Combining elements of jazz, pop and funk, this New York City-based group creates a singular sound with memorable melodies and unique, sophisticated harmonies. Fronted by the clear sultry voice of singer songwriter Elizabeth Ziman, they are attracting a buzz from the music press.
Ziman wrote her first song at age six, banging out melodies on an old upright in a Greenwich Village laundry room. A born romantic, Ziman transformed the music of Debussy, molding it to the driving rhythms of the washer and dryer. With Debussy and Bach on her left and the Beatles just to her right, Elizabeth quickly developed a sound all her own. Her “Baroque” pop songs have frequently been compared to those of Rufus Wainright, Fiona Apple and Laura Nyro. Elizabeth received the ASCAP Leiber and Stoller award in 2001 for her song “Like Water is to Sand”. From two years, she toured across the U.S. with soul queen Patti Austin, who kicked off her tour at Lincoln Center in 2003. Ziman has also performed with Enya, singing with her on Regis and Kelly as well as the CBS Morning Show. Comprised of Elizabeth Ziman (vocals, keys), Danny Molad (drums), and Peter Lalish (guitar), Elizabeth and the Catapult came into existence in 2004.
Ziman has performed extensively in New York City and Boston (The Knitting Factory, The Living Room, Rockwood Music Hall, The Cutting Room, The Middle East, T.T. The Bears). They completed their S-T EP and promoted the album on ‘soundcheck’ with John Shaefer(WNYC) in April. They have opened for national headliners like Jessie Harris, Kirk Kirkwood (of Meat Puppets fame), The Wood Brothers (featuring Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin, and Wood), and Amanda Palmer. They were spotlighted in the fall issue of Northeast Performer and the featured Billboard Underground Artist in October 2006.
Taller Children
Elizabeth & The Catapult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So you think you know
Think you know, think you know better?
Is it just because, just because
You're older and wiser?
Don't you know, Don't you know
You don't get smarter?
You just jump a little higher
(In the end) We're all just taller children (x4)
So you're talking like, talking like
You got it together
Mister Wall Street wonder
You're the man of the hour
Don't you know that you owe
A call to your mother?
For such a rich fucker
Thought you would've known better
(In the end) We're all just taller children (x4)
If you don't slow down
What's the point of winning?
If you can't look up
You just keep on spinning
If you don't slow down
What's the point of winning?
If you can't look up
You just keep on spinning,
Spinning, spinning
Spinning round
Got the kid and the pretty wife
Got the boss and there's your life
Take a breath before you dive
Take a breath before you die
There's your name on the dotted line
There's your name on the dotted line
Take a breath before you buy it Take a breath before you buy it
Sit tight, sit tight (Got the kid and the pretty wife)
Sit tight, overcharged
Sit tight, sit tight (Take a breath before you dive)
Sit tight, decaffeinated
Sit tight, sit tight (There's your name on the dotted line)
Sit tight, overcharged (There's your name on the dotted line)
Sit tight, sit tight (Take a breath before you buy it)
Take a breath before you buy (Take a breath before you)
'cuz we're all just taller children
We're all just taller children
We're all just taller children
We're all just taller children
In the end
The opening lines of Elizabeth & The Catapult's song "Taller Children" set the tone for the entire song: "We're all just taller children." This repetition of this assertion might be viewed as a meditation on the nature of maturity and growing up. The honesty and self-awareness in acknowledging that, despite being older (and perhaps wiser), we're all still children inside. Sometimes we may be so intent on moving forward and progressing that we forget to treasure our inner child.
The line "Is it just because, just because / You're older and wiser?" could be interpreted as a challenge to the idea that age brings wisdom. The singer is suggesting that that isn't always the case, and that we should continue to value creativity and playfulness even as we grow older. The admonition "Don't you know you don't get smarter?" adds to this notion, as it reminds us that true intelligence doesn't just come from adding years.
The verses also explore societal expectations of success and materialism. The line “Mister Wall Street wonder / You're the man of the hour” implies that such an individual is at the top of their game, success-wise. However, the line "...for such a rich fucker / Thought you would've known better" implies a level of deception, and suggests that this person has possibly compromised their ethics in their pursuit of wealth. The bridge then brings back the idea of slowing down and recognizing the moments of one's own life that matter, “If you don't slow down, What's the point of winning? If you can't look up, You just keep on spinning.”
Overall, "Taller Children" encourages listeners to maintain a sense of wonder and simple joy as they navigate the sometimes-challenging terrain of adulthood. The song's understated melody and restrained instrumentation lend it a dreamlike quality, making it easy to get lost in the message and imagery of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
We're all just taller children
Despite growing up, we are still naive and inexperienced in life.
So you think you know
Challenging the assumption that older people are always wiser.
Think you know, think you know better?
Asking if their perspective is truly superior.
Is it just because, just because
Questioning whether their superiority complex is only due to their age.
You're older and wiser?
Sarcastic remark about the belief that age equates to wisdom.
Don't you know, Don't you know
Asserting that wisdom does not necessarily come with age.
You don't get smarter?
Pointing out that intellectual capacity is not fixed, and can be improved at any age.
You're the same as you started
Stating that fundamentally, people do not change despite growing older.
You just jump a little higher
Metaphor for people not fundamentally changing but rather just gaining experience.
If you don't slow down
Implying that success can be fleeting and meaningless without introspection.
What's the point of winning?
Questioning whether success matters if you haven't taken the time to reflect.
If you can't look up
Suggesting a connection between success and perspective.
You just keep on spinning
Ingrained habits and high-speed lifestyles can be mentally exhausting.
Got the kid and the pretty wife
Listing the things that are often considered symbols of success.
Got the boss and there's your life
Describing a personality type that is defined only by work and success.
Take a breath before you dive
Advocating for a moment of contemplation before making important decisions.
Take a breath before you die
Acknowledging the time-sensitive nature of life.
There's your name on the dotted line
Referring to the contracts and binding decisions made in life.
Take a breath before you buy
Encouraging readers to consider the potential consequences of major purchases.
Sit tight, sit tight (Got the kid and the pretty wife)
List of different variations of 'sitting tight' lifestyle choices depending on success level.
Sit tight, overcharged
Sarcastic remark about individuals who overspend to show off their success.
Sit tight, decaffeinated
Metaphor for being complacent and unstimulated in their work and personal lives.
Sit tight, sit tight (Take a breath before you dive)
Reiteration of the importance of reflection before making big decisions.
Sit tight, overcharged (There's your name on the dotted line)
Linking the idea of overspending with the potential financial consequences of contractual obligations.
Take a breath before you buy (Take a breath before you)
Final reminder to take a moment of contemplation before financial decisions.
'cuz we're all just taller children
Closing reminder that despite our age, we are all still learning and growing.
In the end
Repeating the opening statement after all of the other lines have been explored.
Contributed by Bella A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dankdank1891
This continues to be one of my favorite songs. Elizabeth is such an incredible song writer and very insightful.
@Gravitron89
Still a song thats very much alive in my heart!
@FrumpyDucks
Ayyooo Mark Crilley sent me!! Thank God, I needed new music to listen to
@fingal42
Great! This song's the wave of the future.
@RevanthKausikan
WOW! seriously? I see so many mentioning markcrilley here!!!
Well, I'm here to add one more. I'm here because of him too!
About the song, yes, we are all just taller children in the end.
@Echo8081
Mark Crilley sent me too but I would also like to say that that has nothing to do with how much i love this song omg it's really good
@ASunnyGrl
I Love this song, and it was awesome live!
@rosellewilliams2864
I heard this on a sample cd when it came out. Lost the cd. I am glad that I found this song again. I have no idea why it has so few views.👀
@hillsygirl101
The little kid is adorable :)
@daveinprogress3
great clip and song - thanks for posting - a great find. I will pursue this fab new recording artist