Manchester Orchestra has released several extended plays and six studio albums: I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child (2006), Mean Everything to Nothing (2009), Simple Math (2011), Cope (2014) (as well as its accompanying acoustic version, Hope), A Black Mile To The Surface (2017), and The Million Masks of God (2021). They are signed to independent record label Favorite Gentlemen Recordings, which is distributed through Sony Music Entertainment, and Loma Vista Recordings.
Manchester Orchestra originated in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. They are named after the English city Manchester, a place rich in musical history (The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Joy Division, Oasis, New Order, Happy Mondays). Feeling increasingly alienated at his "small-town-Georgia, Christian high school", Hull became so frustrated that he spent his senior year studying at home. Early in their career, the band recorded an album entitled Nobody Sings Anymore. However, it was never released due to the shift in the band's musical direction and personal changes undergone following its recording. The band stated that "the band that made the record was different to the band now." Some of the tracks written for the album were released instead on the EP You Brainstorm, I Brainstorm, but Brilliance Needs a Good Editor.
Following You Brainstorm, I Brainstorm, but Brilliance Needs a Good Editor, Manchester Orchestra recorded and released their debut album I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child. This album gained the attention of the music industry, and eventually led to their signing with Canvasback. The album was released nationwide July 27, 2007. Guitarist Robert McDowell did not appear on this album. The song Wolves At Night was featured in the video game NHL 08.
In October of 2008 the band recorded their second EP, Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind, with producer Dan Hannon and engineer Brad Fisher. It was released October 7, 2008.
In early September 2008, the band announced on their Myspace blog that they had begun recording their second album entitled Mean Everything to Nothing with producer Joe Chicarrelli (The Shins, My Morning Jacket). On February 4, 2009, the band posted a link to a free download of the single I've Got Friends and performed an acoustic version at The Fly’s In The Courtyard Sessions. The album was released April 21, 2009.
On January 26, 2010, the band released a digital split EP with Kevin Devine entitled I Could Be The Only One. Following the release of the Manchester Orchestra/Kevin Devine split EP, it was announced that Kevin Devine would record a full-length album along with the members of Manchester Orchestra later that year, with half the album written by Devine and half by Andy Hull. On April 10, 2010, it was announced the new project's name was Bad Books, and that the album would be released under that moniker, and not "Manchester Orchestra + Kevin Devine" as previously speculated. The self-titled full-length Bad Books album was digitally released on October 19, 2010, and on CD on November 9, 2010.
On March 2010, in an interview with the Dallas Observer, Hull mentioned that the band had begun work on a follow up to 2009's Mean Everything to Nothing tentatively entitled Let Go of Your Sorrowful Groaning. He also said that the band have around 34 songs they are demoing and that in writing this album he was imagining a "spiritual miscarriage". Later that year in an interview with Rip It Up magazine, the band announced that they were in the middle of recording their third full-length album. Although without a title, they explained that the album was completely different to anything they had released in the past. The album was being recorded with Dan Hannon and balanced between Blackbird Studios (Nashville, TN) and their own Favorite Gentlemen Studios (Atlanta, GA).
On October 23, 2010, during an appearance at Radio 104.5 in Philadelphia, following a Bad Books show in support of their recently released self-titled debut album, Manchester Orchestra debuted an acoustic version of the title track of their new album, Simple Math. Originally scheduled for release in March 2011, the band announced in January of 2011 that their third full-length studio album, Simple Math, would be released on May 10, 2011, as well as announcing the album's tracklist and revealing that the album was set to be a concept album.
For more info, check out their official site: http://www.themanchesterorchestra.com/ca/home
100 Dollars
Manchester Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stacked up on top of a picture of me
When I tried to call no one answered
It's not even that I'm all angry
Just want to know why you would do this thing
You said there's an understanding
I just wanted you to feel at home
And that's why I am fine, I am fine, I am fine, I am fine
I just need 100 dollars
I am fine, I am fine, I am fine, I am fine
I just need 100 dollars
From you and you and you and you and you
Woo hoo
The lyrics of Manchester Orchestra's song "100 Dollars" tell a story of a person who is struggling emotionally after a breakup. The first few lines of the song paint a picture of the singer's loneliness, as they try to call someone but nobody answers. The stack of women's magazines on top of a picture of the singer suggests a sense of detachment and isolation.
The song then moves on to the singer's feelings towards their ex-partner, who they question about their behavior. They indicate that there was an "understanding" between them, but they cannot fathom why their partner would have acted in such a way. The singer tries to create a welcoming and homely atmosphere by offering a small dog in the kitchen, but their attempts go unnoticed.
The refrain of the song repeats the phrase "I am fine, I just need 100 dollars" several times, which suggests that the singer is trying to convince themselves and others that they are okay. The repetition of the phrase also emphasizes the need for money as a way to move on from their current situation. The final line of the song, "From you and you and you and you and you," indicates that the singer may be reaching out to multiple people for financial help.
Overall, the song captures the complex emotions that come with heartbreak and the struggle to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Several women's magazines
A collection of magazines meant for women, found on top of a picture of the singer.
Stacked up on top of a picture of me
The magazines were piling high on a picture of the singer, making him feel insignificant.
When I tried to call no one answered
The singer tried to reach out to someone for answers, but couldn't get through to anyone.
It's not even that I'm all angry
The singer isn't necessarily angry, but just wants some clarity and understanding.
Just want to know why you would do this thing
The singer is seeking an explanation for someone's actions that have left him confused and hurt.
You said there's an understanding
The singer had previously been told that there was a mutual understanding, but is now feeling like that's not the case.
And I offered you a small dog in the kitchen
The singer extended a warm gesture by offering a small dog in the kitchen, in hopes of making someone feel at home.
I just wanted you to feel at home
The singer had good intentions, hoping to create a welcoming environment for someone but it didn't seem to have worked.
And that's why I am fine, I am fine, I am fine, I am fine
Despite things not working out, the singer tries to convince himself and others that he is fine and everything is ok.
I just need 100 dollars
The singer realizes that money can solve some short term problems and challenges, and it's all he needs right now.
From you and you and you and you and you
The singer is reaching out to multiple people for help, each of which who can provide a small contribution towards his need of 100 dollars.
Woo hoo
An enthusiastic exclamation to finish off the song and express some sort of positivity amidst the difficult situation.
Contributed by Ava L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Greengulchleaves
A few years back I tried to run away, and almost made it. All I had was this song along with the rest of this cd on my broken ipod. I've got to say, if I ever do successfully get away, I'd take this album with me again
@dalekay9ine
Hope you finally got away man.
@antoniopetrone5336
Underated ass song boys. Y’all deserve more credit
@ElleMeditates
1 minute and 43 seconds just isn't enough.
@JoshWeisenberger
If this isn't chilling then I don't know what is.
@WhyHowNow
I NEED THIS TO BE AT LEAST 5 MINUTES LONGER
@othaka666
I like this song because of the emotion. The brief overview of his rough past and at the end, he doesn't want any help, but he's reached such a down point, he needs to scrape up money from his family. You can here the shame in himself, yet the sense of in independence, trying to keep his dignity. Or at least thats's of what I interpret. It's really powerful.
@antoniopetrone5336
Yes bro💯💯💯
@othaka666
So much emotion in his voice...
@matthewboren8782
Love this band