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.
One By One
Dntel Lyrics
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In dreams.
This is why I'm so unhappy
And sees.
This space I am defending
In sections
Is now never ending
The way his hands unfold me
It seems
To form a ring around me
Unseen
He tells me I'm just hiding
In circles
It leaves my life divided
Alone, alone
Alone
He dumb dumb da dee dumb
(Hee e e e e e)
(He omm ohh ahhh)
In Dntel's "Why I'm So Unhappy", the singer is experiencing dissatisfaction with their life due to a dream they had. In the dream, a person is sitting beneath them and watching them. This dream seems to be the root of their unhappiness. The singer discusses how they are defending something in their life, in sections, but now it seems to be growing out of control. This overgrowth could be a metaphor for the singer's problems, which are growing and spreading beyond their control.
The singer also mentions the way this person's hands embrace them and form a ring around them, though they are unseen. This imagery could represent an emotional connection that the singer feels with this person, even though they may not be physically present. However, the singer feels trapped by this dream and the emotional connection it represents, leading to their feelings of isolation.
The song's lyrics leave much to interpretation, as they do not clearly state the relationship between the singer and the person in the dream, nor do they clarify what "circles" the person suggests the singer is hiding in. Ultimately, the song speaks to the power of dreams and emotions, and how they can shape our realities even when we are awake.
Line by Line Meaning
He's sitting under me
In dreams.
The singer is haunted by dreams of someone sitting under them, causing their unhappiness.
This space I am defending
In sections
Is now never ending
Overgrowth
The singer is trying to protect themselves and their personal space, but it feels like it's becoming overwhelming and impossible to maintain.
The way his hands unfold me
It seems
To form a ring around me
Unseen
The singer feels trapped and suffocated by someone's touch, even though it's not physically visible.
He tells me I'm just hiding
In circles
It leaves my life divided
Alone, alone
Alone
The artist's partner accuses them of hiding from their issues by going in circles, causing their life to become divided and lonely.
He dumb dumb da dee dumb
(Hee e e e e e)
(He omm ohh ahhh)
These nonsensical sounds are likely meant to represent the artist's confusion and frustration with their situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: BRIAN MCMAHAN, JAMES TAMBORELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind