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
Tap Dancer
Local Natives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quiet when the crowd's gone, deafening
And he sits down in a darkening room
And he turns off the TV
I don't know
Everything was easier before
Take me back
(I don't know)
(Everything was easier before)
(Before I knew of artificial roses)
(I don't know)
(Everything was easier before)
(Before I knew of artificial roses)
I wish there was magic
Every day
I wish it was different
Not the same
It's a tap dance to you
It's a minefield to me
And I'm watching
Every step
I don't know
Everything was easier before
Take me back
Before I knew of artificial roses
I don't know
Everything was easier before
Take me back
Before I knew of artificial roses
(I don't know)
(Everything was easier before)
(Before I knew of artificial roses)
(I don't know)
(Everything was easier before)
(Before I knew of artificial roses)
Hello shoppers
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The prices you want and the brand names you trust
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You'll also find first-quality name-brand athletic footwear
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to Reebok, and Adidas to Nike
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Of hi-top and low-top sneakers from Converse and Keds
Visit the shoe department today and save
The lyrics of "Tap Dancer" by Local Natives convey a sense of longing for a simpler time, when everything was easier and before the singer became aware of the artificial nature of certain aspects of life. The opening lines of the song depict a champion on the podium, basking in the glory of a win, yet feeling empty and deafened by the absence of the crowd. This suggests that external validation and success do not necessarily bring fulfillment. The image of the champion sitting in a darkening room and turning off the TV signifies a desire to escape from the noise and distractions of the world, seeking peace and clarity.
The repeated refrain of "I don't know, everything was easier before, take me back before I knew of artificial roses" further emphasizes this longing for simplicity and authenticity. The artificial roses symbolize the facade and superficiality that the singer has become aware of, yearning for a return to a time when they were blissfully unaware.
The second part of the song introduces a jarring shift in tone with a spoken advertisement for shoes, seemingly unrelated to the previous introspective lyrics. This could be seen as a commentary on the consumerist nature of society and the constant bombardment of advertisements, which further contribute to the artificiality and distraction the singer is trying to escape from.
Line by Line Meaning
Champion on the podium, another win
Being successful and achieving victories consistently
Quiet when the crowd's gone, deafening
Finding solace in the silence after experiencing overwhelming noise
And he sits down in a darkening room
Retreating to a secluded space, creating a somber atmosphere
And he turns off the TV
Escaping from the distractions of the outside world
I don't know
Expressing confusion and uncertainty
Everything was easier before
Reflecting on a time when life was simpler and less complicated
Take me back
Longing to return to the past
Before I knew of artificial roses
Before discovering the deceit and falsehood in certain aspects of life
I wish there was magic
Desiring the existence of extraordinary and enchanting experiences
Every day
On a regular basis
I wish it was different
Yearning for change and variation
Not the same
Seeking uniqueness and diversity
It's a tap dance to you
To you, everything appears effortless and graceful
It's a minefield to me
To me, every step feels precarious and filled with danger
And I'm watching
Vigilantly observing and monitoring
Every step
Every action taken
Hello shoppers
Greeting customers in a retail setting
Visit our shoe department for the quality you need
Encouraging customers to explore the shoe section for high-quality products
The prices you want and the brand names you trust
Promising competitive prices and reliable brands
For hunting, hiking, working, everything
Offering footwear suitable for various activities
Look for good values on men's outdoor boots from Texas Steer and Northwest Territory
Highlighting affordable options for durable men's boots from specific brands
You'll also find first-quality name-brand athletic footwear
Assuring the availability of high-quality athletic shoes from renowned brands
From Jordache
Including products from the brand Jordache
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Kelcey Paul Ayer, Matthew James Frazier, Nik Ewing, Ryan Clinton Hahn, Taylor David Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
El Plopsma
Amazing song about memories from the past.
'Champion on the podium, another win
Quiet when the crowd's gone, deafening
And he sits down in a darkening room
And he turns off the TV
I don't know
Everything was easier before
Take me back
Before I knew of artificial roses
I wish there was magic
Every day
I wish it was different
Not the same
It's a tap dance to you
It's a minefield to me
And I'm watching
Every step
I don't know
Everything was easier before
Take me back
Before I knew of artificial roses
I don't know
Everything was easier before
Take me back
Before I knew of artificial roses
Hello shoppers
Visit our shoe department for the quality you need
The prices you want and the brand names you trust
For hunting, hiking, working, everything
Look for good values on men's outdoor boots from Texas Steer and Northwest Territory
You'll also find first-quality name-brand athletic footwear
From Jordache'
TheCrayTrey
Champion on the podium, another win
Quiet when the crowd's gone, deafening
And he sits down in a darkening room
And he turns off the TV
I don't know
Everything was easier before
Take me back
Before I knew of artificial roses
I wish there was magic
Every day
I wish it was different
Not the same
It's a tap dance to you
It's a minefield to me
And I'm watching
Every step
I don't know
Everything was easier before
Take me back
Before I knew of artificial roses
I don't know
Everything was easier before
Take me back
Before I knew of artificial roses
DanceOn
This is absolutely incredible and so beautiful, we can't wait for the new album!
Jules Engel
i've been a fan of Local Natives since i was in middle school. i remember listening to Gorilla Manor on the bus on the way to school at 6am when the sun was just rising and the roads were covered in mist. i'm 22 now and i feel so grateful to have grown up with their music and this sound. every single one of their songs is an experience and an expression of something so human and wonderful. thank you, Local Natives. you guys are still killing it.
antlerman
That was very wholesome.
Charlie Koszulinski
Jules Engel
I first heard of Local Natives through my older siblings. I remember listening to Sun Hands during the summer I graduated eighth grade and transitioned to a freshman in high school. I was sad to say goodbye to my old friends, but at the same time, it was a great summer a lot of other reasons. Very memorable.
I never listened to the entirety of Hummingbird, just two songs. I gave it another try recently, but it still escapes me. I’ll have to give it another listen for sure.
Both Sunlit Youth and Violet Street flew under the radar for me. I only discovered them this year as a matter of fact. Sunlit Youth was the soundtrack for my summer and Violet Street for my winter. Both amazing albums. I gotta say Shy is my favorite song on Violet Street. So powerful and that brass section is stunning!
Jimmy B
Isn’t it so incredible the way the music makes you feel? It reminds me of super early morning rolling around in bed (hummingbird) at least lol but I have specific songs for moments and times and then I make more new ones and I’ve never felt this way about any other music before really of course there is a song here or there that defines a moment for me but not whole albums lol
p b
I will always remember the feeling of being 17 and feeling unstoppable while "Who Know Who Cares" played in the back while driving during the cooler nights of summer.
Adi
"I don't know, everything was easier before"
This hit freaking hard. And that minor key in between the bridge. Goooood god this song is beautiful
Cedilein
This is actually really artful, not only the music itself, but the video just explains so much just because of this excellent dancer. More of that please - can't wait for the album!
denny
She is not only a great dancer but a Dynamic performer. Such amazing expressions and muscle control! So excited for this Album you guys❤️ see u in Portland.
DocM
Such a soothing and moving track!!! Local Natives really hit you where no one else could, they got a special vibe to their music that can't be copied! They are true Indy legends!! And legends overall!!!