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'
Sailing By Night
Department of Eagles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clean up the kitchen
Please, remind the kids
and need my permission
Picture me
Glistening, overseas
nnnh, nnnhhh, nhhh
I missed weekend shore
the time is summer
my truest amor
left for your shiva
picture me
glistening, overseas
nnnhhh, nnh, nhh
In Department of Eagles’ Sailing By Night, there is a sense of yearning for something more, a desire to escape mundane routines and responsibilities. The singer is leaving on a whim, without any clear plan, and requests that their family take care of some housekeeping in their absence. The lyrics imply that there may be some tension or disconnect between the singer and their loved ones, as they need to remind the kids of something and seek permission to leave. However, this is not the focus of the song, as the singer quickly moves on to imagine themselves in a different space entirely. They picture themselves “glistening, overseas”, perhaps imagining a luxurious getaway or a more exciting life abroad. There is a sense of longing and wistfulness in this image, but also a sense of hope and possibility.
Line by Line Meaning
I left on a whim
I departed impulsively without planning
Clean up the kitchen
Tidy up the kitchen
Please, remind the kids
Kindly prompt the children
and need my permission
Require my approval
Picture me
Imagine me
Glistening, overseas
Sparkling and shimmering in a foreign land
nnnh, nnnhhh, nhhh
Implies indiscernible sound or humming
I missed weekend shore
I didn't make it to the beach on the weekend
the time is summer
It's currently summertime
my truest amor
My most genuine love
left for your shiva
Passed away and went to your funeral
nnnhhh, nnh, nhh
Implies indiscernible sound or humming
Contributed by Austin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tanaka - KFP Workers Union
I don't understand what people are complaining about. I guess it's a bit similar to Radiohead but are you implying that Radiohead pioneered this sound? And who cares what it's similar to as long as it's good music?
Y.B. Cause
That's right, + some bits of this song are just NOT Radiohead-y (like the ending)
Niksg
This is one of my all-time favourite songs.
Juliana Lykins
The things I see as this song plays bring me to such a beautiful place.
waylondstrobehn
I truly love this song. great for highway drives alone, the kind of drive where you really test how loud your speakers will go.
6 months ago
I hear way more Dan Rossen in this than Radiohead, this could of been on the Grizzly Bear 'Friend' album
ImthereImhere
Crazy this album is what? 11 years old? Where did that time go, seems only like a year ago I was listening to this for the first time. Weird. Regardless, such a chill awesome track and the fact they sampled YMO at the end.. incredible aha.
Nudos Madel
C. V. Bbmhv
Heather Williams
i listen to this over my friends house and i just cant get enough of it. its so clever yet so mooving and ahhhhhh i think im in love.! the album is just art!
NorthWriter
I just discovered this band about 5 minutes ago. "On Glaze" got me interested, and "Sailing By Night" got me hooked. :D I love falling in love with a new band!