Through a chance encounter at a Portuguese festival in Lisbon (Lisboa Soundz 2006), where both Amarante (Singer/Guitarist of Los Hermanos) and Moretti (drummer of The Strokes) had performed, the two chatted well through the night and into the morning by the side of the river, humoring the idea of working together on music that had no affiliation to their particular bands.
A year later, Amarante traveled to the United States to record with Devendra Banhart on his Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon album. On the off hours of an arduous recording process, Amarante would meet with Moretti to discuss anything but music.
Binki Shapiro, musician and native of Los Angeles, was introduced to the pair through mutual acquaintances and became a fast friend, encouraging the two to focus on the music they had spoken of long before. Through the process of late night “show-and-tell” the three developed and arranged songs Moretti had begun and soon after started writing original music for the group as a band.
A couple of months later they all moved into a house in Echo Park to demo songs and soon after, with the help of producer Noah Georgeson, who had recorded Banhart’s album, they finished their self-titled debut, Little Joy, named after the cocktail lounge just down the street from their home.
Little Joy was released worldwide by Rough Trade Records, a division of The Beggar’s Group, on Nov. 4th, 2008.
Play The Part
Little Joy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Convinced that it's mine with her
Just to keep her out of mind
Still I'll take care to see
Which way the wind blows
Notice how her hair curls
Who sits to your side
Content to yield despite pride
He is a fool to assume
You'd spare a thought
I'm a thief who's just been caught
And I don't find it funny anymore
And so I won't play the part
I played before
Oh, no, not to you
I don't see you laughing anyway
And so I won't play a part
In your mistake, no way
Not unless you stay
The lyrics of Little Joy's song "Play The Part" conveys the emotions of a man who is trying to move on from a past relationship. He spends time with a new woman but is still haunted by thoughts of his ex-girlfriend. He pays attention to small details like the way his current girlfriend's hair curls, but he ultimately can't get past the fact that he's still thinking about his ex. He disregards the person next to his girlfriend, a clown who he sees as foolish for assuming that she would spare him a single thought.
The singer of this song is putting his foot down and refusing to play the same part in a new relationship that he played in the last one. He was caught being a "thief" in his previous relationship and he's not interested in making the same mistake twice. The singer is feeling vulnerable and hesitant to engage further with his new partner as he doesn't want to repeat his past mistakes. He wants to make it clear that he won't play a part in someone else's mistake, and not unless they decide to stay.
In summary, "Play the Part" expresses a vulnerable heartbreak and the songwriter's commitment to not repeat past mistakes in new relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Spending time
Passing time, aimlessly wandering through life
Convinced that it's mine with her
Thinking I've found my soulmate
Just to keep her out of mind
Trying to forget someone by distracting myself with another person
Still I'll take care to see
I'll keep an eye on you
Which way the wind blows
To see which way your feelings will go
Notice how her hair curls
Observing the little details about you
Pay no mind to the clown
Ignore the foolish person next to you
Who sits to your side
The person who is currently closer to you
Content to yield despite pride
Willing to give in despite feeling hurt or embarrassed
He is a fool to assume
He foolishly believes
You'd spare a thought
You would consider his feelings
I'm a thief who's just been caught
I've been caught in my own deception
And I don't find it funny anymore
I don't find my own lying amusing anymore
And so I won't play the part
I won't pretend to be someone I'm not
I played before
I won't repeat my mistakes
Oh, no, not to you
Especially not to you
I don't see you laughing anyway
I don't see you enjoying my facade anyway
And so I won't play a part
I won't pretend anymore
In your mistake, no way
I won't be complicit in your mistake
Not unless you stay
Unless you commit to me completely
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FABRIZIO MORETTI, JORDANA SHAPIRO, RODRIGO AMARANTE NEVES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Muhammad -
Spending time
Convinced that it's mine with her
Just to keep her out of mind
Still I'll take care to see
Which way the wind blows
Notice how her hair curls
Pay no mind to the clown
Who sits to your side
Content to yield despite pride
He is a fool to assume
You'd spare a thought
I'm a thief who's just been caught
And I don't find it funny anymore
And so I won't play the part
I played before
Oh, no, not to you
I don't see you laughing anyway
And so I won't play a part
In your mistake, no way
Not unless you stay
Vitoria Sales
Fazer O Papel
Gastando tempo
Convencido de que sou eu com ela
Apenas para mantê-la fora da minha mente
Eu ainda tomarei cuidado em ver
De que forma o vento sopra
Observar como seu cabelo ondula
Não faça caso
Ao palhaço que senta ao seu lado
Satisfeito em entregar-se apesar do orgulho
Ele é um trouxa em assumir que você iria dividir um pensamento
Eu sou um um ladrão que acaba de ser pêgo
E eu não acho mais isso engraçado.
E então eu não irei fazer o papel
Que eu fiz antes
Ah, não...
Não a você.
Eu não a vejo rindo, de qualquer forma
E então eu não irei ter um papel
Em seu erro
De jeito nenhum
A não ser que você fique.
Lali Diaz
Weird to see great bands like these have such little views.... and comments lol. I discovered you guys through Whip It. Please continue making beautiful music like this.
Fitri Ainun Widianingrum
Its called treasures, not everyone can find this kinda music. They are treasures.
Soledad Peñaloza
Me too, with "Unattainable" that is played in the movie... Sad they haven't recorded anything new :(
Muhammad -
Spending time
Convinced that it's mine with her
Just to keep her out of mind
Still I'll take care to see
Which way the wind blows
Notice how her hair curls
Pay no mind to the clown
Who sits to your side
Content to yield despite pride
He is a fool to assume
You'd spare a thought
I'm a thief who's just been caught
And I don't find it funny anymore
And so I won't play the part
I played before
Oh, no, not to you
I don't see you laughing anyway
And so I won't play a part
In your mistake, no way
Not unless you stay
Vitoria Sales
Fazer O Papel
Gastando tempo
Convencido de que sou eu com ela
Apenas para mantê-la fora da minha mente
Eu ainda tomarei cuidado em ver
De que forma o vento sopra
Observar como seu cabelo ondula
Não faça caso
Ao palhaço que senta ao seu lado
Satisfeito em entregar-se apesar do orgulho
Ele é um trouxa em assumir que você iria dividir um pensamento
Eu sou um um ladrão que acaba de ser pêgo
E eu não acho mais isso engraçado.
E então eu não irei fazer o papel
Que eu fiz antes
Ah, não...
Não a você.
Eu não a vejo rindo, de qualquer forma
E então eu não irei ter um papel
Em seu erro
De jeito nenhum
A não ser que você fique.
Rafael Dauer
💜🖤💚
T Ander
Love this album. Sad they never put out a second. :/
Naoki Hikari
This is a relaxing good song. Hope it got more views!
FR
for me personally this song so relaxing just like I'm flow into it
Daisy Morales
Beautiful song