The group has released several EPs including their debut Young Liars (2003), and five studio albums: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004), Return to Cookie Mountain (2006), Dear Science (2008), Nine Types of Light (2011), and Seeds (2014).
For most of the band's existence, the core TV on the Radio lineup has been Tunde Adebimpe (vocals/loops), David Andrew Sitek (guitars/keyboards/loops), Kyp Malone (vocals/guitars/bass/loops), Jaleel Bunton (drums/vocals/loops/guitars) and Gerard Smith (bass/keyboards) as official members.
The band's Bio from their website:
TV on the Radio gets to do anything. Like a small platoon whose pleasing impenetrability is their core, the band consistently confounds expectations while managing to balance respect from critics and peers alike. The result is TV on the Radio gets to do anything they want. This freedom is their engine.
“It’s about doing what feels right,” says singer Tunde Adebimpe. “I really feel like this band is something that is expansive and always changing and growing. If we wear our influences on our sleeve, it’s a pretty crowded sleeve.”
It’s no different with Seeds, the new and fifth proper studio album that Adebimpe has made along with Jaleel Bunton, Kyp Malone, and David Andrew Sitek (who also produced it). Having long outlasted that early 2000s fascination with all things Brooklyn to which the hip willfully succumbed, they continue to conquer music on their own terms. This album serves as another step in continuing to heed their reputation as “the most vital, current band in America” (Associated Press).
This go-round the songs are immediate and triumphant, textured with storytelling hooks and possibly the most honest music this band has ever composed. They’ve hit a point where they’re OK being straight-up beautiful without having to manipulate prettiness into whatever unforeseen shape.
Slate says Seeds has “TV on the Radio’s best songs in years. They are sounding sharper than ever.” And the band knows it. Adebimpe has already said this is the band’s best record. Not a boast, just an observation.
“I feel like I knew it before we were done,” he says immediately. “I was so excited by the songs while we were making them, I wanted to get more and more and more into it. The general feeling going into it was, 'We're still here. Our friendship with each other is so strong. Being in a band, at its best times, is like being... well, let’s say whenever things are going really well, we're like ‘cool, Voltron's back together.’“
The TV on the Radio guys are the type of people who go on hiatus and focus on music. They may take time between albums for their other endeavors, but they know when it’s right to come together – especially when the music comes as easily and passionately as it did with case Seeds. The band found themselves collected in David Sitek’s Los Angeles studio last year and recorded a couple of songs – “Mercy” and “Million Miles” and didn’t want to stop.
“Those were just songs that we wrote because we hadn't written songs together in a while,” says Sitek “They came out really fast and inspired us to do it again – and then ‘again’ turned into the record.”
Adebimpe and Sitek live in Los Angeles, Bunton and Malone reside in New York, but make no mistake: TV on the Radio is a quartet. To attempt to parse out exactly what each member does in the group would be to dismantle the fundamental essence of what makes TV on the Radio the monolithic anomaly they have been careful to cultivate and protect for more than a decade. They permeate beyond a wall of sound, and instead create a planetarium of music with every song. They embody many voices. Most of them can play just about anything. And sing too. They are equal partners in the creation of a type of noise that appeared seemingly out of nowhere over 10 years ago.
Throughout the years, TV on the Radio has been consistent in the standard they set for themselves. Earlier records, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes and Return To Cookie Mountain stole the hearts of fans and critics alike just the same, winning the Shortlist Music Prize and Spin's Album of the Year respectively. Their breakout release Dear Science was named best album of 2008 by Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Spin Magazine, The New York Times, The Onion AV Club, MTV, even Entertainment Weekly. An embarrassment of riches, really. Their last album, 2011's Nine Types of Light, was deemed "pure heaven" by the cherubs at Rolling Stone, and earned the band a Grammy® nomination. The band has also graced the stages of Saturday Night Live and The Colbert Report.
“The band is it’s own ‘self.’ It has to be that way,” Adebimpe says. “That's been the goal for a long time. Nobody really wants to be the focal point for the band; the band should be the focal point. Not even the band: the music. We can show up and take credit for it, but ultimately it's something that maybe we helped shape and facilitate coming into the world. But that’s all.”
They happily recruit likeminded associates to help prop up this invention of theirs in the studio and on stage. (Kelis, for instance, appears on “Lazzeray”). The band has recorded and performed with other artists who’ve conquered the music world on their own terms just as much as they have. Fellow mavericks like Trent Reznor, Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fame, Bauhaus singer Peter Murphy, Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead, Martin Perna of Antibalas, Katrina Ford of Celebration, and David chuffing Bowie have all romped in the sandbox with TV on the Radio.
“If you share a material thing, it dissipates,” Adebimpe says, recalling a fragment of philosophy he once heard, or might be improvising on the spot. “If you share a spiritual thing, it just increases. It becomes more and more and more. I'm already thinking about the next record.”
Seeds is an expression of everything this band has been through in the last three years and more. They’re influential, in their prime, they’re TV on the Radio, and they’ve proven themselves to be one of the most important bands of this generation. It clicks, as it always does, and TV on the Radio is brand new again, again.
“No matter what you go through individually and collectively, when you step away from each other, you're kind of like, "I know that if we get together we can fire this thing," says Adebimpe. “It's definitely in the spirit of the punk rock we all grew up with. If you win, you're still a punk. If you lose, you're still a punk, and honestly, it's not about anybody else.”
http://www.tvontheradio.com/
The Wrong Way
TV on the Radio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the bright lights pointed at me
As a metaphor
Teachin' folks the score
About patience, understanding, agape babe
And sweet sweet amour
When I realized where I was
Oh, fist up signify
Or did I show off my soft shoe
Maybe teach 'em a boogaloo
Busy playing the whore
Oh loiterers united
Indivisible by shame
Hungry for those diamonds
Served on little severed bloody brown hands
Oh the bling drips
Oh the bling drips down
Fallin' down just like rain
I don't wanna cast pearls to swine
I don't wanna march peacefully
No no no no no no no no no
New negro politician
Is stirring
Is stirring
Is stirring inside me
No there's nothing inside me
But an angry heart beat
Can you feel this heart beat?
Oh fear we're fallin' off
Oh terror we're pained
Oh hunger we're stavin' off
Roasted vermin sustain
This shit will have to sustain
Shootin' doves from off balconies
They wanna shackle the lame
By now you know their game
Little niña arose
Went to stand by her payphone
Waited for her caller to ring, said
Ask me anything
I just asked for Her
I just asked for her say so
And with permission
I'm gonna take liberty
And I'm tellin' you to take it too
'Cause it's right there in front of you
Hey, desperate youth
Oh, blood thirsty babes
Oh your guns are pointed
Your guns are pointed the wrong way
Your guns are pointed the wrong way
TV on the Radio's song, The Wrong Way, is an anthem that tackles themes of societal issues, protests, and internal conflict. The opening lines, "Wake up in a magic nigga movie, With the bright lights pointed at me, As a metaphor Teachin' folks the score," refers to an experience in which the singer becomes aware of the injustices and disparities of society. He realizes that he has a duty to teach others about patience, understanding, love, and equality.
The lyrics' tone becomes more critical and challenging as the singer weighs the possible reactions to the situation he finds himself in. He contemplates whether to demonstrate, use his fists, or perform a soft shoe dance to engage his audience. He also expresses disgust for the ones who exploit others for their gain.
The song's chorus urges the youth to point their guns in the right direction, directing their anger and energy towards the source of the problem. The singer acknowledges that change is slow, and sometimes it seems like it's not coming, but they must remain persistent and continue pushing forward, despite the obstacles they face.
The song addresses important issues, including social inequality, racism, gun violence, and the struggle for justice. The powerful choruses and poetic verses leave an unmistakable impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up in a magic nigga movie
Starting out in a surreal place with bright lights like a movie, setting the tone for a metaphorical journey of enlightenment.
With the bright lights pointed at me
Feeling observed under the spotlight of scrutiny, but coming to an understanding of patience and love.
As a metaphor
The journey is a symbolic exploration, not a literal one.
Teachin' folks the score
Learning and sharing an understanding of life's lessons.
About patience, understanding, agape babe
Exploring themes of compassion, empathy, and unconditional love.
And sweet sweet amour
Reinforcing the idea of love as a powerful force for good.
When I realized where I was
Coming to a realization or understanding of the journey's purpose or destination.
Did I stend up and testify
Striving to speak out and take action for what is right and just.
Oh, fist up signify
Using powerful gestures or actions to convey a message of strength and solidarity.
Or did I show off my soft shoe
Toying with the idea of using more lighthearted or performative approaches to make a point.
Maybe teach 'em a boogaloo
Exploring unorthodox or unconventional teaching methods to try and reach people.
Busy playing the whore
A loss of focus or integrity, potentially sacrificing morals for temporary gain or pleasure.
Oh loiterers united
The collective struggles and pain of marginalized groups sharing a common bond.
Indivisible by shame
Refusing to feel ashamed of who you are or what you stand for no matter what society thinks.
Hungry for those diamonds
Expressing a deep desire for more material wealth or status symbols.
Served on little severed bloody brown hands
The human cost and exploitation of global capitalism and colonialism.
Oh the bling drips
A critique of the excess and decadence of consumer culture.
Oh the bling drips down
Reinforcing the idea of the allure and danger of material wealth.
Fallin' down just like rain
Symbolizing the overwhelming and unpredictable nature of societal pressures and expectations.
I don't wanna cast pearls to swine
Refusing to waste valuable things or wisdom on those who won't appreciate or understand them.
I don't wanna march peacefully
Rejecting the idea of quietly following along with the status quo and instead advocating for more radical change.
New negro politician
A desire for representation and leadership from someone who truly understands and shares the struggles of marginalized communities.
Is stirring
The hope for a new wave of passionate, activism-driven leaders.
No there's nothing inside me
A feeling of emptiness or disillusionment, potentially due to lack of progress or change.
But an angry heart beat
Despite feeling discouraged or defeated, there is still a driving and passionate desire for change.
Can you feel this heart beat?
Asking the listener to join in and feel the same burning passion for justice and equality.
Oh fear we're fallin' off
Acknowledging the potential for disaster or failure in social or political movements.
Oh terror we're pained
Experiencing intense fear, anxiety, and trauma as a result of unjust systems and oppression.
Oh hunger we're stavin' off
Pushing through adversity and working tirelessly towards change despite the odds.
Roasted vermin sustain
Living off of whatever scraps or resources are available, no matter how meager or unappetizing.
This shit will have to sustain
In order to survive, we must adapt and make do with whatever we have available.
Shootin' doves from off balconies
The potential for even the most peaceful or beautiful things to be exploited, corrupted, or destroyed.
They wanna shackle the lame
Oppressive forces seeking to keep marginalized people down, prevent progress, and maintain their own power.
By now you know their game
Exposing the patterns and motives of oppressive systems so that those affected can recognize and fight against them.
Little niña arose
Possibly referencing a young girl or symbolizing an innocent, vulnerable person who needs protection or guidance.
Went to stand by her payphone
An outdated or obsolete technology symbolizing the need for adaptation and evolution.
Waited for her caller to ring, said
Perceiving oneself as powerless, waiting and hoping for a change to come from an external source.
Ask me anything
Willingness to be open and answer any questions or address any issues, promoting dialogue and understanding.
I just asked for Her
Yearning for guidance or divine intervention to solve a problem or ease suffering.
I just asked for her say so
Trusting in a higher power or authority to provide clarity and direction.
And with permission
Acting with respect and obedience to an external force, acknowledging personal limitations or flaws.
I'm gonna take liberty
Asserting oneself and taking an active role in shaping one's own fate or direction.
And I'm tellin' you to take it too
Encouraging others to take action and assert their own agency and autonomy.
'Cause it's right there in front of you
Urge to seize opportunities and take control of one's life and destiny, realizing that change is possible.
Hey, desperate youth
Addressing a specific demographic that is struggling or marginalized.
Oh, blood thirsty babes
Acknowledging the potential for violence and aggression in oppressed or marginalized groups.
Oh your guns are pointed
Highlighting the potential for aggressive or violent behavior and its consequences.
Your guns are pointed the wrong way
Encouraging peaceful, productive solutions to problems instead of aggression or violence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BABATUNDE OMOROGA ADEBIMPE, DAVID ANDREW SITEK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind