Miniature Tigers' sound was forged in the bedroom of frontman Charlie Brand, only to quickly outgrow the space, with the band soon finding itself on stage, in the studio and signed to Phoenix’s Modern Art Records in short order. Brand’s lyrics – a mix of deeply personal insights and playful references to the disparate cultural artifacts that have informed his existence – and effortlessly constructed indie-pop arrangements have made fans in his native Phoenix and beyond. The fans stretch to Los Angeles, where Brand reconnected with drummer, collaborator and fellow charter member of the band Rick Schaier while living in Hollywood, and far beyond thanks to the Internet, which it seems people are into these days.
Miniature Tigers’ debut album "Tell it to the Volcano" runs the lyrical gamut, taking inspiration from and referencing TV’s Lost (which rates a Dharma Initiative sticker on Brand’s acoustic) as easily as it probes the joy and heartbreak of Charlie’s own life, while managing not to take itself too seriously. Brand wrote the album while on the lam – not from the law, but rather from a relationship he described as "brutal." He left Phoenix to clear his head, landing in Los Angeles and collaborating with his friend Rick to complete the long-gestating album. It was his catharsis – with cannibals and volcanoes stepping in for the real-world problems that had both beset and inspired him. In the end the album represents Charlie’s effort to codify, examine, and ultimately move past a 2-year stretch of his life.
Charlie and Rick are joined in their live incarnation by friends and collaborators Lou Kummerer on bass and Lawrence Hearn on lead guitar and keyboards, for performances that seem to give equal time to playing songs and intra-band joking. They aim for a controlled chaos aesthetic that eschews "auto-pilot" at all costs.
In an effort to further confound the expectations of those around the band, they chose to have their video directed by someone who had never helmed one before…or at least never an authorized music video. The band tapped "Yacht Rock" creator JD Ryznar to direct their video for Cannibal Queen in the hopes he would recreate the magic of his wildly popular Internet video series. Ryznar quickly assimilated the band’s aesthetic and turned in a video equal parts "Weird Science" and "Frankenstein," to the band’s delight.
Dark Tower
Miniature Tigers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want to know
Don't follow me in, 'cause I don't know where I'm going
Or how long I'll be
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
Nothing can wake me from myself
Don't wait for me, girl, 'cause I don't know what I'm after
You, or my career
Don't say it's the end, 'cause I could not take it
Do you know me still?
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
Nothing can wake me from myself, not you or nobody else
Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
Nothing can wake me from myself
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
Nothing can wake me from myself, not you or no one else
The lyrics of "Dark Tower" by Miniature Tigers capture a sense of disconnection and uncertainty that we all can likely relate to in some way. The singer is struggling with feelings of isolation and asks for distance from others, because they feel lost in their own path. The line "Don't run away, 'cause I don't know where you go, I don't want to know" reflects this separation that the singer feels, as if they are unwilling or unable to connect with other people. Similarly, "Don't follow me in, 'cause I don't know where I'm going, Or how long I'll be" speaks to a sense of confusion and lack of direction. It's as if the singer is not sure how to proceed in life, and doesn't want to mislead or hurt anyone by dragging them along for the ride.
The repeated refrain of "Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour, Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream? Nothing can wake me from myself" reinforces this sense of separation and confusion. The "dark tower" may represent a mental state or emotional space that the singer is trapped in, with no apparent way out. They are desperately searching for a way to wake up and break free from this darkness, but feel utterly alone in doing so. The final verse "Don't wait for me, girl, 'cause I don't know what I'm after, You, or my career, Don't say it's the end, 'cause I could not take it, Do you know me still?" continues this theme of uncertainty and disconnection, as the singer is not even sure what they want in life or how they feel about the person they are addressing.
This song is a powerful reflection of the way our minds and emotions can trap us, leaving us feeling disconnected and alone even when we are surrounded by people who care about us. It also touches on the theme of uncertainty and the fear of the unknown that can be paralyzing for many of us. It's a haunting, thought-provoking song that encourages us to face our fears and embrace the complexity of our emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't run away, 'cause I don't know where you go
Stay with me even if I'm unsure of what the future holds.
I don't want to know
The uncertainty of your departure scares me, and I don't want to face it.
Don't follow me in, 'cause I don't know where I'm going
Don't come with me down my unsure path; I may not know where it leads.
Or how long I'll be
I can't guarantee a timeline for myself or with you.
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
My inner thoughts and emotions are taking a toll on me, slowly consuming me.
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
I'm in a state of confusion and uncertainty that feels unbreakable.
Nothing can wake me from myself
I'm stuck in my own negative thoughts, and no one can pull me out unless I want to.
Not you, or no one else
No external force, even those I care about, can fix what's going wrong within me.
Don't wait for me, girl, 'cause I don't know what I'm after
I'm uncertain in my direction, and I don't know what I want or need.
You, or my career
I'm torn between my relationship with you and my professional aspirations.
Don't say it's the end, 'cause I could not take it
I can't handle hearing that this relationship is over, as it would devastate me.
Do you know me still?
With all my uncertainties and doubts, do you still see me as the person you fell for?
Ahh, ahh
Musical interlude
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
I'm trapped in my own negative emotions, and my situation is only worsening.
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
I'm desperate for a way out of this emotional turmoil.
Nothing can wake me from myself
I'm the only one responsible for pulling myself out of this state.
Not you or nobody else
This is a journey I have to take on my own, and no one else can go through it for me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLIE BRAND, RICK SCHAIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NintendogTM
I love this song, it reminds me of my old best friends.
A few years ago I had a group of four amazing friends, we all got along better than anyone we knew. All of us spent nearly every day together - whether it was playing around or helping with each others issues we all had fun. It truly felt like we were inseparable and at the time, we probably were. During the time however, we neglected our duties/lives and were shunned by those that knew us for it, but that just gave us more reason to come together as one.
We only wanted to support one another.
Sadly however, we all got separated; either by moving or simply drifting apart. Two years ago however, we all managed to be reunited within the same school for our final year of 'education'. I was ecstatic to figure this out, not only that but 3/4 of them were in the same homeroom as me so I'd get to see them every day..! Only problem was though, it turned out that during the time we were separated they'd moved on. When I went to them and said hello, only one of them remembered who I was and even then they wanted nothing to do with me.. It hurt.
The four best friends of my life had found happiness, that I was joyous about.. But they had all done it without me, I wasn't part of their new lives and even the one that remembered me said that we could never be friends again.
All four of them had new lifes and moved on, while I was waiting the entire time just wishing to see them again as they were the only good to have happened to me.
At the time all of this was happening, this band was what kept me from having any sort of break-down.. But more specifically it was this song. I owe a big thank you to these guys, they helped me through a mass heartbreak.
InciteDATRIOT
Don't run away, 'cause I don't know where you go
I don't want to know
Don't follow me in, 'cause I don't know where I'm going
Or how long I'll be
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
Nothing can wake me from myself
Not you, or no one else
Don't wait for me, girl, 'cause I don't know what I'm after
You, or my career
Don't say it's the end, 'cause I could not take it
Do you know me still?
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
Nothing can wake me from myself, not you or nobody else
Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
Nothing can wake me from myself
Living in a dark tower, getting darker by the hour
Will I wake up from a dark, dark daydream?
Nothing can wake me from myself, not you or no one else
BalloonFrog
Laying down on a trampoline, staring up at the overhead tree branches, distant stars twinkling with the moon in the corner of my eye. We're all in a circle, just staring. This song is playing, setting the relaxing and numbing mood. My mind is blank. I just think of the people around me. That is one of my most beautiful memories to date.
Mr Happy
BalloonFrog. I feel that same careless vibe. That benevolent and bemused momentary love. Keep listening and dreaming my friend. 😊🎶💤
Bluewolf 23
Gorillaz!!!
chair
+BalloonFrog This was amazing to read. I wish I could live this memory.
aims
A really amazing person showed me this song, I’m talking to him as I type this. I hope we stay together
Arnold Palmer21
ur 12 tho
curtis35th
I hope you invested time into listening to mansion of misery and Egyptian robe if that man didn’t show those 2
Brylie•Claire
aims AWWWW
aims
@Brylie•Claire no :(
Brylie•Claire
well... did u ?