Glenn Mercer and Bill Million formed the band as The Outkids in 1976, and changed their name to The Feelies later that year. The band moved to New York and began receiving critical acclaim for their performances. By the 1978, the band consisted of Mercer, Million, basist Keith DeNunzio and drummer Anton Fier. The band released their debut single "Fa Cé-La", on Rough Trade Records in 1979.
In 1980, the band released their debut album, "Crazy Rhythms" on Stiff Records. Fier and DeNunzio left the band shortly after the release of the album, and the band was put on hiatus as Mercer and Million pursued other projects. The two continued to occasionally perform with other musicians as The Feelies throughout the early 1980's.
The band reformed in 1985 with a lineup consisting of Million, Mercer, Dave Wackerman, Brenda Sauter and Stan Demeski and released "The Good Earth" in 1986. The album was co-produced by R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck. The Feelies toured with Lou Reed and R.E.M. during 1986.
In 1988, the band released "Only Life" on A&M Records, and in 1991, released "Time for a Witness" on the same label. The band disbanded in 1992.
The band reunited in 2008 and toured with Sonic Youth, before beginning a schedule of festival dates throughout 2009 and 2010. The band released their fifth album, "Here Before", on Bar/None Records in 2011.
Decide
The Feelies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember so well
What ever happens
You can't ever tell
Waiting for someone
To arrive
Those old habits, yeah,
They never die
But your own
Held for ransom
Since the day you were born
Somebody always
makes you mad
Never remember
but you wish you had
Think about treating
everybody kind
Spread all the love, yeah,
that you find
Open your heart
and you won't be blind
Open your eyes
and you'll find the light
Find the light
Find the light
Decide
What side
You're on
The Feelies' song "Decide" is an introspective and reflective piece about nostalgia, personal responsibility, and self-determination. The opening lines "Those were the days, I remember so well, Whatever happens, You can't ever tell" sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the lyrics acknowledging the past but also recognizing that one cannot predict the future. The idea of "waiting for someone to arrive" can be interpreted as waiting for a situation or person to provide a sense of direction or purpose, rather than taking control of one's own life. The line "Those old habits, yeah, They never die" further emphasizes the theme of personal responsibility, with habits and patterns of behavior, both positive and negative, shaping one's life.
The song also touches upon the idea of interpersonal relationships and treating others with kindness and love, with lines such as "Think about treating everybody kind, Spread all the love, yeah, that you find." The chorus, "Decide, What side, You're on" can be interpreted as a call to action, encouraging the listener to make choices and take control of their life.
Overall, "Decide" is a thoughtful and introspective song that encourages listeners to take responsibility for their actions and relationships, and to make conscious choices about the direction of their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Those were the days
Reflecting on a happy past
I remember so well
Memories that are vivid and strong
What ever happens
Unknown future events
You can't ever tell
Uncertainty of what the future may hold
Waiting for someone
Anticipation of another's arrival
To arrive
Expectation for someone to show up
Those old habits, yeah,
Continuing with past behaviors
They never die
Old habits are hard to break
Nobody's problem, baby,
Taking responsibility for oneself
But your own
Not blaming others for one's problems
Held for ransom
Feeling trapped
Since the day you were born
Having this feeling for a long time
Somebody always
Someone who is always
makes you mad
Causing frustration or anger
Never remember
Forgetting important details
but you wish you had
Regretful of not remembering
Think about treating
Consideration for treating
everybody kind
Showing kindness to everyone
Spread all the love, yeah,
Sharing love and kindness
that you find
The love that you come across
Open your heart
Being open and vulnerable
and you won't be blind
Being receptive to new experiences
Open your eyes
Observing the world around you
and you'll find the light
Discovering positivity and hope
Find the light
Find positivity and hope
Find the light
Find positivity and hope
Decide
Making a conscious choice
What side
Which option to choose
You're on
Which path to follow
Contributed by Charlie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@danielcantor6755
Goddamn amazing. This song and album should be much more widely hailed by critics and fans.
@ealbor
totally agree
@jeffcarney3726
Amazing record. Ah friggin mayzing
@rallabhandiprabhakar4750
This is an amazing album .This is the most obscure album of a relatively unknown but very influential band that predated the alternative rock sound
@jeffcarney3726
Couldn’t agree more.
@FMDad-dm5qo
Rocks drastically harder than Only Life (itself a good album)
@serboterrorist
Soo good! 😭😃👌🔥🔥
@marcrosen3958
I love everything about this, British Pub rock ish, I could play this all day long! thank you
@FMDad-dm5qo
It’s funny how they went through a decade of sounding Velvets influenced, but in their own angular guitar-Mass post punk way, and then for this late, excellent album they just straight up became the Velvets, take up the mantle, fill the shoes. This would fit in seamlessly on either of the last two VU albums. #BecomeWhatYouAre
@rachelsonfire
I laud this comment!