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.
puzzle
Tahiti 80 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinking about troubles of your own
You dream of the day
You will accept your reflections all alone
You're not the only one
To feel that way you know
I'm not the only one
You know that's why
I'd like to be somebody else
Somebody without feelings
Only sensations and money
There is nothing within my range
That can bring this radical change
Everyday's the same
The story's rather tame
Among everyone I know
No one ever shows
What in their heart grows
Or I guess I don't want to know
I'm afraid of what I'd see
People disgust me
When I find out what they're all about
You're not the only one
To feel that way you know
I'm not the only one
To feel that emptiness in me
You know that's why
I'd like to be somebody else
Somebody without feelings
Only sensations and money
Only sensations,
Sensations, sensations, and money
The lyrics of Tahiti 80's song "Puzzle" convey feelings of loneliness, isolation and longing for a different life. The singer addresses someone who spends their days thinking about their troubles, dreaming of a day when they can accept themselves alone. These feelings are universal, and the singer acknowledges that they also feel an emptiness within themselves. The repetition of the line "you're not the only one" and "I'm not the only one" shows that these thoughts and feelings are not uncommon.
The singer goes on to express a desire to be someone else, someone without feelings, only focused on sensual experiences and money. This is a poignant commentary on the idea of people using money and material possessions as a substitute for happiness and emotional fulfillment. The line "people disgust me when I find out what they're all about" highlights a disillusionment with humanity and a reluctance to truly understand the people around them.
Overall, "Puzzle" is a melancholic reflection on the search for meaning and happiness in a world that can often feel empty and unsatisfying.
Line by Line Meaning
You spend your days on your own
You pass your days by yourself.
Thinking about troubles of your own
Reflecting on your own problems.
You dream of the day
You aspire to the occasion
You will accept your reflections all alone
You will come to terms with your own thoughts while being solitary.
You're not the only one
Others feel the same way.
To feel that way you know
Experiencing the same emotion.
I'm not the only one
I also have the same loneliness.
To feel that emptiness in me
Feeling the same hollowness.
You know that's why
That's the reason why you recognize
I'd like to be somebody else
I wish to change who I am.
Somebody without feelings
Someone devoid of emotions.
Only sensations and money
Just experience and wealth.
There is nothing within my range
Nothing that I can do.
That can bring this radical change
Bringing a significant modification in circumstances.
Everyday's the same
Every day is alike.
The story's rather tame
The plot is subdued.
Among everyone I know
From everyone that I know.
No one ever shows
No one ever presents
What in their heart grows
What they feel inside.
Or I guess I don't want to know
Perhaps, I assume that I don't want to comprehend.
I'm afraid of what I'd see
I'm scared of what I would observe.
People disgust me
Individuals abhor me.
When I find out what they're all about
Once I discover their true selves.
Only sensations,
Sensations alone,
Sensations, sensations, and money
Sensations, sensations, and wealth.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: MEDERIC CHARLES DENIS GONTIER, RESENDE PEDRO CARLOS DA SILVA, SYLVAIN EDMOND MARCEL MARCHAND, XAVIER ANDRE MARIE BOYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind