Formed in the winter of 2003 at Carleton College, Tapes 'n Tapes gained popularity after a series of write-ups on music blogs, first on EAR FARM then on sites such as Music For Robots and Gorilla vs. Bear, leading some to cite them as the most recognizable examples of a "blog band". However, it wasn't until The Loon received a favorable review from Pitchfork Media, including a "best new music" commendation, that the band started to find success. Tapes 'n Tapes have been compared to such alternative bands as Pixies and Pavement, or the recent alt-pop phenomenon Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. After release of their self-titled EP, the band played with more well-known acts such as The Futureheads, The Streets, Metric, Calvin Johnson, and I Am the World Trade Center. The band made its American television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman on July 25, 2006, performing the song "Insistor." In 2006 the band did a Take-Away Show video session shot by Vincent Moon. They also performed at the Siren Music Festival in July of that same year. Tapes 'n Tapes performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2007, along with bands such as Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Björk.
Tapes 'n Tapes' musical style varies in tempo and in influence, ranging from fast-paced polka renditions to the slower, more blues-influenced songs. The publication Music Week described the band's song "Insistor" as "Part country, part rock...possess[ing] an emotional urgency that rivals Arcade Fire. This is promising stuff."
Conquest
Tapes 'n Tapes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of common sense
Can't hide the reader
Can't fill the trench
And what you hide
Is what I sold
And when you're next to me
The feeling's cold
In the book
At the age of stills
You make congress, Congress
Up in the mount
on the sea of chills
You went tireless, tireless
I will walk alone
Take Toll Take Time
And turn your face
Dismount your wall
Disband your state
The tides of thought
Are blowing in the wind
We'll stretch our seed
to the beaches of the fins
The path is clear
we'll keep clear on the side
and make our beds
in the beds of others
Don't talk lightly
In the book
At the age of stills
You make congress, congress
Up in the mount
At the sea of chills
You went tireless, Tireless
I will walk alone
Through miles and miles of bones
When you touch me I'm alone
When you tease me I'm alone
In the battle of the bones
In the battle of the bones
I'll be Up coming on
I'll be up and holding stong
We'll be holding up for long
We'll be holding up for long
You'll be hiding from our deeds
On the whole and on your knees
You will hide your women
Hide your women
Hide your women
In the book
At the age of stills
You make congress, congress
Up in the mount
At the sea of chills
You went tireless, tireless
You've been running in for the kill
Look down to the south and on to the fields
I've been a rider
I've been a shill
for conquest, conquest
I will walk alone
Through miles and miles of bones
We'll up our highness
Off our shyness
Bring it to your home
The lyrics to Tapes 'n Tapes's song "Conquest" contain vivid imagery and cryptic phrases that can be open to interpretation. The song seems to convey a sense of isolation and detachment, with the singer feeling cold and alone even when other people are nearby. The opening lines suggest that common sense and rational thinking can only go so far in bridging the gap between people. The use of the metaphors of a reader and a trench suggests a sense of distance and separation that cannot be easily overcome.
There are several mentions throughout the song of a book, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for knowledge or personal history. The reference to "the age of stills" suggests a sense of nostalgia or looking back on the past. The line "you make Congress, Congress" is confusing but could suggest a sense of exerting control or influence over others. The mention of a mount and a sea of chills creates a sense of danger or treachery, with the singer having to navigate through difficult terrain alone.
The chorus contains the repeating line "I will walk alone through miles and miles of bones," which creates a somber and somewhat ominous tone. The final stanza suggests a sense of triumph or victory, with the singer asserting their independence and determination to overcome obstacles. The final lines, "We'll up our highness off our shyness / Bring it to your home" suggest a newfound confidence and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
A Million Miles
Of common sense
Can't hide the reader
Can't fill the trench
No matter how far you travel or how intelligent you are, you can't run away from the truth and you can't conceal the emptiness inside.
And what you hide
Is what I sold
And when you're next to me
The feeling's cold
Don't tread lightly
The secrets you keep are the same things I've pretended not to notice. When we're together, the atmosphere is uncomfortable and tense. This situation should not be taken lightly.
In the book
At the age of stills
You make congress, Congress
Up in the mount
on the sea of chills
You went tireless, tireless
I will walk alone
As I read through this chapter in my life and age of stagnation, you're making deals and alliances on the mountain top. Although you're putting a lot of effort into your conquest, I'm content to go it alone.
Take Toll Take Time
And turn your face
Dismount your wall
Disband your state
The tides of thought
Are blowing in the wind
We'll stretch our seed
to the beaches of the fins
The path is clear
we'll keep clear on the side
and make our beds
in the beds of others
Don't talk lightly
Gradually slow down and reconsider your actions. Take apart the defense mechanisms you've built up and relinquish your power. Change is coming and we must adapt to it. We'll spread our influence far and wide, but tread carefully and don't underestimate the impact of our actions on others.
When you touch me I'm alone
When you tease me I'm alone
In the battle of the bones
In the battle of the bones
I'll be Up coming on
I'll be up and holding stong
We'll be holding up for long
We'll be holding up for long
You'll be hiding from our deeds
On the whole and on your knees
You will hide your women
Hide your women
Hide your women
Despite your attempts to affect me, I remain detached and on my own. We're facing a difficult challenge, but I'm ready to put up a fight and persevere. We'll hold our ground resolutely, while you scramble to avoid responsibility and protect your own interests, even resorting to objectifying and subjugating women.
You've been running in for the kill
Look down to the south and on to the fields
I've been a rider
I've been a shill
for conquest,Conquest
I will walk alone
Through miles and miles of bones
It's clear that you're highly motivated and aggressively pursuing whatever it is that you want. As for me, I've played the game and been used as a pawn. I'll continue on my own path, even if it means traversing an endless landscape of obstacles and difficulties.
We'll up our highness
Off our shyness
Bring it to your home
We'll embrace our confidence and break out of our timidness. We'll assert ourselves and make our presence known, even in places where we're not expected to be.
Contributed by Hailey S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.