During this time he also appeared in regular stints at the Wetlands Preserve. Although still relatively unknown, Devine gained some popularity with his 2003 album, Make the Clocks Move. Newer songs reflect Devine's political views and the recent death of his father to a stroke. He has recorded records for Immigrant Sun Records and Triple Crown Records and has worked with Brooklyn based producer Mike Skinner, who is also credited as the drummer on his solo records as well as the drummer for Miracle of 86. He signed with Capitol Records, who released his fourth album, Put Your Ghost to Rest, on October 17, 2006. Only four months after his major label debut, Devine was dropped from Capitol Records due to EMI merging Virgin and Capitol Records.
Devine was able to gather a strong fan base as a result of his exposure through touring with Brand New. First appearing as their opening act in their 2004 spring tour, Devine made a small splash among their fan base. However, opening for them again in April 2006, and joining their 2007 Spring tour with Manchester Orchestra, Kevin's following was multiplying by the day. (Kevin also opened for Brand New as a surprise act at the Triple Crown Records 10th Anniversary Concert.)
Devine's late 2007 touring schedule included a tour with close friend Jesse Lacey (of Brand New) and Grace Read at the end of July through early August, followed by a short trip to London, a spot on the Austin City Limits Festival, and a tour with Chin Up Chin Up throughout Germany. In October 2007 he toured with Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra and Owen.
Kevin posted numerous demos via his MySpace profile in late 2007/early 2008 and after negotiations with Capitol records, "Put Your Ghost To Rest" was re-released on April 20, 2008 by Procrastinate! Music Traitors.
Kevin toured Europe with Jenny Owen Youngs and Tournaments in May and other tours followed throughout 2008 with Jesse Lacey, Rachael Yamagata and Matt Pryor in August and September 2008.[1]
In late 2008, Kevin announced his new album Brother's Blood would be released in early 2009 on Favorite Gentlemen records, as well as a tour with Manchester Orchestra and the I Could Be With Anyone EP in support of both.
Tapdance
Kevin Devine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You do it so slowly
Do it calm, now
Don't be so angry
I got something
I've been chasing
Every day since I started walking
It just sits here
In the distance
It always flirts with the tips of my fingers
You thought that
You could love it
Until it touched you
And now you just wanna stop it
Well I'm sorry
It's not likely
It was here when you got here
And it'll be here when you're not here no more
And then some days
I get lucky
I can focus and things are less shaky
And I scrape you
Off the pale moon
And I slip you
Into soft shoes
And you tap dance
To a jazz band
On a cruise ship
Near an island
And your hair's up
You wear a short dress
And a wide smile
Your movements are careless
It's a daydream
I keep having
To make the clocks move
While I'm working
Or a bad joke
I can't sit through
And I smile because I feel like I have to
But if you'd look under the table
You'd see I'm playing with my knife
I'm slicing stripes into my kneecaps
And I'm struggling just to come off polite
We could be a snapshot framed and hung like a portrait
What if that's true and I'm the only one who knows it?
The song "Tapdance" by Kevin Devine is a beautiful reflection on the struggle of chasing a dream that always seems just out of reach. The first verse speaks to the frustration of this pursuit, with the singer pleading for the object of their desire to slow down and be less furious. They describe the elusive goal as something they've been after since they started walking, something that teases them but remains just beyond their grasp. The second verse introduces a moment of clarity, where the singer is able to focus and escape into a daydream where their goal is within reach. However, this dream is undercut by the admission that the singer is struggling with their inner demons, cutting into their own body and forcing themselves to be polite when they really just want to lash out.
The final lines of the song bring together both the beauty and the tragedy of this pursuit. The singer wonders if this moment of bliss they've created could be the pinnacle of their life - a snapshot that captures everything they've ever wanted. But then they realize that they might be the only one able to see it. The image may never be captured or celebrated, but it exists within them nonetheless.
Overall, "Tapdance" is a contemplative and poignant song about chasing our dreams and the emotional toll that can take.
Line by Line Meaning
You get back here
Come back to where we are
You do it so slowly
You are returning slowly
Do it calm, now
Come back calmly
Don't be so angry
Come back without being angry
I got something
I have a goal
I've been chasing
I have been pursuing
Every day since I started walking
Since I started walking, I have been pursuing it daily
It just sits here
The goal is stationary
In the distance
It is in the far-off place
It always flirts with the tips of my fingers
I almost reach the goal but never quite catch it
You thought that
You believed that
You could love it
You thought you could love the goal too
Until it touched you
Until you experienced it yourself
And now you just wanna stop it
Now you want to give up on it
Well I'm sorry
I am apologizing
It's not likely
It is improbable
It was here when you got here
The goal existed before you arrived
And it'll be here when you're not here no more
The goal will remain after you leave
And then some days
Occasionally
I get lucky
I am fortunate
I can focus and things are less shaky
I am able to concentrate and things are less uncertain
And I scrape you
I remove you
Off the pale moon
From the surface of the pale moon
And I slip you
I put you
Into soft shoes
Into comfortable shoes
And you tap dance
You start tap dancing
To a jazz band
Accompanied by a jazz band
On a cruise ship
On a boat used for pleasure trips
Near an island
Close to an island
And your hair's up
You have styled your hair upwards
You wear a short dress
You are wearing a short dress
And a wide smile
You smile broadly
Your movements are careless
You are not being careful in your movements
It's a daydream
It is a far-fetched dream
I keep having
I continue to experience
To make the clocks move
To pass the time
While I'm working
While I am doing my job
Or a bad joke
It is like an unpleasant joke
I can't sit through
I cannot endure it
And I smile because I feel like I have to
I smile because I think I am supposed to
But if you'd look under the table
If you looked under the table
You'd see I'm playing with my knife
You would see I am fidgeting with my knife
I'm slicing stripes into my kneecaps
I am cutting lines into my kneecaps
And I'm struggling just to come off polite
I am exerting myself to be courteous
We could be a snapshot framed and hung like a portrait
We could be a picture displayed like art
What if that's true and I'm the only one who knows it?
What if only I know that?
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: KEVIN PATRICK DEVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Puma Thurman
The last two lines are seriously one of the most heartbreaking lyrics I've ever heard.
john Janzzenz
i seriously love this song with all my heart
hawemadeyoulol
This is beautiful
Ghettovet
Why’s my heart been broken for 13 years yikes send help thanks Kevin
john Janzzenz
Zero dislikes that's right!
Devonte Clark
This song gangsta...
faeriekat1
<3