Singer/ guitarist Boyer and bassist Resende formed the pop combo as students at the University of Rouen, sharing an affinity for indie music, new wave and sixties pop. Taking their name from a souvenir t-shirt given to Boyer's father in 1980, the duo recruited guitarist Mederic Gontier, and with the addition of drummer Sylvain Marchand a year later, the lineup was complete. The foursome released a self-produced and self-financed EP, "20 Minutes" (Bobby Records 1996) which resulted in them signing a deal with French label Atmospheriques.
In 1998, the band flew to NYC to record their first album “Puzzle” with Andy Chase. Featuring contributions from Eric Matthews and Adam Schlesinger, "Puzzle" was mixed in Sweden with Tore Johansson. The record, released between the end of 1999 & early 2000 received much praise from the press (band of the week in Melody Maker in Spring 1999), and saw the band touring the world to promote it. “Puzzle” eventually went gold in Japan. Of all the singles taken from the album, "Heartbeat" was the most successful. Tahiti 80's US label, Minty Fresh, released a mini LP called "Extra Pieces", which included B-sides, remixes & other rarities.
In 2001, the band re-united with Andy Chase to record a more experimental follow up album: “Wallpaper For The Soul”. The sessions took place in Rouen, NYC, Etretat, London & Portland (Oregon). Collaborators on this effort include mixer Tony Lash and Let It Be arranger Richard Hewson. “Wallpaper For The Soul” was released in 2002, garnered good reviews (it was selected as one of Uncut’s top 10 albums of the year) and was followed by another mini album "A piece of Sunshine" made up of out-takes from the prolific album sessions.
Following that, Xavier Boyer selected songs for a compilation called "A Piece of Gold” on behalf of the band. Featuring various artists such as Todd Rundgren, The Small Faces, Donald Byrd....) it was only released in Japan for copywrite reasons.
For their third album, from 2003 – 2004, Tahiti 80 spent several months at their own recording studio, the Tahitilab. The way of working was different this time: as opposed to "Puzzle" & "WFTS", the songs were mostly improvised and written in the studio. The soul journey which began on songs like "Heartbeat" and "1,000 Times" matured on "Fosbury". They collaborated with Neal Pogue (co-production & mix) and Serban Ghenea (mix), respectively Outkast’s and NERD’s sound engineers, with British singer Linda Lewis duetting on "Your Love Shines". And "Better Days Will Come" was featured in the first episode of the fourth season of Smallville (an American television series) in September, 2004.
Between tours, Boyer & Resende produced a couple of albums by friends (Fugu, Calc) whilst Xavier Boyer - under the anagram pseudonym Axe Riverboy - recorded the somewhat folk-influenced solo album "Tutu To Tango".
In 2007, the band transferred to Universal's Barclay label and in 2008, they went back to the Tahitilab to record "Activity Center". It was described by the critics as a back to basics album, with a rawer sound and a rock production style. Sylvain Marchand wasn't involved as a drummer as ear problems which had plagued him for years, prevented him from recording his drum parts. Drums were subsequently played by Julien Barbagallo with percussion by Raphael Leger (respectively Tahiti 80's live keyboardist/percussionist and drummer). To promote the album, the band explored new territories (Taiwan, South America) and they even licensed the album for release in the US on their own imprint "Human Sounds" (a reference to "Pet Sounds" by The Beach Boys).
In 2010, Tahiti 80 will record their 5th album for release on their own label.
chinatown
Tahiti 80 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just gave me a scare
I was daydreaming in the night
Something wasn't right
You know it's hard, babe (Make up your mind)
Come on, darling (Don't let me down)
You make me feel lost
Like I'm some kind of
I smiled, I shrugged, I acted like a man
Hoping it was all right
Reality came as no surprise
Turned me upside down
You got my letter, babe (Drop me a line)
So come on, darlin' (Don't let me down)
You make me feel lost
Like I'm some kind of
Country boy in Chinatown
Don't let me down
So come on, darlin'
You know it's hard, babe (Make up your mind)
Come on, darling (Don't let me down)
You make me feel lost
Like I'm some kind of
Country boy in Chinatown
The lyrics in Tahiti 80's song Chinatown speak of a struggle with finding one's place in the world, and a longing for a connection with someone who can make the singer feel less lost. The opening lines describe a failed attempt at soul-searching, which only led to fear and confusion. The singer then acknowledges feeling out of place ("Country boy in Chinatown") and seeks reassurance from a loved one. However, there is a sense of uncertainty in the relationship, as the singer pleads for consistency and communication ("Make up your mind", "Drop me a line", "Don't let me down"). The chorus repeats the feeling of being lost, turning the metaphor of Chinatown into a symbol for the singer's sense of displacement and lack of direction.
The lyrics are emotionally charged and relatable, as they touch on universal themes of self-discovery, relationships, and the search for belonging. The use of metaphors and imagery adds depth and complexity to the song's meaning, while the catchy melody and upbeat rhythm create a contrast with the melancholic lyrics. Overall, Chinatown is a thoughtful and introspective song that invites the listener to reflect on their own struggles and aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
Soul searching brought me nowhere
Despite searching within myself, I could not find any answers or direction.
Just gave me a scare
The lack of direction or purpose was frightening and concerning for me.
I was daydreaming in the night
I was lost in thought, perhaps hoping for a solution, but found none.
Something wasn't right
There was a feeling of unease, a sense that things were not as they should be.
You know it's hard, babe (Make up your mind)
It can be difficult to make a decision or choose a path forward.
Come on, darling (Don't let me down)
I am counting on you to support me and not disappoint me.
You make me feel lost
Your actions or lack of guidance leave me feeling adrift and without direction.
Like I'm some kind of
Country boy in Chinatown
I feel out of place or like a stranger in a foreign land, unsure of what to do or where to go.
I smiled, I shrugged, I acted like a man
I tried to put on a brave face and appear confident, but inside I was struggling.
Hoping it was all right
I wished that everything was okay, but deep down I knew it wasn't.
Reality came as no surprise
When things turned out poorly, I wasn't shocked because I had suspected it all along.
Turned me upside down
The disappointment and confusion I felt was overwhelming and disorienting.
You got my letter, babe (Drop me a line)
I have reached out to you for help or guidance and hope to hear back from you soon.
So come on, darlin' (Don't let me down)
I am still relying on you to be there for me and offer support.
Don't let me down
I am putting my trust in you and hope you don't disappoint me.
You know it's hard, babe (Make up your mind)
I am struggling to make a decision and could use your advice or input.
Come on, darling (Don't let me down)
I am still counting on you to be there for me and help me through this difficult time.
You make me feel lost
You are not providing the guidance or support I need, leaving me feeling without direction or purpose.
Like I'm some kind of
Country boy in Chinatown
Once again, I feel out of place and unsure of what to do or where to turn for help.
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.