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."
Insistor
Tapes 'n Tapes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your brother is a blister
I'll be had if I'm in your dress tonight
When you go and you're all alone
Are you still afraid of home
Do you lie in bed with fright
Your brother said I fought her
But I stood still and I'm in your arms tonight
And when you rush I'll call your name
Like Harvard Square holds all inane
And don't you know I'll be your badger
And don't be terse and don't be shy
Just hug my lips and say good lies
And know that I will be your bail bond
Mickey the ol' lithper
Said hey there hey mister
My cold razor's edge will meet you in the light
When you go and you're on stage
Is your heart still filled with rage?
Do you still fight for lover's rights?
Challenge is for lovers
But I run my feet hurt
So I'll stay here and fight for lover's rights
And when you rush I'll call your name
Like Harvard Square holds all inane
And don't you know I'll be your badger
And don't be terse and don't be shy
Just hug my lips and say good lies
And know that I will be your bail bond
Oh Kelly don't you go
Kelly don't you go
Kelly don't you go
I want you to know
That I've been trying, I've been lying
I've been stealing, I've been hiding
I will meet you in the grave
Kelly, Kelly, it's not your right
To be cheating, fighting and starting life
When my head and hands are tied to you so tight
Oh Kelly just tell me one more thing
Is it mine or is it some other ring
That you wear as we lie in bed tonight?
And Kelly, who's the logger?
Oh, Kelly, who's the logger?
Oh Kelly, who's the logger who's trees were felled with might?
And Kelly, hold your water
Oh Kelly, hold your water
Oh Kelly, Kelly, hold your water tight
And when you rush I'll call your name
Like Harvard Square holds all inane
And don't you know I'll be your badger
And don't be terse and don't be shy
Just hug my lips and say goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Goodbyebyebyebyebyebyebyebyebye
The song Insistor by Tapes 'n Tapes is filled with cryptic lines and metaphors that make it hard to place the narrative. However, it's clear that the song is about a complicated romantic relationship that is more toxic than it is fulfilling. The first verse talks about Kelly, who is called an "insistor." The use of the word insistor calls attention to the fact that Kelly is persistent in the relationship even though it seems to be going nowhere. She is also described as having a brother who's a blister, which could imply that their relationship was built on pain. The singer also suggests that he won't be in Kelly's dress tonight, which may indicate that he isn't going to change himself to fit Kelly's expectations.
In the second verse, we meet a new character named Mickey, who is described as a lithper. Mickey appears to be belligerent and itching for a fight. He threatens to use his "cold razor's edge" against the singer, indicating a dangerous temperament. The lyrics suggest that as Kelly performs on stage and fights for lover's rights, the singer is still willing to fight for the relationship, but his feet hurt, so he'll stay put. This could indicate that the singer is more passive about the relationship, and Kelly is doing most of the fighting.
Overall, the song seems to present an unhealthy relationship, where one partner is consistently fighting, while the other is merely trying to hold on. The lyrics are filled with cryptic references, so it's challenging to say anything more concrete than that.
Line by Line Meaning
Kelly the insistor
Kelly is stubborn and insistent
Your brother is a blister
Your brother is a source of pain or annoyance
I'll be had if I'm in your dress tonight
I refuse to do what you want me to do
When you go and you're all alone
Do you feel scared when you're alone?
Are you still afraid of home
Do you still fear being at home?
Do you lie in bed with fright
Do you feel afraid when you're lying in bed?
Your father said I lost her
Your father thinks I lost you
Your brother said I fought her
Your brother thinks I fought you
But I stood still and I'm in your arms tonight
Despite what they think, I am here with you
And when you rush I'll call your name
I will call out to you when you're in a rush
Like Harvard Square holds all inane
Just like how Harvard Square holds all kinds of people and things, I will be there for you in all situations
And don't you know I'll be your badger
I will be your protector and defender
And don't be terse and don't be shy
Don't be short and distant with me
Just hug my lips and say good lies
Tell me comforting and reassuring things
And know that I will be your bail bond
I will always be there to bail you out when you need it
Mickey the ol' lithper
Referring to someone named Mickey who has a lisp
Said hey there hey mister
Said hello to someone, probably the singer
My cold razor's edge will meet you in the light
Threatening the singer with a razor
When you go and you're on stage
When you go on stage to perform
Is your heart still filled with rage?
Do you still feel angry inside?
Do you still fight for lover's rights?
Do you still fight for the rights of lovers?
Challenge is for lovers
Challenges are common in relationships
But I run my feet hurt
But I am tired and need a break
So I'll stay here and fight for lover's rights
Despite being tired, I will continue fighting for the rights of lovers
Oh Kelly don't you go
Don't leave me, Kelly
I want you to know
I need you to understand
That I've been trying, I've been lying, I've been stealing, I've been hiding
I have been struggling and doing whatever necessary to keep you with me
I will meet you in the grave
I will always be there for you, even in death
Kelly, Kelly, it's not your right to be cheating, fighting and starting life
You shouldn't cheat, fight or start a new life without me
When my head and hands are tied to you so tight
I am bound to you and cannot be without you
Oh Kelly just tell me one more thing
Kelly, please answer one more question for me
Is it mine or is it some other ring
Is the ring on your finger from me or someone else?
That you wear as we lie in bed tonight?
Which ring are you wearing tonight, as we are in bed?
And Kelly, who's the logger?
Kelly, who cut down the trees?
Oh, Kelly, who's the logger?
Repeating the question, emphasizing its importance
Oh Kelly, who's the logger who's trees were felled with might?
Who was responsible for cutting down those trees with such force?
And Kelly, hold your water
Kelly, calm down
Oh Kelly, hold your water
Repeating the request, showing urgency
Oh Kelly, Kelly, hold your water tight
Kelly, please calm down and hold your emotions tightly
Goodbyebyebyebyebyebyebyebye
Repeating goodbye, indicating a final farewell
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@razmeister9807
The whole album was fantastic
@allhell138
I’m late to the party, these guys popped up on Spotify outta the blue, and I’ve been obsessed , this song in particular:)
@marco596
Ha! Here for the exact same reason. Don't know how I missed these guys.
@anaelisavillanuevad4012
still loving this song <3
@BergmansChild
Nice song, funky musicians, cool video.
@adas1023
ahead of its time.
@IamKevinFinnerty
Great song, reminds of a time when good new music was rife. Take me back.
@christ2691
+RockME AllDeus In other words, you value being thanked by someone on the internet more than helping the artists you enjoy by telling people about them? The term for that is douche.
@christ2691
+RockME AllDeus I'm not calling you names, I'm labeling your action. All you're doing is hurting the artist. Do as you wish.
@antoniorueda2411
great song