Houndmouth is a collaborative folk rock four-member band, formed in 2011 fr… Read Full Bio ↴Houndmouth is a collaborative folk rock four-member band, formed in 2011 from the lowland plains and farmlands of Indiana, USA. The band's lyrics emphasize their foolhardiness, and their soulful harmonies carry far. Houndmouth consists of Matt Myers (guitar, vocals), Katie Toupin (keyboard, vocals), Zak Appleby (bass, vocals) and Shane Cody(drums, vocals). Folk duo Katie Toupin and Matt Myers (formerly of the Saint James Hotel) joined up with Shane Cody (Riffraff Revival) and Zak Appleby to create a colossal electric sound with bouncy half-time beats, punchy guitar riffs, and a bit of facial hair. They performed at SXSW in 2012 to promote their self-titled EP, and then were signed up by Rough Trade Records. The band have appeared on several major television shows, including Letterman and Conan.
First Album - From the Hills Below the City (2013) - Houndmouth's first studio album "From the Hills Below the City" was release on June 3, 2013.
Second Album - Little Neon Limelight (2015) - The band's second studio album, "Little Neon Limelight" was released on March 17, 2015

This Party
Houndmouth Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everybody looks the same
When the camera fades away
But it's okay to feel so strange
If you ain't gonna show your face
It doesn't have to be this way
I know why you perceive the wave
Emotional

I'm talking you up, I know I shouldn't
But I'm talking you up

I don't wanna be at this party
I just wanna make the night move
I don't wanna be at this party
Dancing alone without you

The monster movie sky
State of mind
In your nitrogen eyes
They burning Egyptian Blue

I'm talking you up, I know I shouldn't
But I'm talking you up

I don't wanna be at this party
I just wanna make the night move
I don't wanna be at this party
Dancing alone without you

I don't wanna be at this party
Feeling kind of strange and
Everybody's gonna be dancing
I don't wanna be at this party, without you

I don't wanna be at this party
I'm feeling kind of strange and
Everybody's gonna be dancing
I don't wanna dance without you, baby

I don't wanna be at this party
I just wanna make the night move
I don't wanna be at this party
Dancing alone without you

I don't wanna be at this party
I just wanna make the night move

I don't wanna be at this party
Dancing alone without you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Houndmouth's song "This Party" are about feeling out of place and uncomfortable at a party. The first verse starts with the lines "Everybody looks the same, when the camera fades away, but it's okay to feel so strange, if you ain't gonna show your face." This suggests that people put on a façade and hide their true selves when they know they are being watched, but it's fine to feel insecure if you're not going to reveal who you really are. The next line, "It doesn't have to be this way, I know why you perceive the wave," is more cryptic, but it could mean that it's possible to break free of this cycle of hiding and behaving a certain way at parties, and that the singer understands why people continue to do it.

The chorus repeatedly declares "I don't wanna be at this party" and "dancing alone without you," suggesting that the singer is missing someone who is not there, and that the party feels empty and meaningless without that person. The second verse contains a lot of vivid imagery, with "the monster movie sky" and "burning Egyptian Blue" adding to the sense of unease and dislocation at the party.

Overall, the lyrics of "This Party" seem to be about the complexities of social interaction and the way that people often feel forced to put on a façade in order to fit in. The singer longs for a deeper, more authentic connection with someone, and feels out of place in a crowd of strangers. The upbeat rhythm and melody of the song contrast with this message somewhat, creating a sense of tension between the surface-level excitement of a party and the deeper emotional undercurrents that the lyrics suggest.

Line by Line Meaning

Everybody looks the same When the camera fades away But it's okay to feel so strange If you ain't gonna show your face It doesn't have to be this way I know why you perceive the wave Emotional
Appearance can be deceiving; when the spotlight is turned off, people return to their regular lives. However, it's perfectly fine to feel out of place if you don't want to conform. There's no need to pretend to be someone you're not. I understand why you're feeling the way you do, and it's an emotional experience.

I'm talking you up, I know I shouldn't But I'm talking you up
I am aware that I shouldn't be hyping you up, but I can't help admiring you and have to express how awesome you are.

I don't wanna be at this party I just wanna make the night move I don't wanna be at this party Dancing alone without you
I don't want to be at this party because I want to make things happen and have a good time, but it's not possible without you here with me. It feels wrong to dance and enjoy myself without you.

The monster movie sky State of mind In your nitrogen eyes They burning Egyptian Blue
The sky above us looks like something out of a horror movie, and it reflects the current state of my mind. When I look into your eyes, which are shiny with nitrogen, they appear to be burning like the bright blue fire used in ancient Egyptian ceremonies.

I don't wanna be at this party Feeling kind of strange and Everybody's gonna be dancing I don't wanna be at this party, without you
I'm not comfortable being at this party because I feel out of place, and I know everyone will be dancing. I wish you were here with me because I can't be happy or have fun without you.

I don't wanna be at this party I'm feeling kind of strange and Everybody's gonna be dancing I don't wanna dance without you, baby
I'm experiencing some things that make me feel uneasy while I'm at this party. I know there will be lots of people dancing, but I don't want to dance without you. I miss you so much, baby.

I don't wanna be at this party I just wanna make the night move I don't wanna be at this party Dancing alone without you
I don't really want to be at this event; I'd prefer to be somewhere else, making things happen and having a good time. I definitely don't want to stay here and dance by myself. It's not the same without you.

Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew Myers, Zachary Appleby, Shane Cody

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

jennifer graham

6y↑6

This song makes me wanna disco dance every time 🕺

BrokenbonesMatilda

I'd like to roller skate to this tune

Rubes McGoobs Shorts

That’s my uncle

Kinetic Canvas

6y↑32

Liked the old Houndmouth. Like the new Houndmouth. It's good to spread your wings creatively. You all just keep doing what you do.

Gerardo Munoz

Saw them live last year and they absolutely killed it. Their live sound was something else. Incredibly raw in a golden way. I’m glad I had the chance to experience that before they switched music styles. It’s interesting how they chose to highlight the burden of technology in this day and age (soulless lives and repetitive partying) but I didn’t expect that burden to be applied to their actual sound

Kelly Green

A catchy little tune. Love it.❤️

Jackson Wheeler

I can’t believe I’m just hearing this album and I’m listening to it on REPEAT. I’ve then watched some of the live versions..… DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED! I’m in awe that this doesn’t have more views.

Clayton Bennett

6y↑3

Not every album can be great. Build em out, don't tear em down, and maybe they'll get back on track next round. I thought Houndmouth carried the torch for the future of rock and roll. Maybe they will again. Nice experiement guys, now go back to your own party.

RJLJ

6y↑11

I dig the new sound. Looking forward to hearing more

J Sickels

6y↑1

It sucks

1 More Replies...

alasdair lambie

6y↑2

A huge change of style, but I love the song and the video is so, so good.

Laura Boge

5y↑2

Tbh I love this song. I think it’s their best one😖

Karen García

Good job, Houndmouth!

Scott madison

I remember getting the ad out for this and it was only 2 months in and now its 2 years it's crazy to see it change so much

R O B Ǝ Я T

6y↑4

I like where this record is going. 80s pop/tom petty-ish

Jonathan Garrett

6y↑32

Make houndmouth great again

RainasRoom

6y↑13

Not the biggest fan of this, but gotta admit it's kinda growing on me

james stout

Two good albums is all we can get before people give in to mainstream bull shit

Sabrina S

6y↑2

This song is already stuck in my head

Susan Smith

bless their hearts. but i'm still going to see them live on august 18. hoping for the old stuff.

Carx V

6y↑2

Nice video, felt like Matrix year 9551. The song is pretty catchy and good!

Z Λ C H

6y↑1

Después de mucho tiempo, regresan 😣😣

Mike Hardy

5y↑1

This rocks

Dick Mittens

6y↑10

This video is dope.

Dragon Fortress

6y↑1

dope af.

Roland Knight

6y↑1

Woww, I'm speechless

Aron Harrington

5y↑3

I'm just gonna say it -- Golden Age is Houndmouth's Raditude. I anticipated this album with cautious enthusiasm knowing that Katie left. When I learned about the sax players coming onto the band, I actually felt it was confirmation that Houndmouth was digging deeper into their Americana sound. However, after hearing 'This Party' earlier this year, I knew where this project was headed. This album was the answer to a question nobody asked. The lyrics of 'This Party' are boring and repetitive at best (you will hear "I don't wanna be at this party" 11 times), and painfully awkward at worst (what are nitrogen eyes?!). This song is reminiscent of that time in college when you had a 2,000 word essay due on Monday morning, but it is Sunday night and you are too exhausted to produce anything remotely resembling a coherent paragraph. You print the essay and turn it in, simultaneously feeling relieved and anxious after the fact. Whereas your professor would give you an incomplete grade and a stern "See me after class", there is no direct repercussion given to Houndmouth because so few critics even have them on their radar. No matter how "experimental" people claim this album is, it's simply not good. I love Houndmouth, but I do not love this album.

flachi32

2y↑1

Totally agree. All I will add is that little neon limelight took a while to grow on me and I like it more than the first. I can forgive them a dud album but hope they return to the melodies of before.

J + O + B - Taller de Arquitectura

6y↑1

The only houndmouth I hear is from 1:55 to 2:34. Looking foward the new stuff

austin ozier

6y↑1

This sucks comparitive to where you were at... Hate to be negative, but I'm glad everyone's so down on this... The psychedelic folk/americana wave you all were riding was fucking incredible... Early houndmouth didn't have one bad song, everything was a banger! Had a chance to see houndmouth @ forecastle in louisville a few weeks back... I passed... BUT. Katie toupin is coming friday and I'll be there!!! She's suck a foxxx and her new shit is great!

Veritésayer

3y↑1

Chill the F down people. This is my jam!

Scott madison

3y↑1

Yea listen to this 2 years and I just remembered it out of nowhere

Chris Garrod

6y↑1

Helllllll yeahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry, was trying to contain excitement)

John Jackson

6y↑1

I can understand you want to try something new, but I’m not feeling it so far. In the previous 2 albums I was digging the Folk Rock and harmony’s, the story telling and the edge was awesome, hence all the success. On the next album We want something with bite, edge, Folk Rock type. Good luck!

Benjamin Kari

6y↑2

still at this party

Jonathan Ott

6y↑8

I feel like you should just change your name at this point. Different sound, different production, different genre, different members. It's great that you found a way to reinvent yourself after Toupin left, so why not take the opportunity to choose a better-fitting name for your new musical project? (TBH, I never much liked Houndmouth, anyway) That way, I don't have to always say, "I really love Houndmouth. Well, the old stuff. Before they became a completely different band."

Kyle Penrod

6y↑4

This song is extremely catchy. Although I'm new to them with this song. I think I prefer that over all of the condescending long time fans hating on this bands music.

DavinciCarvings

6y↑1

People are upset because they changed genres without even a heads up to the fans that they gathered using their old style. Clearly they wanted to make a new sound and instead of relaunching as a new improved band they are trying to capitalize after the success they have already gathered even though most people who like Americana type music have no interest in this new style.

DX Satellite Rock

Cool!

Sam Wolfe

6y↑16

Ya guys are still one of my favorite bands and I wish you well in life and everything, but I think I'm gonna take a break while you rediscover yourselves or whatever it is you're doing with this. You used to sing about the struggles of real Americans, miner's unions, gambling women, antisocial physicists, and so on. Comparatively, these repetitive verses just seem lazy.
You guys are great as an Americana band singing about the American Experiment with heartfelt emotion but I just don't dig this new shallow hipster dime a dozen pop vibe.

Aron Harrington

5y↑3

Anti-social physicists LOL. 😂 This comment is spot on. The first 2 albums were fascinating and a breath of fresh air from mainstream music about getting rejected or overdosing.

Brittany Hottmann

5y↑2

I love them and im trying to get connected to them without Katie still but im not so sure I can? This sounds similar to Vampire Weekend, who I love, but not coming from Houndmouth. I loved their old alt folk vibe. I am sad.

Nathan C

5y↑1

I like some of their new stuff like the stuff from the california voodoo albums and some from golden age, but i agree i do like their older songs

Biggie Scooby

4y↑1

Fuck All The Haters. Great song. Keep exploring and pushing your boundaries!

E L

I would expect this from a small indie artist, not from a band of your calibre. This is like buying new clothes but the store gave you the wrong sizes, it might fit someone but it doesn't fit me and it's not what I expected.

Jhokko

6y↑2

This is set in 1991 look at 2:36 it says 09/29/91 the motherboard is from 1991 as well.

Tragically Canadian

6y↑43

You know those songs that you hate at first but then grow on you the more you listen to them.... this is not one of those

Robot A.

6y↑8

I had the opposite reaction lol

J Sickels

6y↑3

Yeah it never grew on me. They will never do anything better than Sedona.

Tragically Canadian

6y↑2

J Sickels No doubt, that album is one of my favourites.

Crypto Crush-8

6y↑1

It is so wanky. I'm almost regretting buying tickets to see them in Knoxville. Oh, and their lead girl left the band to boot. I can't imagine having to listen to this song live in concert. I'll be sining, "I don't want to be at this concert... I'd rather be dead, and with out them".

3 More Replies...

David Martin

IS THAT THE ROCK???

Coco Beans

6y↑1

This isn't bad. But it's not houndmouth.

lyle miller

6y↑1

is this some kind of matrix alian party going on and I'm not invited? cause I"ve been dancing alone without her !talking her up ,just wanto make the night move!

Thomas Carney

6y↑1

I’m one of the slave workers in this video!

Morgan

6y↑13

Houndmouth used to be one of my favorite bands, but of course, they have to go and sell out. It's not even them experimenting, cause Katie's off doing her own thing, probably because they wanted to turn the band into pop. This sucks, I wanted to go see them live one day, didn't expect them to turn into some dance, pop, crap.

allmightyjosh85

6y↑3

Cool story, you done crying?

mariahawk5

6y↑1

it's peppy

D K

6y↑6

Record company with fake accounts showin mad love for the new corporate houndmouth!

Sabrina S

6y↑4

I swear I'm real, pinch me

Jon M

6y↑13

Sooo this must be why Katie quit?

Brittany Hottmann

@Scot Stephenson nah. shes going on tour. idk why she left but it takes time to build up your solo name. she completed houndmouth. she'll do well on her own too.

1 More Replies...

johnsbren

6y↑6

Okay song. Unfortunately, compared to previous albums, I don't think I want to be at this party either.

Spartan Zero One

6y↑17

Wtf happened to Houndmouth.... Freaking everyone chasing the money, and they end up like all the rest. Lame and forgotten.... Should have kept it original...

Isabelle

6y↑5

Chris Monty orrrrr maybe every good band ever has had an explorative album that isn’t for everybody but is good for the band members to explore a different side of their music 🤷🏽‍♀️ This doesn’t dictate how the rest of their music career will go. It’s one song, on one album

J Sickels

Isabelle this isnt exploring anything. Its mainstream dance pop crap lol.

Leo1988 TMNT

6y↑1

They've sold out trying to go mainstream. Brainwashing music for the corporate elite.

Isabelle

6y↑1

Turtle Island LAC Then don’t listen to them?

NinjaWizard45

Chris Monty I know right. I miss the style of Little Neon Limelight

2 More Replies...

Fox Mulder

6y↑16

It's like a B side from Tame Impala. Glad y'all are doing what you love and want, but I'm not feeling this. It's a shame, you had the New Americana genre on lockdown.

Fox Mulder

@Jackson Wheeler I was quite polite in my criticism, far more polite than the band was to their fans who felt the same way - of which there were many. Your feelings toward my opinion makes no difference to me, especially 3 years later.

Jackson Wheeler

3y↑1

@Fox Mulder why don’t you try to write, produce, and market a whole album??? Oh it’s hard work? Well why don’t you support them or just don’t say anything at all? They’re doing what they’re doing. Let them do it.

Fox Mulder

@Jackson Wheeler lol

1 More Replies...

John S

Smh

Jeremiah Smith

6y↑8

As someone who tries to keep an open mind about all genres, this is just garbage.

Rodrigo Vázquez

3y↑2

kinda THX1138

Chris LaFuria

6y↑2

So many things I dislike about this. But hey, keep doing what you love fellas.

x ray

6y↑2

Sellout's

An Old Man Named dave

Nah.. Where'd guitars go?!! Sounds like devo, only worse. 😣

Nick Grandey

6y↑2

This is garbage.. What are you guys doing? So derivative

Don Ohealey

what the hell no wander the girl left

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