nature of life. Ghosts are usually associated with death or the afterlife, while summer clothes evoke a carefree and happy time. This contrast suggests that death may be inevitable, but life is precious and should be enjoyed in the present.
The second stanza suggests a departure from this world, with the singer crossing over to the other side. The line "You (??)" is muffled, as if the singer's voice is fading away. The image of a boat left out in the Seine represents a certain sadness, as if the singer is leaving behind all that is familiar to them. The repetition of the lines "Won't you be on your own, on your own?" and "Without a name, all alone" emphasizes the loneliness and isolation of death, but also the acceptance of it as a natural part of life's journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Headin' for the sun in your quiet way
Moving towards happiness in your own calm and subtle manner
Like a ghost dressed in summer clothes
Appearing to be present and happy on the outside, but feeling empty and haunted on the inside
Take your time down that tender road
Taking a slow and delicate approach towards finding happiness
When you go across the lane
When you cross over to a different path towards happiness
You (??)
You feel lost and unsure of what's ahead
Like a boat left out in the Seine
Abandoned and alone like a boat floating aimlessly in the river
Won't you be on your own, on your own?
Do you want to be alone, isolated from others?
Without a name, all alone
Feeling nameless and unrecognized, with no one to connect or identify with
Contributed by Aria I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.