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."
On and On
Tapes 'n Tapes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I have gone away
It′s not so bad with you not here
And I have gone to stay
Holy moses, rinse my ears
And I have gone along
When you're gone, I'll disappear
On and on
And on and on
And on and on
And on and on
On and on
And on and on
And on and on
And on and on
Take your hand off of my head
And I will go
We lock eyes and knock our heads
And I am bad at this
And I am not original
And I am not an overtone
Look up my dear and hold my close
′Cause i will go back home
On and on
And on and on
And on and on
And on and on
On and on
And on and on
And on and on
And on and on
The lyrics to Tapes 'n Tapes's "On And On" are somewhat cryptic, but seem to be about the struggle to move on from a relationship. The opening lines suggest a feeling of relief when a significant other is not around, and a desire to stay away. Later in the song, the singer seems to falter, indicating that they may not be entirely sure of their own motivations. The repeated refrain of "on and on" suggests that the cycle of relationship problems is continuing without end.
The line "Holy moses, rinse my ears" is particularly interesting, as it seems like an exclamation made to block out the sound of someone else's voice--perhaps the voice of a persuasive former partner. The lyric "Take your hand off of my head / And I will go" implies a sense of oppression and control by the partner, while the line "And I am not original / And I am not an overtone" suggests a feeling of inadequacy.
Despite the vague imagery and sometimes disjointed feeling of the lyrics, "On And On" creates a sense of emotional turbulence that fits perfectly with its subject matter.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're tired, it's not so near
When one is tired, time seems to stretch out and distance is perceived differently.
And I have gone away
I have left your presence.
It's not so bad with you not here
Being away from you isn't as difficult as expected.
And I have gone to stay
I have left with no intention of returning anytime soon.
Holy moses, rinse my ears
An expression of surprise or shock, followed by a request for a change of topic.
And I have gone along
I have followed your lead.
When you're gone, I'll disappear
Without your presence, I become invisible or insignificant.
And I'll hear you say
Your words will continue to resonate with me.
On and on
Things continue endlessly.
Take your hand off of my head
Stop trying to control me or influence my thoughts.
And I will go
I will leave this situation or relationship.
We lock eyes and knock our heads
Our interactions are awkward or problematic.
And I am bad at this
I am not good at relating to you or communicating effectively in this situation.
And I am not original
I lack creativity or originality in my approach or thinking.
And I am not an overtone
I am not prominent or significant in this situation.
Look up my dear and hold me close
Please pay attention to me and give me comfort.
'Cause I will go back home
I will eventually return to my safe and familiar surroundings.
Writer(s): Grier Josh
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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