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.
We'll Do It So You Don't Have To
Islands Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Until you've found it
Don't be frightened
Hold it tight
And your grip wears off
Slips through your fingers
So we have to do it now
Calm the children
A song to soothe them
Don't choke on the note
Hold it tight
But your grip wears off
Slips through your fingers
You choked on the note
Couldn't hold it right
So we have to do it now
You lie down
Crippled arms don't work no more
But I'm not so sure they worked before
Caught out in the rain
Carried down the drain
But still you always aimed to please
Straightened up and bent your knees
I feel you unscrew
So we'll do it for you
The song "We'll Do It So You Don't Have To" by Islands speaks about helping and supporting someone who is struggling to hold on to something. The opening lines instruct the listener to find what they are looking for by cutting around it until it is found. The lyrics then suggest not to be afraid and to hold onto the thing tightly. However, the song then reveals that sometimes that grip wears off, and the object can slip through your fingers. The chorus then repeats, "So we have to do it now, you go lie down."
The following verses suggest that sometimes the person needs to rest or be calmed, but their grip wears off again. They choke on a note, and the object slips away. The song suggests that if someone is no longer able to hold onto what they aimed to please, don't worry. The line "Crippled arms don't work no more, but I'm not so sure they worked before" implies that the person may have been struggling for a while. However, there is still a desire to help and do things for them. The song concludes with "So we'll do it for you."
Overall, the lyrics seem to reveal that the person being helped is struggling to hold onto something important to them. While the exact object is not revealed, it could be a symbol for any aspect of their life that they are trying to cling to. The song expresses a desire to support and care for the person when their grip wears off, suggesting that the people around them are aware of their struggle and want to help in any way possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Cut around it
Begin the process of searching for what needs to be done
Until you've found it
Continue searching until you have located what needs to be done
Don't be frightened
Do not be afraid to face the task at hand
Hold it tight
Make sure to keep a firm grip as to not let the task slip away
And your grip wears off
As time goes by, your grasp on the task may start to slip
Slips through your fingers
The task may become harder to control and manage
So we have to do it now
It is time for someone else to take over and complete the task
You go lie down
Relax and let someone else take care of the task for you
Calm the children
Try to ease the anxiety of those around you
A song to soothe them
Use music to help calm those who are worried
Don't choke on the note
Make sure your actions do not hinder the progress
Hold it tight
Stay focused and committed to completing the task at hand
You choked on the note
Your actions caused a setback and prevented progress
Couldn't hold it right
It was difficult to keep everything under control
Crippled arms don't work no more
Your ability to complete the task is limited or diminished
But I'm not so sure they worked before
There may have been issues with completing the task even before your limitations
Caught out in the rain
Unexpected events have made things more difficult
Carried down the drain
Progress has been lost due to unforeseen issues
But still you always aimed to please
Despite the difficulties, you tried to do your best to make others happy
Straightened up and bent your knees
You prepared yourself to complete the task, even if it was difficult
I feel you unscrew
You are beginning to come undone due to the task
So we'll do it for you
It is time for someone else to take over and complete the task on your behalf
Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Big Donrock
I think it's bless
Corey Paul
A toothpick...really?
Sean Freudenberg
someone get the hair off his chin please