After the three founding members originally met in high school, a bassist and a drummer were found, and they all moved to a house in Silver Lake in 2008 to record their album. Their debut album as Local Natives, "Gorilla Manor", was released in the UK on November 2nd, 2009, and saw a US release date of February 16th, 2010. The band's sound has been described as "afropop-influenced guitars with hyperactive drumming and hooky three-part harmonies". They started to attract the attention of the music press after playing nine shows at the 2009 SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Initial reviews of Local Natives have drawn favourable comparisons to Arcade Fire, Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend.
Utilizing lots of vocal harmonies and drifting, dreamlike melodies, Local Natives have an intricate sound based around the delicate interconnectedness of all of their parts. This gives the band a sound that is able to be orchestral while still feeling understated, evoking the carefully assembled pop of Grizzly Bear. Their debut, Gorilla Manor, arrived in 2009 through U.K. label Infectious Records (with a domestic release coming by way of Frenchkiss in 2010). In 2011, Andy Hamm left Local Natives, leaving them to continue on as a quartet. In 2013, the band returned with its sophomore album, Hummingbird, featuring the single "Breakers".
Official website: http://www.localnatives.com
Café Amarillo
Local Natives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waking up to the sound of your voice
Digitized and distraught
I was halfway to Calais from Dover
When the word had finally come over
Thought we said never again?
Ooh my love, can't believe
I couldn't fall asleep
And it's raining on both ends of the phone
You're in the lobby and I'm on my way home
But there's no shelter without you there
Some things are so simple
They're impossible to explain
The Café Amarillo
Stay dry when you're caught in the rain
We're caught in the rain
I don't wanna die before I learn to live
Looking for my exits
Still so bad at making plans I plan to keep
How long has it been?
And it's raining on both ends of the phone
You're in the lobby and I'm on my way home
But there's no shelter without you there
Some things are so simple
They're impossible to explain
You can't unpull a trigger
Or stay dry when you're caught in the rain
We're caught in the rain
I long for when the sun was in our eyes
One day, forever
The sun in our eyes
"Café Amarillo" by Local Natives is a contemplative and introspective song that delves into themes of longing, distance, and the complexities of relationships. The lyrics convey the emotions and thoughts of the singer, reflecting on a past love and the struggles they face in their current situation.
The opening lines, "Oh my love, I remember / Waking up to the sound of your voice / Digitized and distraught," depict a moment of nostalgia, where the singer recalls waking up to the voice of their beloved. However, there is an undertone of sadness and disarray, as the voice is described as "digitized and distraught," suggesting a sense of distance and detachment in their communication.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals their separation, mentioning being halfway between Calais and Dover and receiving some significant news, possibly related to their estranged relationship. The line "Thought we said never again?" reveals a sense of disappointment and questioning, implying that they had hoped to avoid this situation but find themselves in it once more.
The chorus introduces the metaphor of the "Café Amarillo," which symbolizes a place of solace and refuge amidst the turmoil. The lyrics "Some things are so simple / They're impossible to explain / The Café Amarillo / Stay dry when you're caught in the rain" imply that despite the complexities of their relationship, there are some moments of clarity and simplicity that offer respite, just like finding shelter from a rainstorm in the cafe. It suggests that even though their situation may be difficult, there are still moments of comfort they can hold onto.
Amidst their contemplation, the singer expresses their fear of missing out on life or not fully experiencing it. The line "I don't wanna die before I learn to live" conveys their desire to make the most of the present and overcome their struggles. They also acknowledge their shortcomings in making plans and committing to them, indicating a sense of personal growth and self-reflection.
The final verses continue to reflect on the past and the overwhelming longing for the happier times they shared. The line "I long for when the sun was in our eyes / One day, forever / The sun in our eyes" paints a vivid image of a nostalgic memory, when everything felt bright and optimistic. It highlights the yearning for that blissful connection they once had.
Overall, "Café Amarillo" explores the complexities of relationships and the emotional journey of longing for a lost love. It reflects on the difficulties of distance and the search for solace in moments of turmoil, all the while expressing a desire for personal growth and a longing for a past happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my love, I remember
My beloved, I have vivid memories
Waking up to the sound of your voice
Being awakened by the gentle sound of your voice
Digitized and distraught
Feeling emotionally overwhelmed in a digital world
I was halfway to Calais from Dover
I was in the midst of a journey, unsure of my direction
When the word had finally come over
When the news finally reached me
Thought we said never again?
Didn't we promise not to repeat this?
Ooh my love, can't believe
Oh my love, I find it hard to believe
The headline crawls across the screen
The attention-grabbing headline moves slowly across the screen
I couldn't fall asleep
I struggled to find sleep
And it's raining on both ends of the phone
Both of us feel emotional turmoil and distance
You're in the lobby and I'm on my way home
You wait for me in the lobby while I'm heading back
But there's no shelter without you there
The absence of your presence leaves me vulnerable and unprotected
Some things are so simple
Certain things in life are incredibly straightforward
They're impossible to explain
Yet, they defy any logical explanation
The Café Amarillo
The Amber Cafe
Stay dry when you're caught in the rain
Find solace even amidst difficult circumstances
We're caught in the rain
We find ourselves trapped in a challenging situation
I don't wanna die before I learn to live
I am afraid of dying without truly experiencing life
Looking for my exits
Seeking a way out or an escape
Still so bad at making plans I plan to keep
I struggle to make commitments or follow through with my intentions
How long has it been?
I wonder about the passage of time and how much has elapsed
I long for when the sun was in our eyes
I yearn for the past when happiness filled our lives
One day, forever
Hoping for a future where our love lasts eternally
The sun in our eyes
The warmth and brightness of love illuminating our lives
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Kelcey Ayer, Nik Ewing, Matt Frazier, Ryan Hahn, Taylor Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
eFFeX Productions
Oh my love, I remember
Waking up to the sound of your voice
Digitized and distraught
I was halfway to Calais from Dover
When the word had finally come over
Thought we said never again?
Ooh my love, can't believe
The headline crawls across the screen
I couldn't fall asleep
And it's raining on both ends of the phone
You're in the lobby and I'm on my way home
But there's no shelter without you there
Some things are so simple
They're impossible to explain
The Café Amarillo
Stay dry when you're caught in the rain
We're caught in the rain
I don't wanna die before I learn to live
Looking for my exits
Still so bad at making plans I plan to keep
How long has it been?
And it's raining on both ends of the phone
You're in the lobby and I'm on my way home
But there's no shelter without you there
Some things are so simple
They're impossible to explain
You can't unpull a trigger
Or stay dry when you're caught in the rain
We're caught in the rain
I long for when the sun was in our eyes
One day, forever
The sun in our eyes
DanceswW
Oh my love, I remember
Waking up to the sound of your voice
Digitized and distraught
I was halfway to Calais from Dover
When the word had finally come over
Thought we said never again?
Ooh my love, can't believe
The headline crawls across the screen
I couldn't fall asleep
And it's raining on both ends of the phone
You're in the lobby and I'm on my way home
But there's no shelter without you there
Some things are so simple
They're impossible to explain
The Café Amarillo
Stay dry when you're caught in the rain
We're caught in the rain
I don't wanna die before I learn to live
Looking for my exits
Still so bad at making plans I plan to keep
How long has it been?
And it's raining on both ends of the phone
You're in the lobby and I'm on my way home
But there's no shelter without you there
Some things are so simple
They're impossible to explain
You can't unpull a trigger
Or stay dry when you're caught in the rain
We're caught in the rain
I long for when the sun was in our eyes
One day, forever
The sun in our eyes
DanceOn
Thank you for this beautiful song, we can't wait for the Palladium show in LA, your music changed our lives!
Graciela Villa
“ I don’t wanna die, before I learn to live” 💓 I love this band!
TrasshKingg but on YouTube
It seems the 4th album is going to be as phenomenal as the last! It's gonna be hard to beat Gorilla Manor for me but this promising!!
Thank you Local Natives
Eyewanders Foto
@Cristian Montoya I very much appreciate Hummingbird but I've never loved it. Gorilla lives on in my mind for eternity. All their albums have had something to love - but the debut was fire in a bottle.
Cristian Montoya
Ricky Ricardo gorilla manor has more bangers, hummingbird their best album but gorilla manor resonated with more fans especially if they’ve been there since the beginning
Ben Spieler
Haha^^^^
Ricky Ricardo
that's a funny way of spellling Hummingbird
Joey
It's about time for a new song! Love Local Natives a lot!
Ulises Orchani
Definitely, one of the most underrated bands in the US. But as always the really good isn´t popular. Greetings from Argentina.
F. Giobbe
First listen I was like "mmm"...first seconds of second listen I went like "WOW". The song is getting under the skin soon...can't wait for the whole record to be out! Hope you guys will be back to Italy one day. I saw you in Rome, first row, and it was GREAT!!!