Returning to Brooklyn in 2008, the band took a needed breather, but new songs and rehearsals emerged following the New Year. Recording started on their third album, Hey There Golden Hair, in October of 2009 on the boys’ newly purchased Tascam MS-16 1” tape machine, which was
lovingly dragged to several studios across Northwest Brooklyn before settling at Tommy Brenneck’s (Budos Band, Menahan Street Band) Dunham Studio for mixdown this past May. Produced by Trokan with engineer Matt Shane (Flight of the Conchords, Rosanne Cash) this was the current line-up’s first foray into a proper recording session, drawing little help from the outside save that of a horn section borrowed from Daptone Records.
Two tunes from Hey There Golden Hair, “Electric Eye” and “Face In The Fog,” were released as a limited-run 7” single through NYC indie Engine Room Recordings. Jon Pareles of the NY Times stated, “There’s a lot of the Beatles, especially their piano-pumping side, in the songs of Robbers On High Street, updated with Elvis Costello’s gruffness and a matterof-fact desperation,”. The new jams quickly made the rounds online, including a giveaway on WNYC, which they called, “an aggressively catchy tune that harks back to the big, beautiful, horn-filled pop-rock of the '60s and '70s.”
The Fatalist
Robbers on High Street Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down, never out
I was determined
But I couldn't catch a break
Always treading in the wake
Like I was afraid of it
So I gave up the fight
And maybe I'm set to win
I quit action, I quit plan
Shook that big, invisible hand
And welcomed the Fatalist
Give yourself into its vision
No more struggle, no decisions
Beyond your control
So give in and let go
Enter the Fatalist
Oh, we try so hard
Oh, we try, try so hard
To get out of this
What is behind it?
The omniscient it
Yes, Fatalist, Fatalist, Fatalist, the Fatalist
Give yourself into its vision
No more struggle, no decisions
Beyond your control
Welcome the unknown
Yes, Fatalist
The lyrics of the song "The Fatalist" by Robbers on High Street depict the struggle of a person who never gives up but still can't catch a break. The singer seems to have fought their way through life, taking action and making plans to the best of their ability. However, in spite of their efforts, they can only seem to stay afloat and never rise to the top. Eventually, the singer decides to give up the fight and welcome the Fatalist, a concept that urges them to surrender control and accept what life has in store for them without any struggle or decision-making.
The Fatalist in the song seems to represent the acceptance of fate and the powerlessness of human beings in the face of it. The singer seems to realize that there is something bigger than themselves at work, "the omniscient it," guiding their lives, and resisting it is futile. They urge listeners to give in to the Fatalist's vision, welcome the unknown and let go of the struggle. The repeated chorus, "Oh, we try so hard, oh, we try, try so hard, to get out of this, what is behind it?" further emphasizes the singer's desperation and attempts to make sense of the uncontrollable forces at play in their life.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Fatalist" are a poignant reflection on the human condition and our attempts to control our lives in the face of an unknown future. The song's message is both relatable and thought-provoking, urging listeners to find peace in surrendering control and trusting in the path that life takes them on.
Line by Line Meaning
I was down for the count
I was faced with difficulties and setbacks
Down, never out
Despite the difficulties, I was not giving up
I was determined
I had strong willpower and resolution
But I couldn't catch a break
Despite my efforts, things didn't work out as planned
Always treading in the wake
I was always following behind, never leading
Like I was afraid of it
I was hesitant, fearful of taking risks
So I gave up the fight
I surrendered and stopped resisting
Let me fall where I might
I accepted that whatever may happen, will happen
And maybe I'm set to win
By surrendering, I could end up victorious
I quit action, I quit plan
I stopped trying to control the situation
Shook that big, invisible hand
I embraced fate or destiny
And welcomed the Fatalist
I accepted the idea that events are predetermined
Give yourself into its vision
Submit to the belief that fate controls everything
No more struggle, no decisions
Stop resisting or making choices
Beyond your control
Things are out of your hands
So give in and let go
Surrender and go with the flow
Enter the Fatalist
Embrace the idea of predetermined fate
Oh, we try so hard
We attempt with great effort
Oh, we try, try so hard
We try very hard
To get out of this
To overcome the situation
What is behind it?
What is the cause of the situation?
The omniscient it
The all-knowing entity behind everything
Yes, Fatalist, Fatalist, Fatalist, the Fatalist
Repeating and emphasizing the idea of accepting fate
Welcome the unknown
Accept that the future is uncertain and out of your control
Yes, Fatalist
Again emphasizing the belief in predetermined events
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ben Trokan, Morgan King, Steve Mercado, Tomer Danan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Opteryx
Such an amazing band, they need more popularity. Spread the word.
Congressman McDouchebag
This is one of my all time favorite bands, I wish more people knew about robbers on high street
S QD
Great stuff man, loving this band, I just wish they were more available, they aren't on itunes so i have to look everywhere to buy their album
Andrian Gomez
i love this band... they are great live too :o)
Andrew S
whoa....ive never heard these dudes before. some of the funkiest bass ive heard in a while...solid drums. i'll definitely be buying an album soon. 5/5
Nekro
This song has amazing rhythm.
Days in Antietam
I love this song! Used to be on my myspace page.
S QD
Also, if anyone can point me in the direction bass tabs for this song I will love you for eternity
acejhen Caballero
i know right, that's the least that can be said for most musicians and/or groups
Enoch Ching
@takemyhandd found them on pandora, not too bad