Tanlines was formed in 2008 after Cohen and Emm worked together producing a song for Cohen's band, Professor Murder. Emm had previously worked as a producer for other bands with his brother Joshua Topolsky and had also performed in the bands Don Caballero and Storm & Stress. In 2009, Tanlines opened several times on tour for Julian Casablancas.
After releasing several remixes for bands that included Au Revoir Simone, The Tough Alliance, El Guincho, and Telepathe, the band collaborated with Salem to release a split EP entitled S.A.W. in early 2010.
The band's first EP of their own music, Settings, was released in March 2010 and was praised by Pitchfork as "an enjoyable listen" and "a punchy introduction to what these guys do well." In November 2010, Tanlines released Tanlines, a compilation of all their released music up to that date and several other tracks and remixes.
The band has played with Vampire Weekend, The xx, Rick Ross, Yeasayer, Health, and Delorean.
Bees
Tanlines Lyrics
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Oh-way-oh!
One thought they'd tell about you,
Whoa-oh!
One thought they'd know about you,
Oh-way-oh!
One thought they'd tell about you,
One thought they'd know about you,
Oh-way-oh!
One thought they'd tell about you,
Whoa-oh!
What you see,
What you can not believe, I
do not choose, I
do not choose, I
oh-oh-oh-oh!
One thought they'd know about you,
Oh-way-oh!
One thought they'd tell about you,
Whoa-oh!
Can't you see?
You got the robes (?) for me, I
do not think, I
do not think I forsee see this happenin'
happenin' happenin'
oh-oh-oh-oh!
Way-oh-oh! Way-oh-oh-oh!
Way-oh-oh! Way-oh-oh-oh!
Oh-oh-oh!
The lyrics of Tanlines' song "Bees" seem to be about the confusion surrounding a person's identity, and the different perceptions people have about this person. The repetition of the lines "One thought they'd know about you" and "One thought they'd tell about you" emphasizes the idea that there are various opinions and assumptions made about this person. The use of the phrase "Oh-way-oh" and "Whoa-oh" throughout the song adds to the feeling of uncertainty and confusion.
The following lines, "What you see, what you cannot believe, I do not choose," suggest that the person is struggling with how they are being perceived by others, and perhaps does not have control over the assumptions made about them. The line "I do not choose" implies that the person cannot change how they are being seen by others. The repetition of "oh-oh-oh-oh" in this section adds to the feeling of frustration and helplessness.
The last verse, "Can't you see? You got the robes (?) for me, I do not think, I do not think I foresee see this happening," adds to the sense of confusion and lack of control. The use of the word "robes" is unclear, but it could be interpreted as a metaphor for expectations, responsibilities, or roles that the person is expected to take on. The repetition of "happenin'" and "oh-oh-oh-oh" at the end of the verse reinforces the sense of uncertainty and chaos.
Overall, the lyrics of "Bees" seem to express the idea that people often have different perceptions of a person, and that it can be difficult to control these perceptions. The repetition of certain phrases and the use of unclear metaphors add to the feeling of confusion and frustration.
Line by Line Meaning
One thought they'd know about you, Oh-way-oh!
There were people who believed that they knew everything about you.
One thought they'd tell about you, Whoa-oh!
There were also people who thought that they had stories to tell about you.
What you see, What you can not believe, I do not choose, I do not choose, I oh-oh-oh-oh!
I cannot control what you perceive or what you refuse to believe. I have no say in it.
Can't you see? You got the robes (?) for me, I do not think, I do not think I forsee see this happenin' happenin' happenin' oh-oh-oh-oh!
The situation that we find ourselves in is not what I had expected. It's hard to accept it, but you seem to be alright with it.
Way-oh-oh! Way-oh-oh-oh! Way-oh-oh! Way-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh-oh!
These lines are a repetition of the chorus and do not convey any specific meaning.
Writer(s): Jesse Cohen, Eric Topolsky
Contributed by Sophia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.