Hailing from Montreal, Canada, Islands is a 6 piece band founded in 2005 by The Unicorns co-founder/songwriter Nick Thorburn (often performing as "Nick Diamonds") and drummer J'Aime Tambeur. Following the untimely disbandment of The Unicorns as they teetered on the brink of breaking through, Islands' debut release entitled Return to the Sea, with its quirky sounds and refreshing, catchy melodies includes collaborations with members of Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade. This debut picks up where The Unicorns left off and takes the music to new heights without departing from The Unicorns' unique if sometimes peculiar appeal.
Islands plays beautiful pop melodies, intertwined with elements of afro-pop, hip hop, and indie rock, among others. One of the main gimmicks of the band is the recorder brought over from The Unicorns, which is prominently featured in the song "Jogging Gorgeous Summer." Nick Diamonds rules over the band with an iron fist. Other members include: Patrice Agbokou, Aaron Harris, Alex Chow, Sebastian Chow, and Patrick Gregoire. Return To the Sea, their rookie effort, was released on April 4th, 2006 on the brand new label, Equator Records, and Rough Trade in the UK. Digital Distribution handled by Alpha Pup.
On May 20, 2008, Islands released its second album, Arm's Way, on Anti- Records.
On September 22, 2009 Islands released their third full length album, Vapours.
On February 14, 2012 Islands released their fourth full length album, A Sleep & A Forgetting.
On September 17, 2013 Islands released their fifth full length album, Ski Mask
On May 13, 2016 Islands released their sixth and seventh full length albums, Should I Remain Here, At Sea? and Taste.
Don't Call Me Whitney Bobby
Islands Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not the milk you seek
It's the sun you need
And the sleek sleek skeleton I hold
Where are the hidden folds
Where's the meat that you eat
Total boy
Sometimes they make me sorry
I need another
I need another
Sugar doughnut and muffin baby
This world is going crazy
I think I'm through listening to you
Bones bones brittle little bones
Its not the milk you see
Its just the sun you need
And the sleek sleek skeleton I hold
Where are the hidden folds
Where is the meat that you eat
Gonna make some plans
Wait and see
Turn it off
Turn me on
Open your eyes look around you
Fuck what you heard
You were lied to
Sweetheart
Sick body part
Sickheart
Sweet body part
Bones, bones brittle little bones
Its not the milk you seek
Its the sun you need
And the sleek sleek skeleton I hold
Where are the hidden folds
Where's the meat that you eat
The lyrics of Islands' song, "Don't Call Me Whitney Bobby," are open to interpretation, but they seem to touch on themes of identity and self-discovery. The repeated lines "bones, bones brittle little bones" hint at a sense of fragility or vulnerability, and the singer seems to be searching for something deeper than what is superficially available. This is expressed through the line "It's not the milk you seek, it's the sun you need" - perhaps a metaphor for seeking more meaningful experiences or a sense of purpose.
The "sleek sleek skeleton" the singer holds could represent an inner core, an identity or sense of self that is not readily visible on the surface. The repeated question "Where are the hidden folds, where's the meat that you eat" suggests a desire to uncover these hidden aspects of oneself.
The song's chorus expresses a sense of frustration with the world and a desire for change. The singer declares, "This world is going crazy, I think I'm through listening to you." The repeated line "turn it off, turn me on" could be a call to shut out the noise of the outside world and connect with one's inner self, while "open your eyes look around you, fuck what you heard, you were lied to" seems to call for a rejection of external influences and a reliance on one's own intuition.
Overall, "Don't Call Me Whitney Bobby" hints at a journey of self-discovery and a struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world.
Line by Line Meaning
Bones, bones brittle little bones
The fragility of bones is being referenced as a metaphor for the frailty of human emotions and relationships.
It's not the milk you seek
The literal meaning of milk is replaced with the idea of sustenance and comfort, indicating that the singer believes there's a deeper need that's not being addressed.
It's the sun you need
The singer believes that the person being addressed needs something more profound and impactful than just surface-level nourishment
And the sleek, sleek skeleton I hold
The artist is holding an idealized version of a person that they desire, one that represents everything that they think is missing in the addressed person.
Where are the hidden folds
The addressed person might be hiding something or keeping part of themselves concealed, preventing them from showing all their potential.
Where's the meat that you eat
A metaphor for getting to the core of someone, exploring what really drives them and fulfills them.
Total boy tells me stories
This person is in a relationship with someone who thinks they have all the answers, but often they end up being wrong and hurting their partner as a result.
Sometimes they make me sorry
This person is beginning to doubt the things their partner says and feels guilty for allowing themselves to be swayed by them.
I need another sugar doughnut and muffin baby
The artist is seeking comfort food, something that will make them feel good and satisfy them, but not something that will address the deeper problems in their life.
This world is going crazy
The artist feels overwhelmed and like everything is out of control, possibly due to the problems in their relationship or personal life.
I think I'm through listening to you
The singer has lost faith in their partner and is done trying to listen to their advice or opinions.
Gonna make some plans, wait and see
The artist is taking control of their life and making plans for their future, but they're cautious and want to see how things develop before committing fully.
Turn it off, turn me on
The singer is seeking an escape from reality, either through physical pleasure or by turning off distractions and focusing on what they want.
Open your eyes, look around you
The singer is encouraging the addressed person to take stock of their surroundings and realize that there's more to their life and relationships than they may currently see.
Fuck what you heard, you were lied to
The singer is challenging the addressed person's assumptions and worldview, implying that they've been misled or not shown the whole picture.
Sweetheart, sick body part
A reference to the common phrase 'heart and soul', the artist is presenting the idea that the two are intertwined and that without one the other cannot function fully.
Sickheart, sweet body part
A flipped version of the previous line, implying that the two can also be dysfunctional, possibly in the context of an unhealthy relationship.
Bones, bones brittle little bones
Recurring metaphor for the fragility of human emotions and relationships.
Its not the milk you seek
Reiterated idea that the addressed person has a deeper need that's not being met by surface level comforts and support.
Its just the sun you need
Reiterated idea that the addressed person requires something more profound, impactful and transformative.
And the sleek, sleek skeleton I hold
Reiterated idea that the artist is holding an idealized version of the person they desire.
Where are the hidden folds
Reiterated idea that the addressed person might be hiding something or preventing themselves from showing all their potential.
Where's the meat that you eat
Reiterated metaphor for exploring the deeper motivations and desires of the addressed person.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Nicholas Shanahan Thorburn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind