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.
Contempt
The Books Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes.
-And my thighs too?
Also.
Very.
-Do you like my face too?
Yes, I love your face.
-Do you think I have a pretty backside?
Very pretty.
-What about my ankles, do you like them?
Yes, enormously.
-You like all of me, my mouth, my eyes, my nose, my ears?
-Me too, Paul.
The lyrics of this song are a conversation between a man and a woman they are in a relationship with. The woman is seeking validation and reassurance from her partner that he likes various aspects of her physical appearance, including her ankles, thighs, face, and backside. The man replies positively to each question, saying that he likes each of those features and finds them pretty or attractive. The conversation ends with the woman saying she loves everything about him as well.
The repetition of questions and answers creates a sense of insecurity and need for validation in the woman, while the man's responses reinforce the societal beauty standards that are placed upon women. The song highlights the pressure that women often feel to conform to these standards and seek approval from their partners. The title “Contempt” might imply that there is a sense of disdain or disgust towards this kind of superficiality, but it is not present in the lyrics themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
What about my ankles, do you like them?
I am seeking approval for specific parts of my body to validate my attractiveness.
And my thighs too?
I am seeking continued validation for other parts of my body.
Do you think they're pretty?
I am seeking confirmation that my body meets societal standards of beauty.
Do you like my face too?
I am asking for approval of a non-physical aspect of myself, suggesting that physical attractiveness and personality are linked.
Yes, I love your face.
The artist returns the requested validation/affirmation to maintain a positive interaction.
Do you think I have a pretty backside?
The singer continues to seek validation for their physical appearance, possibly due to societal pressures or personal insecurity.
What about my ankles, do you like them?
Repetition emphasizes the seeking of approval for specific body parts, continuing to link physical appearance with self-worth.
You like all of me, my mouth, my eyes, my nose, my ears?
The artist acknowledges that physical appearance is not limited to one aspect of their body, rather it is a combination of many features.
Me too, Paul.
The artist affirms their shared interest in one another, both physically and otherwise.
Contributed by Aiden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.