Three of the original four band members, bassist Jamie Krents, vocalist/drummer Nick Stumpf, and vocalist/guitarist Matthew Stinchcomb, are from Washington, D.C. They were heavily influenced by the hardcore scene that flourished during their youth in the D.C. area. They began playing together in a series of bands while in their teens and then all attended Oberlin College in Ohio, where they continued to play together. The three friends then moved to Brooklyn, New York after college, where the French Kicks were formed with vocalist/guitarist Josh Wise, a Princeton grad who originally hailed from Huntsville, Alabama.
In 1999 they released a self titled EP The French Kicks under the label My Pal God. Soon, after a lot of touring, the band signed to Startime International. They soon released the Young Lawyer EP in 2001. The group then embarked on a tour with fellow garage rockers The Vue and The Walkmen. In 2002 they released their first full length album, One Time Bells. Jamie Krents departed the band the next year, and was replaced on bass by Lawrence Stumpf, Nick's younger brother. In 2004, their next album, The Trial of the Century was released. Another personnel change occurred when Nick stopped playing drums at live shows to concentrate on his lead singing. A series of temporary drummers filled his spot until the band settled on Aaron Thurston, a Massachusetts native. In late 2005, Stinchcomb announced that he was leaving the band.
Their video for their single "So Far We Are" also features actress Olivia Wilde.
Singer Josh Wise has recently begun appearing with the "A>G>E Amigos" in and around NY. The track list for a short LP on vinyl appeared on the "Above Ground Episodes" tumblog in early 2011.
www.frenchkicks.com
http://abovegroundepisodes.tumblr.com/
Young Lawyer
French Kicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been casting glances at her everyday
I know
Took all my things today
I took all my things today
You're looking for a new frustration
A biter spleen and a bit up lip
I never felt a better love than this
One to another, all undercover
Under the table, that's how i see you
One to another, one is a number
Hundreds people fighting the feeling
[I'm trying to be the man I could be]
Now now now now now now now now
Little gallop little sure step
This little pony's got me short of breath
I know
Took all my things today
I took all my things today
I found I found a new relation
Gives me the shakes and makes my heart go stop
I'm so at home with this homesick danger oh
Gives me the shiver makes my stomach drop
Went to another all of the cover
That's how I see you under the table
One is a number hundreds of people
Fighting a feeling under the table
Build it around then over each other
Went to another all of the cover
One is a number numbers of people
That's how I see you fighting a feeling
[I'm trying to be the man I could be]
Now now now now now now now now
Now now now now now now now now
Now now now now now now now now
The song "Young Lawyer" by French Kicks tells the story of a man who is infatuated with a woman whom he refers to as his "pretty little castaway." He acknowledges that he has been keeping a close eye on her, but he seems to be hesitant to make a move. He admits that he has taken all of his things today, which could be interpreted as him leaving to start a new chapter in his life, separate from the woman he desires. He describes the woman as looking for a "new frustration" and being "bitten" by the "sweet's so bitter," suggesting that she is perhaps a bit of a wild card.
The chorus of the song seems to be about the man's internal struggle: "One to another, all undercover, under the table, that's how I see you. One to another, one is a number, hundreds people fighting the feeling. [I’m trying to be the man I could be]. Now, now, now, now, now, now, now." These lyrics suggest that the man is trying to resist his feelings for the woman, perhaps because he knows that they are not meant to be.
In the second verse of the song, the man describes finding a "new relation" that gives him the "shakes" and makes his "heart go stop." He says that he is "so at home with this homesick danger," implying that he is drawn to things that are bad for him. He describes going "to another all of the cover, that’s how [he sees] you under the table" and "fighting a feeling" with "hundreds of people," suggesting that this situation is more complex than just his personal struggle.
Overall, the lyrics of "Young Lawyer" are complex and open to interpretation. They touch on themes of desire, temptation, and internal struggle. The song is a great example of French Kicks' storytelling ability and their unique approach to indie rock.
Line by Line Meaning
I love my pretty little castaway
I am deeply in love with a beautiful woman who is stranded and alone
Been casting glances at her everyday
I have been looking at her with admiration every single day
I know
I understand how I feel and what I am doing
Took all my things today
I have taken everything that I own and left
You're looking for a new frustration
You are seeking an experience that will cause you anger or annoyance
A biter spleen and a bit up lip
You are angry and holding it in, biting your tongue to keep from expressing it
I know a I'm bitten cause the sweet's so bitter oh
I am aware that I am being hurt because what was once sweet is now causing pain
I never felt a better love than this
I have never experienced a love as strong as this before
One to another, all undercover
People are secretly communicating with each other
Under the table, that's how i see you
I know that you are trying to keep your actions a secret
One to another, one is a number
Even if there is only one person involved, it is still a difficult situation
Hundreds people fighting the feeling
Many people are struggling with their emotions
[I'm trying to be the man I could be]
I am attempting to become the best version of myself
Little gallop little sure step
I am moving forward quickly and confidently
This little pony's got me short of breath
This situation is exciting and making me breathless
I found I found a new relation
I have discovered a new connection with someone else
Gives me the shakes and makes my heart go stop
This new experience is both making me nervous and making my heart race
I'm so at home with this homesick danger oh
Even though this is risky, I feel comfortable in this type of danger
Gives me the shiver makes my stomach drop
This is both exciting and terrifying at the same time
Went to another all of the cover
Others are communicating in secret
That's how I see you under the table
I know that you are hiding something
Build it around then over each other
We are creating a relationship together by building upon it over time
Now now now now now now now now
This sense of urgency and immediacy is overwhelming
Contributed by Hannah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.