The band released their third full length album, Mountains Beaches Cities, via BMG on September 10th, 2013. The project was self-produced by Moon Taxi’s own guitarist Spencer Thomson with the help of keyboardist Wes Bailey and was mixed by Vance Powell (Jack White, The Dead Weather) and mastered by Greg Calbi (Talking Heads, Paul Simon, Fleet Foxes). Extensive touring with their raucous live show helped to land them debut performances on the Late Show With David Letterman and CONAN, plus major music festivals appearances at: Bonnaroo, Shaky Knees, Hangout, FireFly, Lollapalooza, Forecastle and more. Moon Taxi has previously toured with Matisyahu, and White Denim. The band’s songs have been featured in a number of TV shows and films including: ABC’s Nashville, MLB Network’s World Series 2013 show Path to the Championship, an HBO fight promo, plus the independent film Zero to 100.
Cabaret
Moon Taxi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This may be the last time
You will hear me say
I’m goin’ away
So long today
I’m walking through my shoes
And as my clothes they start to fray
Should I – meet you there halfway
Hear just what you have to say
Should I go or should I stay
I’m gone away
I’m goin’ to pray
May be the first time
But until my dying day
I’m going to pray
So gone away
This may be the last time
You’ll see me in this cabaret
I’m gone away
As we near the New Years Day
I know I’ll be moving on
Things are better off this way
I wish it was the fifth of May
But the sun is in the west
Blue skies turned to grey
In Moon Taxi's song Cabaret, the lyrics tell a story of leaving behind a past life and moving forward into the unknown. The singer, in a haunting and melancholy tone, sings about departing and walking away, acknowledging that this could be the last time the listener hears from him. He compares himself to a person walking through their shoes as they start to fray, indicating that he has been through a lot and is ready to leave. The question of whether he should stay or go is posed, but ultimately, he has made up his mind and is gone away.
The chorus of "Cabaret" repeats the line "so gone away" to emphasize the singer's departure. The bridge of the song takes on a more hopeful tone as he says he is going to pray, which may be the first time he has ever felt inclined to do so. He notes that he wishes it was May 5th, perhaps indicating that he wishes he had more time before leaving or that he wishes he could just start over.
The lyrics of Cabaret are open to interpretation, but the overall message is one of moving on and letting go. It is a song about leaving behind a life that is no longer working and moving forward with hope for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
So gone away
I am leaving
This may be the last time
This might be the final goodbye
You will hear me say
You'll hear my farewell
I’m goin’ away
I am departing
So long today
Goodbye for now
I’m walking through my shoes
I am following my own path
And as my clothes they start to fray
As I wear out and become worn
I’m going away
I am leaving
Should I – meet you there halfway
Should we compromise
Hear just what you have to say
Listen to your opinion
Should I go or should I stay
Should I leave or should I stay
I’m gone away
I am leaving
I’m goin’ to pray
I am going to pray
May be the first time
Perhaps it is the first time
But until my dying day
Until I die
I’m going to pray
I will always pray
So gone away
I am leaving
This may be the last time
This might be the final goodbye
You’ll see me in this cabaret
You'll see me one last time in this place
I’m gone away
I am leaving
As we near the New Years Day
As we approach a new beginning
I know I’ll be moving on
I will be leaving soon
Things are better off this way
It's better if I go
I wish it was the fifth of May
I wish it was a different time
But the sun is in the west
It's getting late in the day
Blue skies turned to grey
It's getting dark and gloomy
Writer(s): Spencer Thomson, Wes Bailey, Trevor Terndrup, Thomas Putnam, Tyler Ritter Copyright: BMG Platinum Songs, 12th South Records
Contributed by Isabella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@garchomp119568
The way warren had to physically remove his slide and he STILL didn't miss a note was a thing of beauty! Watch the other guitarists reaction.
@ImmUnity-ko6yz
Great set, just love watching history in the making, artists rocking out & getting in their zone!🤘🏼♥️🤘🏼
@safetydave720
Time to do this again. I really, really, enjoy this!
@darronmois7054
This band changed my life and got me back into live music. Love love love
@michaelwtapp
Holy moly, that man can flow.
@CapinCrunch
There guys are amazing on studio album and even better live
@jamesryan6224
#FANtastic !!!!!!!!!!
@AChannelification
That was killer!
@jameswhite7629
Wow, just wow !
@Bruins_63
Huge, huge like!!!