Bandmates Chapman, bassist Josh Salter, drummer Seamus Dalton, and lead guitarist Brad Loughead debuted with a self-titled EP that came out in 2011. Though Dalton and Salter were both in the group Monomyth, and Loughead was a member of Each Other, Nap Eyes kept cranking out music, with two EPs (Tribal Thoughts and Four More Songs By) in 2012 and two 2013 releases (Joint Uppers & Other Favourites! and Dreaming Solo). They recorded fast, eschewing overdubs and getting a live and loose sound. Their first full-length was recorded in 2013 in Montreal by Mike Wright, who was also in Each Other with Loughead. Whine of the Mystic was first issued in 2014 in a limited run by Plastic Factory, then co-reissued in July 2015 by You've Changed Records and Paradise of Bachelors.
Once again employing their preferred studio method, Nap Eyes recorded their follow-up album, 2016's Thought Rock Fish Scale, entirely live in the studio over a period of four days. Completing what they considered to be an informal trilogy of LPs, the band returned in March 2018 with the deeply personal I'm Bad Now. For Nap Eyes' fourth album, they took a more measured and hi-fi approach, working with producers Jonathan Low (the National) and James Elkington at the National's Long Pond studio in Upstate New York. The resulting album, Snapshot of a Beginner, was released by Jagjaguwar in April 2020.
Click Clack
Nap Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she got caught in this world that she didn't even think
The wool that hides the wolf inside sheep's clothing
Could be so soft, and now she's on the brink
Over the autumn fields, across the water
Under the starry cloak of night
It's been too many hours since I last saw your pretty face
if a night is dark but if I don't see it when the man turns
his human bark into another place
Sometimes drinking I feel so happy but then
I can't remember why
I feel sad all over again
Sometimes drinking I
don't know my best friend for my best friend
Broken on the drum, an ancient ancient arrow
his people cold, swept onto the tender plain
and slow by slow by slow by slower than slow
unto the open houses brought by the children of joseph came
Play songs by the fire a while
Here are stories my child
Don't you feel like a train chugging, train chugging
In my head
Oh and now I know who I really really am
I, I'm going to stay on track
still I can't lose myself, I'm haunted
by the sound
click clack click clack
Yes and now I know who I really am
I, I'm going to stay on track
Still I cant really lose myself, I'm haunted
By the sound
click clack click clack
I thought I should talk, man, I guess I need to listen
When she got caught in this world that she didn't even think
the wool that hides the wolf inside sheep's clothing
could be so soft, now she's on the brink
Nap Eyes's song "Click Clack" is a poetic and introspective reflection on the complexities of life. The opening lines, "I thought I should talk, man, I guess I need to listen," indicate a desire to connect with others and understand their experiences. The singer talks about a woman who was caught off guard by the darker side of life - the "wolf inside sheep's clothing" - and now finds herself on the brink of something. The limited agency of the woman highlights the prevalence of surprise and unpredictability in life.
The song then turns to images of the night, with references to "autumn fields" and "starry cloak[s]." The singer pleads with someone to "light [him] a lantern," indicating a desire for connection and illumination in the dark. Alcohol is also mentioned as a coping mechanism, with the singer feeling "happy" and then immediately "sad all over again." The final verse refers to an "ancient ancient arrow" and the children of Joseph, adding a historical and spiritual dimension to the song.
Overall, "Click Clack" is a meditative and melancholy song that contemplates the difficulties of life and the need for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I should talk, man, I guess I need to listen
I realized I may have been too focused on expressing myself, so now I need to pay more attention to what others are trying to say.
When she got caught in this world that she didn't even think
A woman was unexpectedly pulled into a situation or lifestyle that she had not anticipated or planned for.
The wool that hides the wolf inside sheep's clothing
A deceptive facade can be made to seem harmless or even comforting, but it can disguise a threatening or dangerous reality.
Could be so soft, and now she's on the brink
The deception was executed in an incredibly subtle and gentle way, but the woman is now on the verge of a crisis or breakdown.
Over the autumn fields, across the water
The scene is changing and moving away from a familiar setting, perhaps symbolizing emotional or mental journeying.
Under the starry cloak of night
The darkness of the night sky creates a sense of awe and mystery, which is emphasized by the multitude of stars.
Blue light, baby won't you light me a lantern
The singer is asking for a small but significant source of illumination, which could provide guidance or comfort in some way.
It's been too many hours since I last saw your pretty face
The artist has not seen someone he cares for in a long time, and the separation has caused some distress or unhappiness.
if a night is dark but if I don't see it when the man turns
Even if something seems like it should be scary or unsettling, the artist points out that their perception of the situation has a large impact on their emotional response.
his human bark into another place
This line is unclear and open to interpretation, but it could refer to someone putting up a tough or unfriendly exterior to hide deeper vulnerabilities or emotions.
Sometimes drinking I feel so happy but then
Alcohol can provide a temporary relief from negative feelings or stress, but the singer is aware that the positive effects don't last.
I can't remember why
The artist is aware that their memory becomes impaired after drinking, which can be frustrating or frightening.
I feel sad all over again
After the temporary high of drinking wears off, the singer experiences a renewed sense of sadness or pain.
Sometimes drinking I don't know my best friend for my best friend
Under the influence of alcohol, it can be easy to mistake someone or misinterpret a situation, which can lead to confusion or misunderstanding.
Broken on the drum, an ancient ancient arrow
The imagery of the 'ancient arrow' speaks to a sense of history and tradition, but the arrow's being 'broken on the drum' could indicate some sort of conflict or discord between the old and new.
his people cold, swept onto the tender plain
The artist describes a group of people who have been forced out of their homes or communities and now find themselves in a harsh or unwelcoming environment.
and slow by slow by slow by slower than slow
This repetition of 'slow' creates a sense of patient endurance or perseverance, despite the difficult circumstances.
unto the open houses brought by the children of joseph came
A group or community of people have found new living quarters or shelter, and the singer describes the surrounding environment in a way that emphasizes the openness and potential of this new start.
Play songs by the fire a while
This line has a comforting and communal tone, with the suggestion of gathering people together to share music and stories.
Here are stories my child
The artist is sharing tales and wisdom with someone who is younger or less experienced, perhaps with the hope of imparting some insight or guidance.
Don't you feel like a train chugging, train chugging
This repeated line creates a sense of motion or momentum, which could be interpreted as a reflection of the artist's life or mental state.
In my head
The source of the 'train chugging' feeling is internal and might refer to the artist's thoughts or emotions.
Oh and now I know who I really really am
The singer has come to a realization or self-awareness that has answered some doubt or conflict within themselves.
I, I'm going to stay on track
The artist is confident in their newfound understanding of themselves and is determined to maintain their sense of direction or purpose.
still I can't lose myself, I'm haunted
Even though the singer feels more centered and grounded, they acknowledge that they may still be affected or distracted by difficult memories or emotions.
by the sound click clack click clack
This repeated phrase creates an ominous undertone and could suggest the persistence or inescapability of certain thoughts or feelings.
Writer(s): Brad Loughead, Seamus Dalton, Nigel Chapman, Josh Salter
Contributed by Lillian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sashastaicu1154
im openly weeping at how tender this is
@bobbylawrence3517
His voice <3
@changer1285
this song saves my life every time i hear it
@alexaldrich3997
don't think I've heard a more glorious bridge than this one's. comes out of fucking nowhere.
@kimsalter437
Xcellent
@doughansen9550
hell yea
@timmcdougall5492
taste my science
@ddd1776
first
@fododude
I wanna hear what Butthead would say about this crap.