Claire Acey and brothers Django and Samuel Stewart form the 3-piece band, whose Facebook bio states, “We are Nightmare and the Cat… and that is that.”
Fresh from the cult London music scene, they have soft vocals reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, an indie pop vibe like that of The Thrills or Vampire Weekend, and instrumental skills like only Arcade Fire can match.
Simple
Nightmare and the Cat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As we dance across the border
Of what is love and what is madness
Time to deal with all the sadness
Buried deep beneath the floorboards
In a houses entertainment built
Where the silence seems to double every day
Mother tell me is this what you wanted
From the privilege in my Father's name
So who's to blame for certain
Who can it be behind the curtain
The one who orchestrates the violence
Boasting overtures of blinding rage from the family stage
It's changing us (Changing us)
Never waking up (Waking up)
Just look at us
And see we are the way we are because you are the way you are
It's simple
Woah yeah it's simple
But if it's so simple
Why can't we just get it
It's torture
Rumours whispered around the corner
Scratching at our brains like fingernails
Guess that's what we get for telling tales until there's none to tell
It's changing us (Changing us)
Never waking up (Waking up)
Just look at us
And see we are the way we are because you are the way you are
It's simple
Woah yeah it's simple
But if it's so simple
Why can't we just get it
(See we are the way we are because you are the way you are)
It's simple
Woah yeah it's simple
But if it's so simple
Why can't just get it
(See we are the way we are because you are the way you are)
It's simple
The lyrics of "Simple" by Nightmare and the Cat explore the complexities of family dynamics and the impact that parents and their behavior have on their children. The song criticizes the idea of inherited privilege and the damaging effects it can have on personal relationships. The lines "I have tried my best to keep away from the privilege in my Father's name, So who's to blame for certain?" underline the idea of being born into wealth and the problems it presents when trying to form genuine connections with others. The song suggests that family problems can cause a cycle of pain that is difficult to escape from, and that these problems can be perpetuated from generation to generation.
Additionally, the song touches on the theme of truth and the consequences of keeping secrets. The lines "Rumours whispered around the corner, Scratching at our brains like fingernails, Guess that's what we get for telling tales until there's none to tell" imply that the family has kept secrets for so long that the truth has become distorted and the rumors surrounding it are causing anxiety and pain for those involved. Furthermore, the chorus repetition of the line "It's changing us, never waking up" suggests that the situation has become so overwhelming and stressful that it is having a negative impact on the family's mental health and wellbeing.
Line by Line Meaning
Time to put priorities in order
It is time to prioritize and decide what comes first
As we dance across the border
As we move forward and take risks that may lead us to unexpected places
Of what is love and what is madness
Of the blurred lines between love and chaos
Time to deal with all the sadness
It is time to confront and address all the sorrow we have been avoiding
Buried deep beneath the floorboards
The sadness has been buried so deep that it is hidden away from sight
In a houses entertainment built
In a place that was meant to have fun and laughter, we have hidden our suffering
Where the silence seems to double every day
The lack of communication or honesty has resulted in the silence becoming even more profound
Mother tell me is this what you wanted
A plea for acknowledgment and understanding from a parent figure
I have tried my best to keep away
Despite their efforts to avoid certain behaviors, they have still been affected by their environment and upbringing
From the privilege in my Father's name
The advantages and entitlement associated with coming from a wealthy or influential family
So who's to blame for certain
Questioning who is responsible for the current state of things
Who can it be behind the curtain
Asking who is pulling the strings and controlling the situation
The one who orchestrates the violence
The individual who manipulates and causes harm to those around them
Boasting overtures of blinding rage from the family stage
Expressing how the family dynamic revolves around anger and aggression
It's changing us (Changing us)
Our experiences are shaping and transforming us
Never waking up (Waking up)
Not being aware of the impact that our environment is having on us
Just look at us
Simply observe our actions and behavior
And see we are the way we are because you are the way you are
We have become who we are because of our upbringing and the behavior of those around us
It's simple
The explanation for our current state is straightforward
Woah yeah it's simple
Reiterating that the solution is not complicated
But if it's so simple
Expressing frustration that something so obvious is still so difficult to fix
Why can't we just get it
Questioning why it is so challenging to make the necessary changes
It's torture
The process of dealing with our issues is agonizing and difficult
Rumours whispered around the corner
Gossip and speculation that is spread secretly and behind closed doors
Scratching at our brains like fingernails
The rumors and lies are affecting us heavily and painfully
Guess that's what we get for telling tales until there's none to tell
Acknowledging that the gossip and secrets we have shared have lead to our current situation
Contributed by Alexis L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MAROONxxxMOON
You know what's not simple, my love for this band
Robert McElvaine
Absolutely sensational! The best new sound in years! Nightmare and the Cat will be the Next BIG Thing!
Jennifer Frost
I must say, I've been listening to your stuff for two years now and it seems like it just keeps getting better. I love the band and I hope I can see you in concert soon!
Alexandre Corda
It's so good!!!! Well done guys :)
Julianne McKinley
amazing people making amazing music. EP is killer. buy it everyone :)
Jason McCarthy
WoW, Found you by accident and this is the very first one ive heard from you. Love the harmonys,tempo of the song and lyrics,so im gonna dig a little deeper,hopefully find more hidden jems...
Akire Oats
Haha, before I even listened to the song, I knew it was going to be great. Keep up the great work, I've been a fan since your other EP!
James M
My introduction to you guys, and my new favourite song. Picked up the ol' trusty blue acoustic to learn it today. Absolutely fantastic! Bring on the album!
D. Norton
Adam lambert recommended this song..love it...also love how different it is from most American COMERCIAL music.
Pooh Zie
I don't understand why this band didn't get more popular.