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.
The New Black
Moon Taxi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And now I want something more
And what is that?
It's the new black
What you want, me to do
Now you got, someone new
It's not enough, to get your thrill
And what is that?
It's the new black
I've seen it all, all before
And now I want something more
So what you give, you can't get back
And everything is turning black
It's the new black
It's the new black
In Moon Taxi's song "The New Black," the lyrics suggest a desire for something new and more meaningful. The opening lines, "I've seen it all, all before, and now I want something more," imply a sense of dissatisfaction or boredom with the same old experiences. The repetition of this line throughout the song emphasizes the yearning for a change, something fresh and exciting. In the chorus, the phrase "It's the new black" serves as a metaphor for this desire, suggesting that this new thing is not only trendy or fashionable, but it also has a deeper value that resonates with the singer.
The second half of the song introduces a scenario where the singer has been replaced by someone new. This is seen with the line, "What you want me to do, now you got someone new," emphasizing a feeling of displacement or dismissal. The song also seems to suggest that this new person is unable to provide the same level of excitement or satisfaction as the singer once did. The line, "It's not enough to get your thrill, you took it all for one more kill," shows a realization that what the singer once offered was taken for granted and undervalued until it was replaced.
As the song comes to an end, the lyrics become more pessimistic. The line, "So what you give, you can't get back, and everything is turning black" suggests a sense of hopelessness and the realization that what was once there is now gone. Despite this, the phrase "It's the new black" persists, echoing the desire for change and something more meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen it all, all before
The singer has experienced everything and anything that might come their way.
And now I want something more
The singer is looking for something greater than their previous experiences.
And what is that?
The singer is posing a question about what this 'something more' might be.
It's the new black
The artist has found their answer- whatever they are looking for is 'the new black.'
What you want, me to do
The artist is being asked to fulfill someone else's desires.
Now you got, someone new
The person the singer was previously helping has found someone new.
It's not enough, to get your thrill
The previous person's satisfaction with what they had is not enough to satisfy them.
You took it all, for one more kill
The person the artist was helping got all they could out of the situation before moving on.
And what is that?
The artist again poses the question they are seeking an answer to.
It's the new black
The artist has again found their answer.
I've seen it all, all before
A repetition of previously mentioned experience.
And now I want something more
A repetition of the artist's previous desire to experience something greater.
So what you give, you can't get back
The singer is acknowledging their recognition that once something is given, it can't be taken back.
And everything is turning black
Everything around the singer is fading away into 'blackness.'
It's the new black
A final repetition of the phrase that represents the singer's new 'want'.
Writer(s): Spencer Thomson, Wes Bailey, Trevor Terndrup, Thomas Putnam, Tyler Ritter
Contributed by Daniel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
FindingReason4Life
This is amazing why hasn't this song been discovered yet?
Heshan Wijegunaratne
Progressive Indie Rock at its Best!
Cyber Gypsy
"It's The New Black". What a gem! So far this is the best thing 2014 has uncovered.
<3
alan yancey
This is another Gr8 tune from these guys. I'm lovin it.
eddy baker
damn this is so sick!!! props
Grant Carpenter
BADASS!!!
zacisu
Disgrace this only has 100,000 views. Easily one of their best songs.
alan yancey
Zacisu Believe it or not there are a couple of GR8 tunes from their new album w/zero posts.
E Hill
This band used to shred
Heather Lloyd
I'd like to own that fine piece of metal.