Zammuto and de Jong met through a friend in New York City. Sharing similar interests but different backgrounds in acoustic music and found sound, Zammuto and de Jong took their sonic experiments to the studio. Eventually, with some urging by Tom Steinle of Tomlab Records, they created what would become their debut record, 'Thought for Food', in 2002. Within a year, the Books relocated to Hot Springs, NC, and recorded and released 'The Lemon of Pink'. With a lot of favorable word of mouth and critical buzz from the first two records, the Books relocated again in winter of 2004 and recorded in an old Victorian home in North Adams, MA. With the release of 'Lost and Safe' in April of 2005, the Books prepared to tour with their unique blend of samples and acoustic music. All three Books albums were released on Tomlab Records.
One of the most unique aspects of the band was the video compositions which play during their live performances. Video was synched with the music and provide visuals to coincide with the many found-sounds the band employs. According to the band, much of the video was pulled from home movies and ephemeral films bought from thrift stores. For example, on the track entitled 'A Cold Freezin' Night', the many audio samples were pulled from Tiger Electronics Talkboy tapes also acquired from thrift stores.
In the late 2000s, The Books announced the addition of a third member of the band, who plays violin, guitar, and electronics. In August 2010, their final album entitled 'The Way Out' was released on Temporary Residence. 2012 saw a compilation release 'A Dot in Time.'
In early 2012, Nick Zammuto announced the end of the duo and the beginning of his solo project Zammuto. Subsequently, Paul de Jong released two solo albums.
All Our Base Are Belong to Them
The Books Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
8
7 [I heard you got to the top this year]
6
5
4
3
2
[*Cheering*]
[Wooo! Peter you did do well!]
[Oh no I was just cleaning my throat]
[How do you do? Welcome to the human race. ..You're a mess.]
I was born on the day the music died
In essence and in excellence
You can get it any time so yes but unless
You can ride downtown and stay warm by the fire
[...good time to make an annoucnement]
[Yaaa?]
[This june.. Erica and myself are gonna have a little baby]
[*Laughter*]
[You're father pointed out that you said copy]
I was born on the day the music died
In essence and in excellence
You can get it any time so yes but unless
You can ride downtown and stay warm by the fire
I know where to go but I don't know where to stand
Moving in boredom but I'm sitting around
You can hop on down and stay warm by the fire
I was born on the day the music died
The Books’s song "All Our Base Are Belong to Them" is a dense and enigmatic composition which creates an unsettling and discordant atmosphere. The lyrics, although obscure, suggest the feeling of alienation and lack of orientation in a world that is rapidly losing its coherence. The song opens with a countdown, giving the impression of being launched into a journey, perhaps into existential or metaphysical depths. The countdown is followed by a short dialogue between two people, one of whom has achieved success ("I heard you got to the top this year"), while the other is dismissive ("Oh no I was just cleaning my throat") and expresses the theme of the song, which is the precariousness of identity and the human condition ("How do you do? Welcome to the human race...You're a mess").
The lyrics then shift to a cryptic refrain, "I was born on the day the music died, in essence and in excellence, you can get it anytime so yes but unless you can ride downtown and stay warm by the fire". This line is repeated twice and forms the core of the song, suggesting that the singer is trapped in a cycle of confusion and isolation, unable to find a way out. The following lines echo this sense of disorientation and uncertainty, with the singer acknowledging the need to move forward but not knowing where to stand or what direction to take ("I know where to go but I don't know where to stand, moving in boredom but I'm sitting around"). The song ends with the refrain, which is repeated one last time, conveying a sense of resignation and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard you got to the top this year
Congratulations on your success this year.
Go ahead!
Feel free to proceed or take action.
*Cheering*
Sounds of excitement or support from a crowd.
Wooo! Peter you did do well!
More congratulations for Peter's achievements.
Oh no I was just cleaning my throat
A response to someone mistaking a cough for a statement or question.
How do you do? Welcome to the human race. ..You're a mess.
A somewhat sarcastic welcome to someone with flaws or problems.
This june.. Erica and myself are gonna have a little baby
An announcement of a forthcoming addition to the family.
*Laughter*
Response to a humorous statement or situation.
You're father pointed out that you said copy
A comment correcting someone's statement or behavior.
I was born on the day the music died
An opening statement or introduction to the song.
In essence and in excellence
A declaration of the highest quality or essence.
You can get it any time so yes but unless
An assertion that something is available but with certain conditions.
You can ride downtown and stay warm by the fire
A suggestion for comfort and security from the cold outside.
I know where to go but I don't know where to stand
An admission of uncertainty or confusion about one's position or direction.
Moving in boredom but I'm sitting around
A statement of feeling stuck or unfulfilled despite being in motion.
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.