1. an indie folk ba… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least three bands called The Dodos.
1. an indie folk band from San Francisco, CA, United States, formed in 2005
2. a short-lived British punk/rock band that evolved out of Swansea punk band The Urge in 1979
3. a short-lived British rock band that relelased one single in 1967
1. The Dodos are an indie folk band from San Francisco, CA, United States, formed in 2005. Almost all of their albums (except the very first one) are credited to Dodos (without 'The'), but they made their recording début as The Dodos and are listed as such on streaming platforms, which is why most of their scrobbles end up here. The Dodos is the preferred spelling. The band has two core members: Meric Long (vocals, guitar) and Logan Kroeber (drums). They have released eight studio albums since mid-2006: Beware of the Maniacs (2006), Visiter (2008), Time to Die (2009), No Color (2011), Carrier (2013), Individ (2015), Certainty Waves (2018) and Grizzly Peak (2021).
2. Having evolved in late 1979 out of Swansea punk band The Urge, The Dodos were named after the ephedrine-laced asthma tablets, consisting of Dickie Evans (vocals), Phil Roberts (guitar), Anthony Reed (bass) and Steve 'Gagsy' Garland (drums). They contributed a song (1981's 'Blind To Fiction') to a rare compilation called Sex, Violence and the Eternal Truth.
3. The Dodos were a very short-lived British rock band of the late 1960s. They released just one single: 'I Made Up My Mind' b/w 'Can't Make It Out' (Polydor, 1967). Both sides were penned by the band's main songwriter, Alan Hawkshaw.
Beards
The Dodos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can subtly pose it
You can wear it how you like, I know you will
They are taking over
It's on every other
It will tell a story like the ones you read
I will never have one
It would grow in sparse and light
It would be an ugly sight, so please
Don't look upon my face
Don't look upon my face
And grow it out until it comes to standing still
Join the crowd of aging beards a'many
They are looking at me
They are looking at me
Through those beady eyes
They're thinking what they will
They will keep them safe and warm
From the cold of other's charm, I warn
Don't look upon that face
Don't look upon that face
And grow it out until you found your inner peace
Join the crowd of aging beards a'many
The Dodos' song "Beards" seems to describe the cultural phenomenon of beards being in vogue. The song can be read as commentary on the trend, noting that beards can be worn in different ways to create a specific image. The song has a slightly ominous tone, implying that beards may be taking over and that they have the power to tell a person's story. The lyrics also suggest a divide between those who have beards and those who do not, with the singer expressing embarrassment over not being able to grow one. They feel self-conscious about their inability to join the crowd of aging beards a'many, who seem to be looking at them through "beady eyes" and judging them for their lack of facial hair. In the end, the lyrics seem to warn against judging others based on appearances.
The use of beards as a symbol in this song is interesting because it speaks to a larger cultural trend. Beards have come in and out of fashion over the years, but they have had a particularly long and widespread resurgence in the past decade or so. The Dodos' commentary on the trend is subtle and nuanced, and it is unlikely that the song was meant to be taken as a direct criticism of beards. Instead, the song seems to be a playful commentary on societal pressure to conform to certain aesthetic standards.
Line by Line Meaning
You can hide behind it
A beard can be an opportunity to alter one's appearance and hide behind it
You can subtly pose it
A beard can provide a subtle way to express oneself and convey personality
You can wear it how you like, I know you will
A beard allows one to customize style and personalize it
They are taking over
Beards are becoming more popular and widespread
It's on every other
Almost everyone has or is growing a beard
It will tell a story like the ones you read
The way someone wears their beard can communicate a story about who they are
I will never have one
The singer has no intention of growing a beard
It would grow in sparse and light
The artist's facial hair wouldn't grow thick or full
It would be an ugly sight, so please
The artist's beard would not look good and they would prefer not to have one
Don't look upon my face
The artist is uncomfortable with others observing their facial hair or lack thereof
And grow it out until it comes to standing still
Beards take time to grow, and eventually will stop growing at a certain length
Join the crowd of aging beards a'many
Many people grow beards as they age
They are looking at me
Others are observing and taking notice of the singer
Through those beady eyes
The singer perceives others as judgmental or critical
They're thinking what they will
Others may have opinions or preconceived notions based on the presence of facial hair
They will keep them safe and warm
Beards can provide warmth and comfort in cold weather
From the cold of other's charm, I warn
The artist is wary of others who may use their charm to manipulate or deceive him
And grow it out until you found your inner peace
Some people find growing a beard helps them cultivate inner peace or self-awareness
Join the crowd of aging beards a'many
Beards are often associated with older generations
Contributed by Gianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Luper
Definitely one of my all time favorite dodos songs...
Zack Lark
I wish I had a story to tell, to make my own, that was my own, but I am just a person, regular and unnoticed by the masses, maybe one day when I am old and feeble my story might come to me with greatness.Some day I might stop being so despicably hopeful of a story that is mine.
CloudWindFaker
I started growing my beard when my girlfriend broke up with me last christmas. it's growing on me. :)
Dainty Canadian
well sir i must say from your picture you have a glorious beard.
Henry Todd
This reminds me of the music in the Pixar's "Up" montage
anna rose
who's the one person who didn't like this
Mike Morales
indeed it is growing on you. if it weren't i'd be a bit scared
David Yazzie
Whos that 1 person tbat didnt like this????