The band's sound is generally a mix of staccato bass and rhythmic, harmonized guitar, with a snare heavy mix, drawing comparisons to post-punk bands such as Joy Division and The Chameleons.
The band formed in 1997 when Daniel Kessler met drummer Greg Drudy, previously a member of post-hardcore/screamo band Joshua Fit For Battle and Hot Cross, on the New York University campus. Kessler later added Carlos D. on the bass after meeting him in a history class. The line-up was complete after Kessler ran into Paul Banks, a friend whom he had met in Paris. In 2000, Sam Fogarino, whom the band knew through his job at a local record store, replaced Drudy. Carlos Dengler, who was responsible for bass and keyboards, left the band in 2010, and hasn't been replaced, but announced various names to help them perform live.
The band released Direction on the soundtrack of the television program 'Six Feet Under' on June 28, 2005. Shortly thereafter they left Matador for a major label.
Our Love to Admire was released on July 10, 2007 in the USA (July 9 in the UK) to generally favorable reviews. The Heinrich Maneuver was its first single.
Their self-titled LP was released on September 7th 2010 and the tracks Barricade , Summer Well , Lights , and Try It On have been issued as singles. After this album, the bassist Carlos Dengler has lefted the band.
El Pintor is the fifth Interpol's album and was released in September 8th 2014 with 5 singles, All the Rage Back Home, Ancient Ways. My Desire, Anywhere and Everything is Wrong. The album's name is an anagram for Interpol.
The last 2 Interpol's albums are Marauder (2018) and The Other Side of Make-Believe (2022) .
Who Do You Think
Interpol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who do you think that is there?
I came to fight; I am in the air
I know you follow the body; let go now
To the coast of your body we go
I only call them when I know I don't see them
I only call them when I know I don't see them
I should be young, slow beyond compare
I always fall in these fights, I know why
Always fall in these fights, I know why
Controlling the age, it takes a toll on my brain
Now, who do you think that is there?
I only call them when I know I don't see them
I only call them when I know I don't see them
Slow decay, I won't!
Who do you think that is there?
Mine's a stripe bleeding out of despair
I know you follow the body; let go now
To the coast of your body, I won't stop now
You think you can taste or we can make it your own way
Now who do you think; I said, who do you think now?
Oh, how I passed the days
You know how much I care
Oh, through the wax and wind
You know I will be there
Oh, that's your faded grace
You know now not to stare
But, slow decay, I won't stop fighting you!
Who do you think that is there?
I came to fight; I am in the air
I always fall in these fights, I know why
And from the best strains of life, I don't write
Controlling the age, it takes a toll on my brain
Now who do you think that is there?
Only call them when I know I don't see them
I only call them when I know I don't see them
The lyrics of Interpol's "Who Do You Think?" suggest a struggle against one's own inner demons. The phrase "slow decay" is a metaphor for the slow breakdown of one's mental state, and the fighting spirit is highlighted in the lines "I won't stop fighting you" and "I came to fight; I am in the air." The question, "Who do you think that is there?" creates an atmosphere of confusion and questioning the self, which is reflected in the lines, "I should be young, slow beyond compare" and "Always fall in these fights, I know why."
The chorus "I only call them when I know I don't see them" suggests a fear of solitude, where the person calls upon ghosts from the past to keep them company. The lines "Controlling the age, it takes a toll on my brain" convey the feeling of being weighed down by the pressure of aging and the responsibilities that come with it. Through the song, the singer seems to be in a constant battle with themselves to maintain control, reduce confusion and find the answer to the question, "Who do you think?"
Line by Line Meaning
Slow decay, I won't stop fighting you!
The singer is determined to fight against someone or something that is slowly deteriorating over time.
Who do you think that is there?
The singer is questioning the identity of someone or something that they are encountering or interacting with.
I came to fight; I am in the air
The singer has arrived ready to engage in a physical altercation and feels elevated or empowered in some way.
I know you follow the body; let go now
The artist understands that someone else is focusing on superficial qualities and is urging them to move beyond that fixation.
To the coast of your body we go
The artist is metaphorically journeying to explore the physical nature of someone or something.
I only call them when I know I don't see them
The singer only makes contact with certain people when they are not in their presence due to some reason or another.
I should be young, slow beyond compare
The singer feels like they should still be youthful and vibrant but instead are feeling lethargic and lackadaisical in comparison to others.
Always fall in these fights, I know why
The artist is aware of why they always end up losing in conflicts despite their desire to succeed.
Controlling the age, it takes a toll on my brain
The artist is struggling with the challenges of trying to maintain a certain level of youthfulness or vitality and it's having a negative impact on their mental state.
Mine's a stripe bleeding out of despair
The artist is expressing their sense of hopelessness or desperation through a visual metaphor of a stripe that is bleeding.
To the coast of your body, I won't stop now
The singer is determined to continue exploring the physical aspects of someone or something despite any perceived obstacles or challenges.
You think you can taste or we can make it your own way
The artist is challenging someone's belief that they can control the situation or experience things a certain way.
Oh, how I passed the days
The singer is reminiscing about a past time or experience.
You know how much I care
The singer is affirming that they have a heartfelt investment in someone or something.
Oh, through the wax and wind
The singer is referring to navigating challenges or obstacles through resilience and determination.
You know I will be there
The artist is reassuring someone that they will be present and supportive no matter what.
Oh, that's your faded grace
The artist is commenting on someone's former beauty or elegance that has faded for some reason.
But, slow decay, I won't stop fighting you!
The singer reiterates their refusal to give up or accept defeat against something that is slowly deteriorating over time.
And from the best strains of life, I don't write
The singer is expressing that they don't create or produce from the best moments in life for some reason.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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