Following an EP on Ambivalent Records in summer 2003, So Many Dynamos released its debut full-length, When I Explode (mixed by the Dismemberment Plan's Jason Caddell), in 2004 on Skrocki Records. Flashlights, which expanded the band's sound with a four-piece horn section and 30-member choir, arrived in September 2006. After extensive touring, writing, and recording, the band released "The Loud Wars" on Vagrant Records in June 2009 (recorded by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla). In August of that same year, founding guitarist Ryan Wasoba announced his departure from the band; making him the second Ryan to quit So Many Dynamos (Ryan Ballew quit shortly after the release of When I Explode). He was replaced by former Target Market front man and St. Louis heavyhitter Nathan Bernaix.
The band currently plays songs in peoples vans.
Let's Laugh About It Later
So Many Dynamos Lyrics
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At four-thirty in the afternoon.
We'll sit in lawnchairs and stare at the people.
They all look like ants.
I swear that I can see your house from here.
And it goes without saying
But it's always said,
That tomorrow we will wake up
With the bitter recollections
Of a romance killed,
And another tired night of being unfulfulled.
But
Isn't this what you wanted?
Why act so disappointed?
Well, I know that living in the city
Will do that to you.
So why do you have to
Always be so goddamn helpless?
Isn't this what you wanted?
So lets pack up our things and douse this building
With the gasoline that we hid under the floorboards.
We'll strike one match and make sure
That this city, it never breathes again,
And hope that we will be the first ones to go.
And I wish it could be simple,
But it never will,
Because the things that make us stronger
Are the things that kill.
And the sooner we can get ourselves out of this,
Is the sooner we can learn from this experience.
But
Isn't this what you wanted?
Why act so disappointed?
Well, I know that living in the city
Will do that to you.
So why do you have to
Always be so goddamn helpless?
Isn't this what you wanted?
The lyrics to So Many Dynamos's song Let's Laugh About It Later tell a story of two people who are searching for something, but are ultimately unfulfilled. They plan to get "stupid drunk" on the roof of an abandoned building in the middle of the day, watching the people below and feeling disconnected from the world. The singer can see the other person's house from where they are, highlighting their isolation from the rest of society.
As the song progresses, the lyrics take a darker tone, with the two contemplating burning down the building they are on to escape their empty lives. The singer acknowledges that life is not simple, and that the things that make us stronger can also be the things that kill us, but they hope that by removing themselves from this situation, they can learn and grow.
The repeated refrain of "Isn't this what you wanted?" highlights the dissatisfaction these two people feel with their lives, but also hints that perhaps they are not entirely sure what they want. The singer questions why the other person is always so "helpless," suggesting that their unhappiness may stem from a lack of agency or control over their own lives.
Overall, the lyrics to Let's Laugh About It Later explore themes of isolation, dissatisfaction, and the search for meaning in a confusing world.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's get stupid drunk on the roof of an abandoned building
Let's drink excessively on the roof of a deserted structure.
At four-thirty in the afternoon.
At an unusual time of day.
We'll sit in lawnchairs and stare at the people.
We'll watch the passersby from our seats.
They all look like ants.
They appear tiny from afar.
I swear that I can see your house from here.
I believe I can spot your residence in the distance.
And it goes without saying
This is evident.
But it's always said,
It's frequently mentioned.
That tomorrow we will wake up
We will rouse in the morning.
Inside your bed,
In your sleeping quarters.
With the bitter recollections
Recollecting bitter memories.
Of a romance killed,
The end of a romantic relationship.
And another tired night of being unfulfulled.
Another disappointing night of dissatisfaction.
But
However
Isn't this what you wanted?
Isn't this what you desired?
Why act so disappointed?
Why be upset about it now?
Well, I know that living in the city
I understand that living in an urban area
Will do that to you.
can have that effect on you.
So why do you have to
Why must you
Always be so goddamn helpless?
Always seem so powerless?
Isn't this what you wanted?
Isn't this what you desired?
So lets pack up our things and douse this building
Let's collect our belongings and soak this structure
With the gasoline that we hid under the floorboards.
Using the gasoline we concealed beneath the floorboards.
We'll strike one match and make sure
We'll ignite one match and ensure
That this city, it never breathes again,
That this metropolis ceases to exist,
And hope that we will be the first ones to go.
And desire to be among the first to depart.
And I wish it could be simple,
I wish it could be uncomplicated.
But it never will,
But it won't happen.
Because the things that make us stronger
As the things that make us more resilient.
Are the things that kill.
Are what also harm us.
And the sooner we can get ourselves out of this,
And the earlier we can extract ourselves from this situation,
Is the sooner we can learn from this experience.
The earlier we can learn from this ordeal.
But
However
Isn't this what you wanted?
Isn't this what you desired?
Why act so disappointed?
Why be upset about it now?
Well, I know that living in the city
I understand that living in an urban area
Will do that to you.
can have that effect on you.
So why do you have to
Why must you
Always be so goddamn helpless?
Always seem so powerless?
Isn't this what you wanted?
Isn't this what you desired?
Contributed by Annabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.