The Feelies are an underground post-punk band which formed in 1976 in Haled… Read Full Bio ↴The Feelies are an underground post-punk band which formed in 1976 in Haledon, New Jersey, United States. The band currently consists of Glenn Mercer (vocals, guitar), Bill Million (vocals, guitar), Brenda Sauter (bass), Dave Weckerman (drums) and Stan Demeski (drums). The band has released five albums, "Crazy Rhythms" (1980), "The Good Earth" (1986), "Only Life" (1988), "Time for a Witness" (1991) and "Here Before" (2011).

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.

Here Before
The Feelies Lyrics

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Everything looks familiar
Like I've been here before
Another one in a million
Another knock on the door

Slowing down, turn the corner
See the world flying by
Didn't say it was easy

Never said we didn't try

Take a look around
Turn another way
It's not like before
Not like yesterday

It's okay
It's alright

Another day
Another night

Overall Meaning

The Feelies's song Here Before presents a contemplative perspective on the cyclical nature of life. The singer describes a feeling of déjà vu, as though everything they are seeing is familiar and they have been here before. This sense of repetition can be seen as a metaphor for the patterns and routines that we experience in life. The singer then alludes to the idea of chance - another knock on the door - which can throw us off our predictable paths and force us to confront change.

The chorus offers a mantra of acceptance and reassurance. "It's okay, it's alright" can be read as a soothing reminder to keep moving forward, even when life feels repetitive or difficult. The final lines of the song offer no resolution, but instead suggest that life's pattern will continue. Another day, another night. The song ends where it begins, suggesting that these feelings of familiarity, change, and acceptance will always be a part of our existence.

Line by Line Meaning

Everything looks familiar
All surroundings appear to be known to me

Like I've been here before
I have a strong feeling of having already experienced this place

Another one in a million
This event or experience is just one of many similar ones

Another knock on the door
This is yet another attempt to achieve something

Slowing down, turn the corner
I am taking a break and changing my direction

See the world flying by
I am observing how fast-paced everything seems to be

Didn't say it was easy
I didn't claim that this would be a simple task

Never said we didn't try
I did make an effort to accomplish something

Take a look around
I am examining my surroundings

Turn another way
I am considering an alternative path

It's not like before
This is different than my previous experiences