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
Don't Let Them See You Cry
Manchester Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the dam breaks down
And the city's covered in water
'Cause I believe we fly
When the moon takes shape
And I dose off, on your shoulders
And the trust, that you see, it's you
So breathe while you're alive
Let the big band play
As you tap leather with your fingers
And I tried to write in style
But the words just come
And I write them as soon as I see them
And I trust that you write them too
And I trust that you love me too
"Don't Let Them See You Cry" by Manchester Orchestra is a deeply emotional song that speaks to the fear of vulnerability and the power of trust. The first verse sets the scene of a catastrophic event, where a dam breaks down and floods the city. The line "don't let them see you cry" can be interpreted as a cautionary tale to not let others see you at your weakest, but also as an encouragement to be strong in the face of adversity. The chorus then shifts to a more hopeful tone, where the singer believes that they can achieve anything as long as they have someone to rely on, using the metaphor of flying under the moon.
The second verse highlights the importance of living in the present and enjoying life's simple pleasures, such as listening to music and tapping along with the rhythm. The singer then speaks about his own struggles with writing, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for communicating his emotions. Despite his struggles, he trusts that the person he loves is also struggling to find the right words.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't let them see you cry
Don't show your emotions to others, put on a strong façade.
When the dam breaks down
When everything falls apart and chaos ensues.
And the city's covered in water
A metaphor for being overwhelmed and in over your head.
'Cause I believe we fly
Belief in the possibility of soaring above difficult situations.
When the moon takes shape
Referring to the change and transformation that can happen in life.
And I dose off, on your shoulders
Finding comfort and solace in the presence of someone you trust.
And the trust, that you see, it's you
The person being referenced is the source of comfort and strength.
So breathe while you're alive
Make the most of life, appreciate each moment.
Let the big band play
Let the world keep turning and progressing.
As you tap leather with your fingers
Enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
And I tried to write in style
Attempting to impress others with fancy language and form.
But the words just come
Being authentic and genuine is more important than impressing others.
And I write them as soon as I see them
Capturing thoughts and emotions in their rawest form.
And I trust that you write them too
Believing that the recipient of these thoughts and emotions will understand and appreciate them.
And I trust that you love me too
Believing that the recipient of these thoughts and emotions cares for and supports them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDY HULL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raspberry481
Don't let them see you cry
When the dam breaks down and the city is covered in water
Cause I believe we fly
When the moon takes shape and I dose off, on your shoulders
I trust that you see it too
So breathe while you're alive
Let the big band play as you tap leather with your fingers
And I tried to write in style
But the words just come and I write them as soon as I see them
And I trust that you write them too
And I trust that you love me too
@makenzeekaye
This was so great! Love Manchester Orchestra, in fact I'm seeing them in August!
@RileyArthurDro
It's been so long since I've heard a song this genuine. I feel so much right now. I will definitely be posting a cover of me singing this and playing piano.
@d.leighannbatemon3192
Dude, this is excellent! Good job! I love this song. You did it justice.
@beccaslemons
This honestly needs more views
@andrewmat
I didn't see it was unofficial until the end... Great job. It is awesome.
@ChickenMiki
I absolutely love this. You both have amazing talent. It matches perfectly to the lyrics.
@IcaroCarvalho
Really, reeeally beautiful video. I'll share, this needs more views²
@Brandonmaieli
The panning shot was done really well
@nymeria9210
That's amazing. :')
@oliwiakurzawska3252
Beautiful song, but sad :c I'm cry...