The band has toured extensively throughout the USA and Europe, most notably with ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead (whose second percussionist, Doni Schroader, has played with Cameron in both Fair Verona and Forget Cassettes).
Forget Cassettes started life as a two-piece, but when Schroader quit to join ...Trail of Dead on a full-time basis, Cameron temporarily split the group altogether. After a few months' break from the music business, she recruited Aaron Ford and Jay Leo Phillips in 2005 - both of whom are noted local musicians in Nashville - and began work on Forget Cassettes' sophomore record. Following its release in 2006, Schroader returned to play with the band sporadically, most notably on its tour of Europe in February and March 2007.
Critical Reception
Reviews for both the group's albums have been generally positive, as have the comments regarding their energetic live performances. Comparisons with other bands, a beloved tactic of today's music press, have ranged from the superficial (e.g. The White Stripes, mainly as a result of their initial status as a duo) to the more legitimate (including PJ Harvey and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs). Perhaps acknowledging the influence of the former, Forget Cassettes covered PJ Harvey's 'Me-Jane' - from her 1993 album Rid of Me - during their 2007 European tour. The proprietors of WOXY, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based Internet radio station, are self-confessed fans of the band and the group has performed no fewer than three in-studio sessions for the station thus far.
Band Members
* Beth Cameron (guitar, vocals, keys)
* Aaron Ford (drums)
* Jay Leo Phillips (bass, guitar, keys, backing vocals)
* Doni Schroader (drums, percussion, backing vocals, keys)
Bruce Wayne
Forget Cassettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It paints your face fey (?)
As your eyes are the trophies
They serve as proof
That the years have been gracious
Only at night as when we meet
Just to flag, covered by a mystery (?)
Watch me hang by a thread
Leave me with something that I won't soon forget
Take me out, let's grab it by (?)
We'll put on a disguise and hide out in the back
This conversation is wearing thin
A decade stands between us
So I'm betting I'll never win
And it's competition I'm not cut out for
So call me when I'm older
Youth, it looks good on me
It paints my face naive
My hands show truth when my eyes lie
Touches of strength, touches of pride
We met far and drunks at twelve
And stood at the jukebox
Until after 2a.m.
Exile on Main Street was before my day
'Tis before when I was born, circa 1980
This conversation is wearing thin
A decade stands between us
So you're betting you'll never win
And it's competition you're not cut out for
So maybe you'll call me when I'm older
Hey, hey, say something now
Hey, hey, say something now
Hey, hey, say something
Damn my manners and curfew (?)
I'll stay home to clean my room
Well, there are better ways for
(?) running through your face
Say goodnight with morning open ended
Next time you see me I'll be different
And it's competition I'm not cut out for
So call me when I'm older
The lyrics of Forget Cassettes's song "Bruce Wayne" tell the story of two people at different stages of their lives, reflecting on their past and present selves. The first verse is addressed to someone older, possibly a former lover or friend, describing how age has made them more refined and wise. The singer admits to feeling somewhat intimidated by this person, hoping to leave the encounter with a lasting impression.
The second verse is the singer's own reflection, describing how youth has made them naive and uncertain, but also strong and proud. They recall a memory from their past where they met someone at a bar, bonding over music and staying up late into the night. This memory serves as a contrast to the present, where the singer feels somewhat out of place and unsure of themselves.
The chorus is a plea for connection, a desire to bridge the gap between these two different stages of life. The singer acknowledges that they may not be able to compete with someone who has more experience, but still hopes for some kind of affirmation and validation. The song ends with a note of optimism, promising that things will be different in the future.
Overall, "Bruce Wayne" is a song about the passage of time and the different ways it shapes our lives. It's a poignant reflection on the fear and uncertainty that comes with growing older, as well as the nostalgia and longing for our younger selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Age looks good on you
It paints your face fey (?)
As your eyes are the trophies
They serve as proof
That the years have been gracious
The passing years have been kind to you, leaving their mark as beauty instead of weariness. Your eyes are sparkling with life and accomplishments, proving that you have lived well.
Only at night as when we meet
Just to flag, covered by a mystery (?)
Tell me what to expect
Watch me hang by a thread
Leave me with something that I won't soon forget
Our secretive rendezvous, taking place under the cover of darkness, leaves me longing for more. I'm hanging onto every word, hoping you will give me something unforgettable to remember you by.
Take me out, let's grab it by (?)
We'll put on a disguise and hide out in the back
Let's go out and live our lives to the fullest, having a blast while remaining under the radar. We'll put on masks and slip into the shadows, free to be ourselves without any worries.
This conversation is wearing thin
A decade stands between us
So I'm betting I'll never win
And it's competition I'm not cut out for
So call me when I'm older
We've been talking for a while now, but it's becoming clear that we're from different worlds. The ten-year age gap between us is a huge barrier, and I don't have the competitive spirit to fight for us. Maybe in the future, when I have more experience and confidence, we can try again.
Youth, it looks good on me
It paints my face naive
My hands show truth when my eyes lie
Touches of strength, touches of pride
I may be young, but I wear it well. My face may give off an air of naivety, but my hands show the honesty and integrity of someone who knows their worth. I have a strong spirit and a sense of pride in myself that shines through despite any doubts.
We met far and drunks at twelve
And stood at the jukebox
Until after 2a.m.
We met when we were young and wild, drinking and dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Our shared love of music brought us together and kept us talking late into the night.
Exile on Main Street was before my day
'Tis before when I was born, circa 1980
I wasn't around when Exile on Main Street came out, having been born in the decade after. But I still appreciate the music of that era and what it represents in the history of rock and roll.
Hey, hey, say something now
Hey, hey, say something now
Hey, hey, say something
I need to hear your voice, to know what you're thinking and feeling. I can't keep this conversation going on my own, and I want to hear your perspective on things.
Damn my manners and curfew (?)
I'll stay home to clean my room
Well, there are better ways for
(?) running through your face
I may be young and still have a curfew, but I won't let that stop me from pursuing my passions. I'll stay home to clean my room if I have to, but there are so many things I want to do instead. I want to see the world and leave my mark on it.
Say goodnight with morning open ended
Next time you see me I'll be different
And it's competition I'm not cut out for
So call me when I'm older
Let's part ways for now, but leave the door open for the future. The next time we meet, I'll have grown and changed, ready to face whatever challenges come my way. I may not be cut out for competition now, but I hope to be in the future. So let's catch up again when I'm older, wiser, and more confident.
Contributed by Aubrey I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
xolot23
Quite interesting, I've been a fan since since 2010 and I am more surprised that there is not much views or likes in youtube. I need to share more of their music to my friends love this band.