History
The band has been active since late 2002, and have toured around the United States, garnering a large following in the years since forming. Nolen Strals and Bruce Willen had previously been in a group called League of Death, which was initially conceived as a heavy metal outfit, but later became a hardcore band. League of Death broke up in 2002 after a final show with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, giving rise to Double Dagger. Brian Dubin joined the new band as a drummer, and played on the bands' first few recordings, including their self-titled debut album. He left in 2005 and was replaced by Denny Bowen, then of Yukon, formerly of the band Economist, with whom Double Dagger had released a split single in 2003.
Double Dagger have played with a number of high profile acts, including Pere Ubu, Lightning Bolt, The Ex, Buzzcocks, and Matt & Kim. They have released several EPs, 7" singles, and two full length albums. The band has earned considerable critical praise as well, as evinced by positive reviews in publications such as The Washington Post, Punk Planet, Baltimore City Paper and Rolling Stone.
The Mirror
Double Dagger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'll take so long to get to "hello" they'll think that nobody's home
I don't think we should let him talk to our kids
I don't want 'em to t-t-turn out like him
You've got so much to say, you've got so much to say
You've got so much to say, but you can't get it out
I can tell by your face. Why can't you just get it out?
You've got so much to say, you've got so much to say,
but I don't have all day so could you just spit it out?
You've got so much to say when you're up on that stage,
but when we're face to face you just can't get it out
Another time the words just don't come out right
Another ruined special night
What's that happening to your face and your neck?
It's like you've got some kind of mental defect
You've got so much to say...
What's that sound coming out of your throat?
It's like some horrible, wounded animal choke
I'm kinda scared by what's going on with your face
You're not making a sound, and it looks like you're in pain
I've got so much to say, I've got so much to say,
I've got so much to say, but I can't get it out
I've got so much to say, I've got so much to say,
I lose control of my face when I just can't get it out
I've got so much to say, I've got so much to say,
but we don't have all day so could I just spit it out
I've got so much to say when I'm up on that stage
but when we're face to face I just can't spit it out
Another time the words just don't come out right
That "another time" is the story of my whole life
Yes, I'm sure. No, I didn't forget my name
Sometimes I just have this problem here with my brain
Oh no, don't let him answer the phone
He'll take so long to get to "hello" they'll think that nobody's home
I don't think we should let him talk to our kids
I don't want 'em to t-t-turn out like him
The Mirror by Double Dagger is a song that explores the struggle of communication for an individual who has a lot to say but cannot get it out. The repetitive chorus of "You've got so much to say, you've got so much to say, but you can't get it out" emphasizes the frustration of the inability to express oneself. The first verse portrays the fear of allowing this individual to answer the phone or influence one's children as they take too long to respond and speak. The songwriting hints at the possibility of a mental issue and the frustration it causes both the individual and those around them. The second verse places the vocalist in the same situation as the individual, highlighting the relatability of such a struggle. The song concludes with a repetition of the initial verse, indicating the cyclical nature of the issue.
There are various interpretations of the song, and the band has not provided a clear statement explaining it. However, the lyrics likely depict a personal experience or connection with someone who suffers from a speech impediment or communication disorder. The song's tone is compassionate and empathetic while acknowledging the frustration it causes.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no, don't let him answer the phone
Don't let him answer the phone because he takes forever to say hello and people will think there's no one at home.
He'll take so long to get to "hello" they'll think that nobody's home
He takes so long to answer people that they'll think there's no one home.
I don't think we should let him talk to our kids
It's not a good idea for him to talk to our kids because I don't want them to be like him.
I don't want 'em to t-t-turn out like him
I don't want our kids to end up like him.
You've got so much to say, you've got so much to say
You have a lot to say but can't express it.
but you can't get it out
You have trouble expressing your thoughts and emotions.
I can tell by your face. Why can't you just get it out?
I can see that you have something to say but you're struggling to say it. Why can't you just say it?
but I don't have all day so could you just spit it out?
You have a lot to say but I don't have all day. Can you just say it quickly?
You've got so much to say when you're up on that stage
You have a lot to say when you're performing on stage.
but when we're face to face you just can't get it out
But when we're talking in person, you struggle to articulate your thoughts.
What's that happening to your face and your neck?
Why are you making strange facial expressions and movements with your neck?
It's like you've got some kind of mental defect
It seems like there's something wrong with your mental state or abilities.
What's that sound coming out of your throat?
Why are you making strange sounds with your throat?
It's like some horrible, wounded animal choke
The sounds you're making are like those of a wounded or distressed animal.
You're not making a sound, and it looks like you're in pain
You're silent and it seems like you're in pain or suffering in some way.
I've got so much to say, I've got so much to say
I have a lot to say but I struggle to voice it.
I lose control of my face when I just can't get it out
When I struggle to express my thoughts, I also lose control of my facial expressions.
but we don't have all day so could I just spit it out
I have a lot to say but we don't have a lot of time. Can I just say it quickly?
I've got so much to say when I'm up on that stage
When I perform on stage, I have so much to say.
but when we're face to face I just can't spit it out
But when we're talking in person, I struggle to articulate myself.
That 'another time' is the story of my whole life
Struggling to express myself is a repeating theme throughout my life.
Yes, I'm sure. No, I didn't forget my name
I'm sure of who I am, I just struggle to express myself.
Sometimes I just have this problem here with my brain
I have a problem with my brain that makes it difficult for me to express myself.
Contributed by Lucas N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.