He started working as Dntel, pronounced Din-tell, in 1994. A collection of tracks created between 1995-1997 (Early Works For Me If It Works For You) was released on the Phthalo label in 1999, followed by the release of an EP recorded in 1994 (Something Always Goes Wrong) in 2000. After contributing a song to Plug Research's Voices In My Lunchbox compilation he was invited to do a full length for the label, preceded by a 12" EP (Anywhere Anyone).
Dntel released his full-length album Life Is Full Of Possibilities in 2001. The LP featured vocal contributions by many artists, including Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard on the breakout track (This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan, which led to a single in 2002 and later, the formation of the band The Postal Service with Gibbard. With vocals buried in static, cut-up acoustic guitars and sampled symphonies struggling to find somewhere to settle, Life Is Full Of Possibilities reserved Dntel's spot as a pioneer of contemporary glitch, electro-pop, and indietronica.
Tamborello is currently working with The Postal Service and continuing his solo work, including remixes for various artists. As Dntel, he is releasing a compilation, Early Works For Me If It Works For You II, which will feature unfinished instrumental tracks from when he was working on Life Is Full Of Possibilities in 1998-2001, to be released on Phthalo. He released his newest full-length LP, titled "Dumb Luck" on April 24, 2007. "Dumb Luck" is his first LP on Sub Pop records.
Dumb Luck
Dntel Lyrics
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That it's dumb luck that got you here
Don't fool yourself
Misfortunes waiting for the best time to appear
To make it clear
That all the courage and the talent that you had
Was just in dreams
And when you wake up
To get it back
You interest your friends
They will betray you
With the love that's blinding
And then at the end they may admit
That you were missing something
And no one remembers even one word that left your mouth
All the melodies were stolen
From songs by someone else
You're out of time
And inspiration filled with self-pity and fear
And all the dreams that haven't dried up
Are slowly drowning in your tears
In your tears
Just don't forget
That it's dumb luck that got you here
Don't fool yourself
Misfortunes waiting for the best time to appear
To make it clear
That all the courage and the talent that you have
Was just in dreams
And when you wake up
You will beg to get it back
To get it back
The opening verse of Dntel's "Dumb Luck" is a reminder to the listener that their success is not entirely their own doing - luck has played a significant role in getting them where they are today. The singer warns against becoming too comfortable and self-assured because misfortune is always waiting for the best opportunity to strike. The next verse is a harsh reality check for artists who may become too enamored with themselves and their own talent. The singer suggests that even your closest friends may betray you in pursuit of their own success, leaving you feeling empty and missing something essential. Moreover, the singer believes that any talent or courage you thought you possessed might just be an illusion - a mere dream. When you wake up and face the truth, you will beg to get your lost inspiration back.
Overall, the song paints a bleak picture of the music industry and the artistic process. It highlights the fierce competition and the emotional toll it takes on artists who are always at risk of losing their dreams and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Just don't forget
Don't overlook the fact
That it's dumb luck that got you here
Your fortune is a result of chance, not solely your own effort
Don't fool yourself
Do not deceive yourself
Misfortunes waiting for the best time to appear
Hardships can surface at any moment
To make it clear
To establish the fact
That all the courage and the talent that you had
Your boldness and skill-set may not be as remarkable as perceived
Was just in dreams
Your gift exists merely in your imagination
And when you wake up
Upon realization or truth
You will beg to get it back
You will desperately yearn for it
To get it back
To recover your lost potential
You interest your friends
Your charisma catches the attention of those around you
They will betray you
They will be disloyal to you
With the love that's blinding
Due to infatuation, their support is biased and inadequate
And then at the end they may admit
Eventually, they will confess
That you were missing something
You lacked a crucial component
And no one remembers even one word that left your mouth
No one retains or recalls anything significant you communicated
All the melodies were stolen
Your music has been copied
From songs by someone else
You derived your music from another source
You're out of time
You are running out of opportunities
And inspiration filled with self-pity and fear
Your motivation is consumed by self-doubt and anxiety
And all the dreams that haven't dried up
The aspirations that have not yet evaporated
Are slowly drowning in your tears
Are vanishing into emotional distress
In your tears
Through your tears and lamentation
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JAMES TAMBORELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind