The band has released five studio albums: "Brave Worlds" (1987), "Submarine Bells" (1990), "Soft Bomb" (1992), "Sunburnt" (1996), "Silver Bullets" (2015) and "Snow Bound" (2018). The compilation "Kaleidoscope World" (1986) collects most of their single releases and EPs between 1980 and 1986.
The band is best known as apart of the Dunedin Sound style of indie pop music, which coalesced around the Auckland-based label Flying Nun Records. The band originally formed with the lineup of Martin Phillips (vocals, guitar), his sister Rachel Phillips (keyboards), Peter Gutteridge (guitar), Jane Dodd (bass) and Alan Haig (drums). By the time the band released their debut single "Rolling Moon" in 1982, the lineup had changed to Martin Phillips, Rachel Phillips, Terry Moore (bass), and Martyn Bull. The band disbanded when Bull died of leukemia in 1983.
After Martin Phillips reformed The Chills in 1984, the band never again had a constant lineup, with the only two members to last for more than two albums being bassist Justin Harwood and keyboardist Andrew Todd, who were both members of the group from 1986 to 1990. Terry Moore also rejoined the band sporadically between 1984 and 1992. The Chills disbanded in 1993, but reformed once more in 1995. Since then the band has sporadically toured and recorded.
Familarity Breeds Contempt
The Chills Lyrics
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I hared it the first time time time
Well, you won't stop by
And tell me what the trouble is
I couldn't care less, ha ha, but my double does
And he told me we're both superseded
So why not drop by, burst my bubble for me
So simple to be cynical
Respond to things with ease
Once an attitudes selected
Then behavior is a breeze
They think they've got it covered
But they've got it all wrong
Hard people make hard times far worse
Not the reverse
It's the contemporary trap
They want to tell you where it's at
When the past is thought irrelevant
Our destiny's black
For they've limited themselves
To an urbanite perspective
And the build-up, rear-down
Press-gang acid attack
Familiarity breeds contempt
And suppresses attempts
Familiarity breeds contempt
Sour seeds grown into stifling creepers
Bitterness feeds on a drive alive
And now my heart bleeds
Familiarity breeds contempt
And a row of resentments
Familiarity breeds contempt
And I'm not exempt
The lyrics to The Chills's song "Familiarity Breeds Contempt" touch on the theme of the dangers of becoming too comfortable with routine and the cynicism that can arise as a result. The song's narrator expresses annoyance with someone who keeps repeating themselves, and notes that while they themselves have become jaded, their "double" still cares enough to be bothered by problems. The lyrics then delve into the idea that once one has adopted a cynical attitude, it becomes all too easy to respond to things with ease and slip into negative behaviors. The trap of cynicism and societal narrow-mindedness is examined, as the singer notes that those who believe they have a handle on the way things are often get things wrong. The final lines of the song suggest the negative consequences of allowing familiarity and contempt to take hold, as the singer experiences heartbreak and a buildup of resentments.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't need to repeat it, repeat it
I heard what you said the first time and don't need to hear it again
Well, you won't stop by
And tell me what the trouble is
I couldn't care less, ha ha, but my double does
And he told me we're both superseded
So why not drop by, burst my bubble for me
I don't really care about your troubles, but my alter ego does. He says we're both outdated, so why not come by and bring me down?
So simple to be cynical
Respond to things with ease
Once an attitudes selected
Then behavior is a breeze
It's easy to be negative and cynical once you've decided to be. Your behavior will follow suit.
They think they've got it covered
But they've got it all wrong
Hard people make hard times far worse
Not the reverse
People who are hard on others actually make difficult times even harder, contrary to what they might think.
It's the contemporary trap
They want to tell you where it's at
When the past is thought irrelevant
Our destiny's black
Society wants you to believe that the present is all that matters, but if we disregard the lessons of the past, we're headed for doom.
For they've limited themselves
To an urbanite perspective
And the build-up, rear-down
Press-gang acid attack
Those who live in cities tend to have a narrow view of the world, and their negative attitude can spread like acid.
Familiarity breeds contempt
And suppresses attempts
When we become too familiar with something or someone, we begin to take them for granted and may not be motivated to improve the situation.
Sour seeds grown into stifling creepers
Bitterness feeds on a drive alive
And now my heart bleeds
Familiarity breeds contempt
And a row of resentments
Negative feelings can grow and take over like unwanted weeds until they consume you. Familiarity can lead to resentment and heartache.
Familiarity breeds contempt
And I'm not exempt
I too am not immune to the negative effects of familiarity breeding contempt.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: MARTIN JOHN JAMES PHILLIPPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind