During the band's final years, Murphy was accompanied by Al Doyle (guitar, percussion -- also of Hot Chip), Tyler Pope (!!! / Out Hud) (bass), Nancy Whang (keyboards) and Pat Mahoney (drums). Members that played live with Murphy under the LCD Soundsystem name before this time include Phil Mossman (guitar, percussion) and Phil Skarich (bass).
LCD Soundsystem gained attention with its first single, "Losing My Edge". The song, which sounds like the boastings of a music geek put to an electronic beat, received acclaim in 2002. Murphy released a double album simply titled LCD Soundsystem in February of 2005 to critical acclaim. The first disk of the album contains new music and the second contains re-releases of songs previously released as singles. The opening track "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" entered the UK Top 40 in March 2005.
On December 8, 2005 the group received nominations for two Grammys in the Electronica category for their self-titled album and in the Dance category for "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House". This album was also chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005.
In March 2007, the band released their second album entitled Sound Of Silver. The album has spawned four singles including "North American Scum", "All My Friends", "Someone Great" and "Time To Get Away". Sound Of Silver saw a move towards a more traditional song writing approach whilst still maintaining the production values of their eponymous debut effort. This has resulted in the album appearing in numerous critic's end of year lists and another Grammy nomination for best electronic/dance album of 2007.
On November 18, 2008 Al Doyle seemed to suggest in an interview with 6 Music that the band would soon be discontinued. However, the following day both Doyle and James Murphy quashed this rumor, with Murphy indicating a new LCD Soundsystem album was on the way. Murphy began recording in the summer of 2009 in Los Angeles. Possible song titles mentioned at that time included "Why Do You Hate Music?" and "Love in LA." For the 2009 Record Store Day the band released a cover of Suicide member Alan Vega's song "Bye Bye Bayou".
On February 23, 2010, the official LCD Soundsystem website announced that the album had been completed. The first single was set to be "Drunk Girls" and on March 25, a stream of the song was put on music site One Thirty BPM. The title of the album and the cover were revealed on the DFA site on March 30. The album, titled This Is Happening, was released in the UK on May 17, 2010 and in the US on May 18, 2010. Prior to the release Murphy promised that it will be "definitely better than the other two." Murphy also stated that it was likely to be the last LCD Soundsystem album.
On February 5th, 2011, Murphy announced the band's breakup, citing an interest in pursuing other projects as a record producer. The same day, the band's final performance was announced -- their biggest headlining show ever at New York's Madison Square Garden on April 2nd of 2011. In the show's controversial onsale, the arena sold out in seconds due to scalpers allegedly buying tickets in mass amounts, and denying the opportunity for most fans to buy tickets. After public outrage, the band announced four more shows at New York's Terminal 5, to take place the week before the final show at MSG.
On January 5th, 2016, James announced the band's reunion, a new album to be released 2016, and a tour, "not just playing coachella. we’re playing all over".
Official site: http://lcdsoundsystem.com
On Repeat
LCD Soundsystem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From every car in the street
It's a constant repeat, on repeat
Of your paranoid heartbreaking beats
On repeat
It's a five song repeat beating on me
Your favorite band helps you sleep
From every car in the street
On repeat!
On repeat!
On repeat!
Don't tell nobody what, what you really want because
They can tell everybody else what you really want
Then you're fucked, so act like it's for yourself or it's all yours
And they go and tell everybody else that you're really great
We are just people
You're enfranchised and entrenched
You're enfranchised and entrenched
But know that it's yours!
Real life is a compromise
But your beats are half-assed, streak is beating on me
Well, I'm drinking, the weak is helping me sleep
I wish I could complain more about the rich
But then all their children would run the streets and come to every show
No one wants that
I wish I could complain more about the rich
But then all their children would flee the schools, come to every show
Drugged and unwashed
I wish I could complain more about the rich
But then all their children would line the streets and come to every show
Unwashed and drugged and
Beats are on repeat, beating on me
On your radio
On your radio
On your radio
On your radio
On your radio
On your radio
Beats are on repeat, beating on me
Beats on repeat, beating on me
The song “On Repeat” by LCD Soundsystem is a commentary on modern society’s dependence on technology and the role that music plays in our lives. The repetitive beat that is heard throughout the song is symbolic of the constant barrage of information that we are exposed to on a daily basis, whether it be through social media or the news. The lyrics suggest that this constant “beating” can be exhausting and overwhelming at times.
The song also touches on themes of paranoia and heartbreak, as the singer describes the “paranoid heartbreaking beats” that are constantly playing in their head. This could be interpreted as the singer’s own inner turmoil, or as a metaphor for the negative messages that are often perpetuated in our culture. The phrase “on repeat” is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the cyclical nature of these negative thoughts and emotions.
The final section of the song takes on a more political tone, as the singer reflects on the idea of power and how it is wielded in society. The repetition of the line “I wish I could complain more about the rich” suggests a frustration with the unequal distribution of wealth and privilege, but also a sense of resignation that things will never change. The final repetition of the line “beats on repeat, beating on me” suggests that even as we try to make sense of the chaos around us, we are still at the mercy of the never-ending “beat” of modern life.
Line by Line Meaning
A beat's on repeat, beating on me
From every car in the street
It's a constant repeat, on repeat
Of your paranoid heartbreaking beats
On repeat
The constant stream of music from cars is a reminder of the heartbreak the singer is going through, and serves as a constant beat that he cannot escape from.
It's a five song repeat beating on me
Your favorite band helps you sleep
And here comes the new stylish creep
From every car in the street
On repeat!
On repeat!
On repeat!
The singer is being bombarded by the same songs played repeatedly from cars, and he envies those who can find comfort in listening to their favorite band. However, he is frustrated that the same new and trendy songs are also being played over and over again.
Don't tell nobody what, what you really want because
They can tell everybody else what you really want
Then you're fucked, so act like it's for yourself or it's all yours
And they go and tell everybody else that you're really great
We are just people
The singer warns against revealing one's true desires, as others will use that to manipulate and exploit you. He advises to act as if you are doing things for yourself, as others will still praise and admire you even if they don't know the truth.
You're enfranchised and entrenched
You're enfranchised and entrenched
But know that it's yours!
Real life is a compromise
But your beats are half-assed, streak is beating on me
Well, I'm drinking, the weak is helping me sleep
The singer acknowledges the fact that people are set in their ways and beliefs, but reminds them to take ownership of their choices. He criticizes the lack of effort and creativity in mainstream music, and states that he copes with the constant beat by drinking and finding solace in weak, simple music.
I wish I could complain more about the rich
But then all their children would run the streets and come to every show
No one wants that
I wish I could complain more about the rich
But then all their children would flee the schools, come to every show
Drugged and unwashed
I wish I could complain more about the rich
But then all their children would line the streets and come to every show
Unwashed and drugged and
The singer expresses his desire to criticize the wealthy and privileged, but fears that doing so will only further enable their children to disrupt and intrude upon his music. He imagines scenarios where they would attend his shows in droves, causing chaos and dampening his enjoyment.
Beats are on repeat, beating on me
On your radio
On your radio
On your radio
On your radio
On your radio
On your radio
Beats are on repeat, beating on me
Beats on repeat, beating on me
The constant beat of the repetitive music is all-encompassing, even on the radio, and serves as a painful reminder of the singer's emotional state.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Jeremiah Murphy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind