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.
Neighbors
The Dodos Lyrics
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Ruby's out there on the block
Chasing down her little dog
Calling out but he won't stop
'Cause he's sick of feeling stuck
Can't provide the things she wants
She won't handle when he's gone
Feeling further as he runs
I hope he does
Neighbor's out there in the yard
Doing pull-ups on his bar
Getting stronger, working hard
Gonna have a ahead start
Gonna look just like a star
Gonna go out stealing hearts
I hope he falls
I know them
They know me
They're the ones
That I see
Everyday
Probably
We don't smile
We don't speak
Sammy's out there painting trees
Covering up the graffiti
Mumbling something through his teeth
About the kids out on the street
He won't leave it, let it be
Maybe they'll come back and see
Paint it over permanently
He'll go mad, he'll go crazy
I hope he does
I know them
They know me
They're the ones
That I see
Everyday
Probably
We don't smile
We don't speak
I know them
They know me
They're the ones
That I see
Everyday
Probably
We don't smile
We don't speak
Don't smile, don't speak
Don't smile, don't speak
Don't smile, don't speak
Don't smile, don't speak
Don't smile, don't speak (Oh)
Don't smile, don't speak
Don't smile, don't speak (Oh)
Don't smile, don't speak
Don't smile, don't speak
(Oh)
Don't smile, don't speak
Don't smile, don't speak (Oh)
Don't smile, don't speak
Don't smile, don't speak (Oh, oh)
"Neighbors" by The Dodos is a song that talks about the people in a neighborhood and their actions. The first verse talks about a girl named Ruby, who is chasing her dog on the block. She calls out to her dog, but he won't stop, feeling stuck and unable to provide what she wants. The singer hopes that the dog goes far, as the girl won't handle it well. The second verse talks about a neighbor who is working out in his yard, getting stronger and working hard to have a head start. The singer hopes that this neighbor falls, probably referring to the possibility of him becoming arrogant or losing the respect of others.
The third verse talks about Sammy, who is painting trees and covering up the graffiti left by kids in the area. He mumbles something through his teeth about the kids on the street but won't let it be. He hopes that the kids will come back and see the permanent paint, and he will go mad or crazy. The song is a commentary on the interactions people have in their neighborhoods, often without really knowing each other. They are neighbors who might see each other every day, but they don't smile or speak to one another.
The repetition of "we don't smile, we don't speak" after each verse reinforces the theme of disconnection between people who are physically close to each other. The song seems to suggest that there is a need for more understanding and interaction between people in neighborhoods.
Line by Line Meaning
Ruby's out there on the block
Chasing down her little dog
Calling out but he won't stop
'Cause he's sick of feeling stuck
Can't provide the things she wants
She won't handle when he's gone
He's getting free, he's going long
Feeling further as he runs
I hope he does
Ruby is chasing her dog, who won't listen to her because he's tired of being trapped. She wants more than what she has but can't handle being left alone, and her dog is trying to escape. The hope is that he finds what he's looking for.
Neighbor's out there in the yard
Doing pull-ups on his bar
Getting stronger, working hard
Gonna have a ahead start
Gonna look just like a star
Gonna go out stealing hearts
I hope he falls
The neighbor is working hard, determined to become the best version of himself, which could result in either success or failure. There is a hope for the latter, possibly to humble him.
I know them
They know me
They're the ones
That I see
Everyday
Probably
We don't smile
We don't speak
The singer is familiar with the people in the neighborhood, and they are familiar with him. However, they have become so disconnected, they no longer interact in a friendly manner.
Sammy's out there painting trees
Covering up the graffiti
Mumbling something through his teeth
About the kids out on the street
He won't leave it, let it be
Maybe they'll come back and see
Paint it over permanently
He'll go mad, he'll go crazy
I hope he does
Sammy is trying to fix and beautify the neighborhood, but he is angry and frustrated about the kids who vandalize the area. He doesn't want to leave it as is, hoping that the kids will see his work and stop vandalizing. However, the further he dives into his mission, the more it becomes an obsession, driving him to madness. The desire is for him to remain devoted to his goal.
Contributed by Connor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.