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.
An Owl With Knees
The Books Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leave, withdraw
Drink ink tea
Stay with me
Fame stay shy
By way of why
Wait, lie low
Read. Read on
Read, read on
Breathe, be calm
You're gone, gone on
it's strange to see how time agrees to slow
down for owls with knees.
Read. Read on
Read, read on
Breathe, be calm
You're gone, gone on
The Books's song "An Owl with Knees" has evocative and symbolic lyrics that seem to be open to multiple interpretations. The first stanza seems to involve some kind of ritualistic or symbolic action, where the singer is asking someone to eat rye straw and drink ink tea. These actions seem to represent some kind of withdrawal from the world or internal transformation, with the singer asking the other person to stay with them. The second stanza is more enigmatic, with the singer invoking the concept of fame but asking it to "stay shy." This could suggest a desire for privacy or humility. The "old ones' odd odes" may refer to a tradition of poetry that challenges mainstream norms in some way.
The repeated lines "Read on, breathe, be calm, you're gone" are perhaps the most straightforward and poignant in the song, suggesting a kind of acceptance of mortality or the passing of time. The closing lines "it's strange to see how time agrees to slow down for owls with knees" create a powerful metaphor, suggesting that those who are able to embrace strangeness or paradox (like an owl with knees, which does not actually exist) may be able to defy the usual rules of time and space.
Overall, the meaning of the song seems to be about the search for meaning and transformation in an uncertain world, with the various symbols and images used to invite the listener to consider what role they play in this process.
Line by Line Meaning
Eat rye straw
Take in something that may not be the most appealing or nourishing.
Leave, withdraw
Remove oneself from a situation or environment.
Drink ink tea
Consume something that may be harmful or detrimental.
Stay with me
Remain close or connected to something or someone.
Fame stay shy
Being popular or well-known does not necessarily equate to happiness or contentment.
By way of why
Questioning the reasons behind actions or decisions.
Wait, lie low
Being patient and not drawing attention to oneself.
Old ones' odd odes
Traditional and unconventional songs or poems from the past.
Read. Read on
Continue to educate oneself and gain knowledge.
Read, read on
Further emphasizing the importance of reading and self-improvement.
Breathe, be calm
Taking a moment to relax and center oneself.
You're gone, gone on
Accepting the reality that someone or something has passed or ended.
It's strange to see how time agrees to slow
Down for owls with knees.
Reflecting on how time seems to move slower for unusual or improbable things.
Contributed by Evelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.