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.
Enjoy Your Worries You May Never Have Them Again
The Books Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Voice Samples:
"[Cheers]. Eagle."
"Fault"
"65 Thursday."
“Because I – just, he kept calling me at night, all hours of the night, calling my husband, my brother, calling me every day; he's after me, and I – I was devastated I was without a job, without a salary, I was trying to get unemployment and I was told it first kicks in after a few weeks, and I was busy looking for another job, and I also have a heart condition, and I told him I have a heart condition, I said, ‘Here take a few dollars, I'm sorry this happened to you, just – but just leave me alone, I'm not the person who, deposited the check.'â€Â
"I love you. I LOVE you."
"Rainbow. All the music is the rainbow."
The Books’s song “Enjoy Your Worries You May Never Have Them Again” is unique in that there are no actual lyrics sung by the band - instead, the song is a collage of found sound and spoken word samples. These various clips are pieced together to form a kind of abstract narrative that offers glimpses into different people’s lives and experiences.
The opening sounds of clinking glasses and a friendly “cheers” set a relaxed and celebratory tone, but this quickly shifts as other voices are introduced. The sample of a man saying “fault” suggests a note of blame and negativity. The voice of a woman discussing her struggles with a stalker implies anxiety and fear. Amidst all this, the repeated phrase “enjoy your worries, you may never have them again” takes on an ironic and almost sarcastic tone - a message of false optimism against a backdrop of stressful and worrying situations.
The overall effect of the song is dreamlike and disorienting, as the snippets of sound and speech blend together into a surreal soundscape. Rather than having a clear message or meaning, the song seems to be inviting listeners to create their own interpretations based on the emotions and associations that the different samples evoke.
Line by Line Meaning
[Cheers]. Eagle.
Celebrating a toast, like a group of people at a bar who lift their glasses and say 'cheers,' followed by an exclamation of triumph or cheerfulness.
Fault
An acknowledgment or declaration of being responsible for an error or mistake.
Gentlemen, good luck.
A farewell or blessing said to a group of men, wishing them success and prosperity.
65 Thursday.
A non sequitur or meaningless phrase, likely included for its rhythmic or musical value, rather than conveying any specific message or significance.
Because I – just, he kept calling me at night, all hours of the night, calling my husband, my brother, calling me every day; he's after me, and I – I was devastated I was without a job, without a salary, I was trying to get unemployment and I was told it first kicks in after a few weeks, and I was busy looking for another job, and I also have a heart condition, and I told him I have a heart condition, I said, 'Here take a few dollars, I'm sorry this happened to you, just – but just leave me alone, I'm not the person who, deposited the check.'
Describing a situation in which an individual is being hounded or harassed by someone, making it difficult for them to manage their daily responsibilities, including work and health issues, culminating with an attempt to provide financial compensation in exchange for ending the harassment.
I love you. I LOVE you.
Expressing a strong emotional attachment to someone or something, with the repetition emphasizing the intensity and sincerity of the feeling.
Rainbow. All the music is the rainbow.
Describing music as diverse and inclusive, reflecting the full spectrum of human emotions and experiences, much like a rainbow showcasing a range of colors and hues.
Contributed by Alexis F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.