The duo has released nine studio albums so far: Under Feet Like Ours (1999), This Business of Art (2000), If It Was You (2002), So Jealous (2004), The Con (2007), Sainthood (2009), Heartthrob (2013), Love You to Death (2016) and Hey, I'm Just Like You (2019). They also issued the live album/DVD Get Along in 2011 and their memoir High School in 2019.
Tegan and Sara initially played as Plunk in 1995, and lacked a drummer and bass player. In 1997, they used their school’s recording studio to record two demo albums: Who's in Your Band? and Play Day.
In 1998, they made an early breakthrough by winning Garage Warz Battle of the Bands, a local music competition in Calgary. Since then, the two have toured with Neil Young, Rufus Wainwright, Kaki King, The Pretenders, Ben Folds, The Killers, Rachael Cantu, Vivek Shraya, Cake, Gogol Bordello, Hot Hot Heat, Ryan Adams, Veda Hille, Little Birdy, Iron On, Little Brazil, Bryan Adams, and Weezer, and they performed a show at Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair.
They are signed to Neil Young's Vapor Records in Canada, and to Sire in the United States as their previous label, Sanctuary Records, is no longer releasing new music in the United States.
When they were competing in Garage Warz, they were known as "Sara and Tegan" because that is how their mother registered them on the competition forms. Their first album, Under Feet Like Ours, was initially released under the name "Sara and Tegan". While both twins are similarly involved in vocals and playing instruments, the singing of the lead melody usually goes to whichever twin wrote the particular song. The two hardly sang together in the recordings of their early records, but they started to more on their later records and when live.
On their 2004 album, So Jealous, the two lend their unusual voices and simple guitar riffs to power pop ballads about love and emotional, haunting songs such as "Walking With a Ghost".
The fifth album, The Con, released July 24, 2007, showed a shift in style towards darker tunes compared to the relatively upbeat indie pop of So Jealous. The singles "Back in Your Head", "The Con" and "Call It Off" were issued to support the album. The twins toured the album for over a year and a half.
Their sixth studio album, entitled Sainthood, was released on October 27th, 2009, to generally positive reviews. The album included the singles "Hell", "Alligator", "On Directing" and "Northshore".
Tegan and Sara also collaborated with many other artists, including Tiësto for the single "Feel It in My Bones" (from the album Kaleidoscope, 2009), and Morgan Page for the single "Body Work" (from the album In the Air, 2012).
"Closer", the first single from their seventh album was produced by Californian pop producer Greg Kurstin. The song was made available for download September 25, 2012. On 29 January 2013, Tegan and Sara released their seventh studio album, Heartthrob.
The duo's eighth studio album, titled Love You To Death, was released on 3 June 2016. The lead single Boyfriend was released on 8 April. Greg Kurstin returned as the producer.
On October 20, 2017, the duo released a compilation album titled Tegan and Sara Present the Con X: Covers, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of The Con. The compilation contains covers of each song performed by various artists, as well as a previously unreleased demo “Miami Still”, performed by the duo. The proceeds of the record and subsequent tour benefitted the Tegan and Sara Foundation, which raises money for self-identified women and girls in the LGBTQ community.
The duo released their memoir, High School, on 27 September 2019. It recounts their childhood and adolescence growing up in Alberta in the 1990s as well as their musical beginnings. The book debuted at number fifteen on The New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction best-sellers list. Along with the book, Tegan and Sara's released their ninth studio album, Hey, I'm Just Like You, which contains re-recordings of unreleased demo songs that the duo recorded as teenagers. The record was produced by Alex Hope and is the first Tegan and Sara record produced, performed, engineered, mixed, and mastered by a team of all women. The band embarked on a US, Canada and UK tour to promote the book and album, playing mostly acoustically, reading excerpts from the book and incorporating old video footage from the band's teenage years.
The current live touring band members include Ted Gowans (guitar; 2004-present), Jasper Leak (bass; 2012-present), John Spence (keyboards; 2012-present), and Adam Christgau (drums; 2013-present). Former live touring band members include Johnny Andrews (drums; 2006-2010), Shaun Huberts (bass; 2007-2010), Dan Kelly (bass; 2007), Chris Carlson (bass; 2001-2005), Rob Chursinoff (drums; 2001-2005) and Jason McGerr (drums; 2012).
Official site: http://www.teganandsara.com
How Come You Don
Tegan and Sara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't say that I'm sorry, for loving you and hating myself
I have nothing to show you
I have nothing to hold you down
It's killing me to walk away
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you wanna wait this out?
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Why don't you wanna show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?
I see you by my house, walking with a different girl
I see you by my house, talking with a different girl
She's got nothing to show you, she's got nothing to hold you down
You're killing me, walk away
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you wanna wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Why don't you wanna show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?
One day, soon
I won't be the one who waits on you (I won't be the one)
So damn soon
I won't be the one who waits on you
How come you don't want me now?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you wanna wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Why don't you wanna show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you wanna wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you wanna win me now?
Why don't you wanna show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try, couldn't try and keep me here?
The song "How Come You Don't Want Me Now" by Tegan and Sara is a heartbreaking track about unreciprocated love, and the emotional struggle that comes with it. The first verse, "I can't say that I’m sorry, came so ahead of myself. I can’t say that I’m sorry, for loving you and hating myself," suggest that the singer regrets admitting their feelings too soon, and is now left with the pain of loving someone who doesn't feel the same way. The chorus, "How come you don’t want me now? Why don’t you wanna weight this up? How come you always leave me, or never take my call, hear me out? Why don’t you wanna win me now? Why don’t you wanna show me off? Tell me why you’re gonna try, gonna try and leave me here?" expresses the singer’s confusion as to why their love is not being reciprocated, and their desire for the other person to give them a chance.
The second verse is particularly poignant, "I see you by my house, walking with a different girl, I see you by my house, talking with a different girl. She’s got nothing to show you, she’s got nothing to hold you down. You’re killing me to walk away." The singer is heartbroken to see the person they love with someone else, knowing that the other person doesn't have anything special to offer, and yet they are still left alone. The final chorus, "How come you don’t want me now? Why don’t you wanna weight this up? How come you always leave me, You never take my call, hear me out? Why don’t you wanna win me now? Why don’t you wanna show me off? Tell me why you’re gonna try, gonna try and leave me here?" is a final plea for the other person to give them a chance and is full of sadness and pain.
Overall, "How Come You Don't Want Me Now" is a powerful and emotionally charged track that captures the pain of unrequited love in a way that is relatable to many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I can’t say that I’m sorry, came so ahead of myself.
I cannot apologize for my actions because I was acting on impulse without thinking it through.
I can’t say that I’m sorry, for loving you and hating myself.
I cannot apologize for loving you and having conflicted emotions about myself.
I’ve nothing to show you,
I have no achievements or things to impress you with.
I’ve nothing to hold you down.
I have no control over you, you are free to do as you wish.
It’s killing me to walk away.
Leaving you is causing me emotional pain.
How come you don’t want me now?
Why don't you desire me anymore?
Why don’t you wanna weight this up?
Why don't you want to consider our relationship?
How come you always leave me,
Why do you always abandon me?
Or never take my call, hear me out?
Why do you ignore me and not listen to what I have to say?
Why don’t you wanna win me now?
Why don't you want to pursue me and win my affection again?
Why don’t you wanna show me off?
Why don't you want to display me proudly as your partner in public?
Tell me why you’re gonna try, gonna try and leave me here?
Explain why you are attempting to leave me behind without proper closure or explanation.
I see you by my house, walking with a different girl,
I notice you near my house, walking with another woman.
I see you by my house, talking with a different girl.
I observe you near my house, conversing with someone else.
She’s got nothing to show you, she’s got nothing to hold you down.
The other woman has nothing to offer you, she cannot anchor you down.
You’re killing me walk away.
You leaving me is causing me great pain.
One day, soon
In the near future.
I won’t be the one who waits on you.
I will no longer wait for you.
So damn soon
Very soon.
How come you don’t want me now?
Why do you no longer desire me?
Why don’t you wanna win me now?
Why don't you want to try to pursue and win my love again?
Tell me why you’re gonna try, gonna try and leave me here?
Please explain why you are attempting to abandon me without any closure or explanation.
You never take my call, hear me out?
You consistently ignore my calls and never listen to what I have to say.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Antonoff, Sara Keirsten Quin, Tegan Rain Quin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M A
I can't say that I'm sorry
For getting so ahead of myself
I can't say that I'm sorry
For loving you and hating myself
I had nothing to show you
I had nothing to hold you down
It's killing me to walk away
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you want to wait this out?
How come you always lead me on,
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Why don't you want to show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try,
Couldn't try and keep me here
I see you by my house
Walking with a different girl
I see you by my house
Talking with a different girl
She's got nothing to show you
She's got nothing to hold you down
You're killing me to walk away
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you want to wait this out?
How come you always lead me on,
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Why don't you want to show me off?
Tell me why you're gonna try
Gonna try and leave me here?
One day soon
I won't be the one who waits for you
Someday soon
I won't be the one who waits for you
How come you don't want me now?
How come you always lead me on,
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Tell me why you couldn't try,
Couldn't try and keep me here
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you want to wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Why don't you want to show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try,
Couldn't try and keep me here
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you want to wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Why don't you want to show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try,
Couldn't try and keep me here
M A
I can't say that I'm sorry
For getting so ahead of myself
I can't say that I'm sorry
For loving you and hating myself
I had nothing to show you
I had nothing to hold you down
It's killing me to walk away
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you want to wait this out?
How come you always lead me on,
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Why don't you want to show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try,
Couldn't try and keep me here
I see you by my house
Walking with a different girl
I see you by my house
Talking with a different girl
She's got nothing to show you
She's got nothing to hold you down
You're killing me to walk away
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you want to wait this out?
How come you always lead me on,
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Why don't you want to show me off?
Tell me why you're gonna try
Gonna try and leave me here?
One day soon
I won't be the one who waits for you
Someday soon
I won't be the one who waits for you
How come you don't want me now?
How come you always lead me on,
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Tell me why you couldn't try,
Couldn't try and keep me here
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you want to wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Why don't you want to show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try,
Couldn't try and keep me here
How come you don't want me now?
Why don't you want to wait this out?
How come you always lead me on
Never take my call, hear me out?
Why don't you want to win me now?
Why don't you want to show me off?
Tell me why you couldn't try,
Couldn't try and keep me here
theodoriadyr
This song is totally amazing and got it on replay after watching The Duff it totally have the right words. Love it!!!
Heather Puckett
I absolutely love tegan and sara. They are beautiful inside and out, they sing like an angel, and always relate their songs to their life. Love them 💗💕💜💓💋
Derrick Bouchard
Very impressive work, T & S. Nice to see that there are still artists out there that can put their emotions into a song still. Keep up the good work.
funtimehappytime
The only problem with this song is that it's too short. Gimme one more verse and a couple more addictive choruses!! Then my heart will be broken good and proper!
Itzia Ramos
Went to a Tegan and Sara concert, the other day, and I swear those two minutes were one of the best of my life.
datinyone
fantastic tune.. the more you listen to it, the better it becomes.. maybe i just love Sara's range.. she's got a great voice!
Pink Tink
don't say "tune" to try and sound unique and different
Itzel Herondale
datinyone
Neb6
Don't you think you're nit-picking? People can use whatever term that fits (tune, song, track, ...). Who cares? Are you some kind of unimaginative ultra-conformist or something?